September 12, 2007

What Do Cows and Hot Tubs Have in Common?
Surely you’ve heard of “Beef. It’s what’s for dinner.” Click here to see what’s possible when an industry comes together to promote itself.

On September 20 in San Diego, the hot tub industry will determine if it will follow the beef industry, GoRVing, and DiscoverBoating campaigns and be the next successful industry movement. If you’re a hot tub manufacturer or a supplier to this industry, this is a meeting you won’t want to miss! Contact Lauren Stack if you plan to attend.

Attention, Golfers! Tee Off on Expo Week with APSP
APSP is partnering with Great Golf Events to present a first-class golf tournament on Monday, November 26, 2007 leading into the International Pool & Spa Expo activities. Proceeds will benefit the APSP’s Government Relations Advisory Committee (GRAC) to enhance our effectiveness in lobbying and regulatory efforts. The event will be held at ChampionsGate golf course–located 4 miles from the Orlando Convention Center. This course is hosting the nationally televised PGA Father/Son Invitational the following weekend, so the greens and fairways will be in top form. Your participation is welcome; your support of GRAC, appreciated. Click here to register to play or sponsor.

H-2B Fly-in Supports Returning Worker Exemption
On September  6, more than 250 pool and spa business owners, landscapers, seafood packers, hoteliers, and restaurateurs met for the sixth H-2B Fly-in in Washington, DC, to support the Save Our Small & Seasonal Businesses Act of 2007, S.988/H.R.1843. This bill would extend the H-2B exemption—due to end September 30—that exempts returning seasonal foreign workers from counting against the annual 66,000 visa cap on new foreign workers. The bill would make it much more likely that pool and spa businesses can hire or rehire foreign workers in 2008. MORE.

AQ is on the Way!
APSP Quarterly, a new quarterly magazine for members, will appear at the International Pool & Spa Expo in November, and shortly afterward in your mailbox. Consistent with APSP’s mission and strategic plan, AQ will be a source of industry insights and trends, serve as a key benefit of membership, and drive new members to the organization. Our publisher, Naylor, LLC, brings 38 years of experience with trade organization publications to the partnership. For information about advertising, please contact Jason White at 770.810.6970 or jawhite@naylor.com. Or click here to access our online media kit.

Iraqis Cling to Club Pool for Normalcy – A CNN Story
The sectarian violence in Iraq has levied an extreme physical and emotional toll on its native people. Families and friends seek and find comfort by gathering poolside to reflect on better days and kindle hope for their return.
Click here to read the CNN article and view the touching video.

Do You Help Others? Let us Know
The APSP has many members who are involved in helping those who are less fortunate. We would like to learn how these members are donating their time, expertise, goods, and services to the many nonprofit organizations and needy individuals and families around the country. We wish to profile the accomplishments of several charitable APSP members at the International Pool & Spa Expo and other industry events. MORE.

Register for the APSP Volunteer Leadership Forum
Plan to attend the APSP Volunteer Leadership Forum (formerly the APSP Networking Conference) in Alexandria, VA, October 25-27, 2007. The Forum is open to all APSP members who are active–or want to be active–in association efforts to support our industry, grow membership, and increase consumer confidence. The event is FREE for all members. For more information or to register, click here.

CBP Recognition Dinner to Feature CBP of the Year Award
The APSP Builders Council is planning a CBP Recognition Dinner Tuesday, November 27, 2007, 6 pm to 8 pm, in conjunction with the International Pool & Spa Expo. The dinner will be held at the Orange County Convention Center, Room S230-C/D, in Orlando, FL. The Council invites all current CBP Certified Building Professionals® for an evening in their honor, with a complimentary dinner and an educational presentation by Vance Gillette, Executive Vice President of Jandy Pool Products. MORE.

IC Lite: “Professor Splash” Goes for World’s Record
Death-defying high-diver Darren Taylor of Denver, known as “Professor Splash,” expects to appear in the Guinness Book of World Records any day now. Taylor is the world-champion kiddie pool diver, having jumped from 35 feet, 2 inches into a kiddie pool filled with only 12 inches of water, the Rocky Mountain News reported August 17. (Kids, don’t try this at home!) Taylor made the jump July 25 for a Tokyo TV daredevil competition called “The World's Supermen.”

Wishing all our Jewish members a good and sweet Year.
- The IC Team

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