April 9, 2008

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Builders Council Meeting Focuses on Educational Plans for 2008
The APSP Builders Council held its first meeting of the year March 26 at APSP headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. Reports were given on the success of the APSP Advanced Pool Builder Program, the CBP Recognition Dinner, and the CBP of the Year Award. In addition, a progress report was given on development of the next edition of the Builders Manual. The Builders Council also discussed plans for the 15th annual Live Workshops, educational demonstrations to be given November 18-20 at the Expo in Las Vegas.

The current officers of the Builders Council are: Bob Tomlinson (Chairman), Joe Vassallo (Vice Chairman), Tommy Johnson (Past Chairman), Jeff Mitchell (Secretary), Guy Larsen (Division Director), and Gene Fields (APSP Chairman of the Board, ex officio). Other members of the Council are: Lew Akins, Dana Anderson, Bob Baron, Robert Blanda, Dick Covert, Jeff Fausett, Greg Howard, Ron Lacher, John Romano, John Salvo, and Rob Traugott. The chairman of the Builders Education Committee is Al Rizzo.

Here are some more detailed highlights from the March 26 meeting of the Builders Council:

• The Advanced Pool Builder Program, in addition to being offered at the Expo for each of the last four years, has now been taken "on the road" beginning at the 2008 Southwest Pool & Spa Show in Houston. This advanced educational curriculum for experienced pool professionals offers session topics on gunite and shotcrete, marketing and advertising, successful sales, exception contracting, industry standards, workmanship guidelines, vanishing edge and perimeter overflow pool designs, and how successful pool builders can stay competitive. Details about the Advanced Pool Builder Program for the 2008 International Pool Spa Patio Expo are expected this spring.

• The 2008 CBP Recognition Dinner, honoring the growing number of CBP Certified Building Professionals® in the organization, and the CBP of the Year, is scheduled to be held Monday, November 17, 6-8 pm, in Las Vegas. Applications for becoming a CBP are available from Bird Dawson (bdawson@APSP.org or 703.647.2543).

• Al Rizzo reported that the Builders Education Committee is in the process of completing its development of new educational content for the next edition of the Builders Manual.

• Michael Reed, of the APSP Career Institute's Board of Regents, gave a report on progress that has been made since the Board of Regents was first seated in January 2008. He explained that the Board of Regents is accountable for implementation, marketing, participation, and financial aspects of all APSP educational programs.

• The Builders Council discussed plans for the 15th annual Live Workshops, which will be offered at the 2008 Expo in Las Vegas. The Live Workshops, presented by the Builders Council and Service Council, include product-specific educational demonstrations of pool and spa construction techniques and troubleshooting tips. Exhibitors at the International Pool-Spa-Patio Expo are eligible to sponsor a demonstration of their product at the Live Workshops "demo site." Information about signing up for a demo is available from Tracy Beaulieu (tbeaulieu@hanleywood.com or 972.536.6366).

Future meetings of the Builders Council have been scheduled for Saturday, July 12 (Sacramento, California) and Friday, November 21 (Las Vegas, Nevada).

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