December 12, 2007

The Washington Post- December 2, 2007
“Pool Safety Bill Caught Up In Senator’s Budget Crusade”
Bill Weber Interview
On the brink of becoming a law last month, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act was placed on hold once again by Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma due to budget concerns. As the highly debated topic continues to make headlines throughout the nation, the APSP continues to receive many media inquiries on the industry's position. Notably, a recent Washington Post article favorably quoted Bill Weber, gave positive recognition for the industry on entrapment issues, and clearly positioned APSP as a driver on pool industry regulations. To view the complete article, click here.

AQ–Your New APSP Quarterly Magazine
AQ (APSP Quarterly) is a new magazine published for you, the APSP member. The Winter 2008 issue of AQ marked the launch of the magazine, which was featured at the 2007 International Pool & Spa Expo in Orlando, Florida. Printed copies of AQ also have been sent to all APSP member organizations. AQ will be published four times each year.  MORE.

Elite Industry Professionals Honored at 2007 International Awards of Excellence Banquet
150 recipients of the APSP International Awards of Excellence were announced at a banquet at the International Pool & Spa Expo in Orlando, Florida, November 29, 2007. These prestigious annual awards are presented in more than 40 categories, recognizing the most beautiful, creative, and technologically advanced installations of pools, spas, hot tubs and water features across the United States and around the world. Judges consider application of trends in construction and advanced technology (vanishing edges, new materials, etc.) as well as superior workmanship and original design. MORE.

Got Consumer Research on Hot Tubs?  The Industry Needs It!
If you have consumer research that you’re willing to share in order to help the hot tub industry growth initiative save time and money in the start-up phase, please let Lauren Stack know by December 14. MORE.

APSP gathering information on ICC member code officials. You can help!
APSP would like to know which code officials in your area belong to the International Code Council (ICC) so we can reach out to them to enlist their support for the adoption of the ANSI/APSP-7 Standard into the International Residential Code. Please send the names and e-mail addresses of the code officials you work with to Carvin DiGiovanni. Your "grass roots" connections with these officials are precious to us. 

First Ever CBP of the Year Award Presented to Albert Rizzo
The Builders Council of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) presented its first “CBP of the Year” Award to Albert Rizzo, CBP Certified Building Professional®, of Rizzo Pool Company, Newington, Connecticut. The award was presented at the CBP Recognition Dinner held Tuesday, November 27, 2007, in conjunction with the International Pool & Spa Expo in Orlando, Florida. MORE.   

Save Small Business Crisis Update
About 700 pool, spa and hot tub business owners and others who depend on seasonal foreign workers flew to Washington, D.C., December 5-6, to meet with their senators and representatives in a final attempt to bring passage of the Save Small Business Act of 2007. MORE

APSP Publishes Technical Report on Preventing Suction Entrapment in Pools and Spas-- Report Includes New Testing Results
APSP has published an in-depth study in conjunction with the publication of its new national standard for suction entrapment avoidance, ANSI/APSP-7 2006, American National Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Catch Basins. Copies of the report are available on the APSP Web site: http://apsp.org/54/index.aspx. MORE

Region 2 Winter Activities
The Region 2 Central Virginia Chapter will host its annual New Products Expo December 13 at the Boar’s Head Inn in Charlottesville, Virginia. The event, which features a holiday buffet and a chance to speak directly with members’ regional representatives, costs $40 per person. Please contact Shirley Lester at 757.479.1667 or slester@apsp.org by 5 p.m. EST December 12 to make your reservations.

Region 2 will be conducting TECH I & TECH II classes in Ocean City, Maryland, February 18-22, 2008. Applications may be downloaded at www.apspregion2.org. Chapter meeting dates and other regional activities are also listed on the Web site.

You can contribute to IC. Click here to find out how, or send an e-mail to ic@APSP.org. You may also fax 703.549.0493.