For Floridians, pools and spas are a way of life. Of the top states for inground pool ownership, Florida ranks second — making it a hotbed for pool and spa professionals, each of whom need to stay on the cutting edge to succeed. That's why each February, these professionals pack their bags and head to Orlando for the annual Everything Under the Show Expo, presented by the Florida Swimming Pool Association.
So far, show organizers say it's going to be a big one.
"The show is on track to be the largest show we've had since the economy turned a few years ago," says Wendy Parker Barsell, show manager and executive director of the Florida Swimming Pool Association.
Of course, with a bigger show comes more events and activities to keep attendees busy. New this year is the addition of conversation cafes, four designated spaces for builders, retailers, service pros and commercial-focused professionals. In these areas, a facilitator will lead attendees in lively roundtable discussion about pressing industry subjects.
"It's place where people can sit down and talk about the issues that affect them everyday," Parker Barsell says. "The goal is to learn from each other how to solve problems."
The Friday night industry party is moving to a new location this year: Lafayette's, conveniently located at Pointe Orlando. Just $35 will get you live music, food and an open bar. You can register to attend while purchasing tickets or by dropping by the FSPA booth at the show.
Education is always a high priority at the Everything Under the Sun Expo, as Floridian pool and spa pros must attend classes to both earn and maintain their licenses. With that in mind, the Expo has a full schedule of 70 classes, almost half of which are new.
"We always try to keep that as timely as we can with the latest technology so everyone can stay up to date," Parker Barsell says. Even better: Members of FSPA and their employees can take classes at the show for free.
Other events include the Solar Power Open Golf Tournament on Thursday and the Welcome and Awards Reception held later that night. The reception, which is held on the show floor, honors the winners of the annual FSPA Design Awards.
Overall, things are looking up for the Everything Under the Sun Expo — and Florida's pool and spa industry as a whole.
"Things are really happening now, Parker Barsell says. "Florida pools are being built and remodeled, and I think this is a great place to get together and keep it rolling."
Wednesday, February 10
8 AM - 5 PM
Florida Public Pool Specialist Day One (16 hour course)
Room: W203A
Thursday, February 11
8 AM - 4:50 PM
Customer Service - Giving the Customer What They Want. Room: W203B
8 AM - 5 PM
Florida Public Pool Specialist Day Two (16 hour course) NEW
Room: W203A
10 AM - 10:50 AM
General Liability Basics for Pool and Spa Service VGB & Beyond, Room: W101B
Workplace Safety: The Impact of Accidents, Room: W101A
10 AM - 11:50 AM
Maximizing Tax Deductions Through Customized Retirement Plans (Business Practice), Room: W102A
10 AM - 3 PM
Golf Tournament, Falcon's Fire Golf Club
11 AM - 11:50 AM
Fleet Safety and Risk Management, Opportunities and Impact, Room: W101A
Workers' Compensation Update, Room: W101B
12:30 PM - 2:20 PM
Green Technologies for Commercial Pools and Spas, Room: W101B
Water Testing Methods, Interferences & Techniques, Room: W101A
12:30 PM - 3:20 PM
OSHA Training for Service Contractors, Room: W102A
2:30 PM - 3:20 PM
Retail Store Basics for Success, Room: W101A
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
FBC Advanced Module: Entrapment Protection, Room: W101B
3:30 PM - 4:20 PM
Chapter 489 - An Overview of Contractors Responsibilities, Room: W102A
6:30 PM - 8 PM
Welcome Reception, Room: Hall A1-A2
Friday, February 12
8 AM - 8:50 AM
Basic Electrical Requirements for Pools and Spas, Room: W108
Clean Light Technology - Using UVC to Reduce Chemical Usage, Room: W105B
Source Water: Fit To Drink Doesn't Mean Ready To Swim, Room: W102B
Store Layout and Design, a Plan for Success, Room: W105A
Understanding Basic Hydraulics, Room: W104B
8 AM - 9:50 AM
Blue Water, "Green" Equipment, Room: W102A
Managing Salt Chlorine Generator Issues for Your Staff, Room: W101B
Solar Pool Heating: 10 Best Practice and Lessons Learned, Room: W104A
Succession Planning - Keep the Business Alive, Room: W103B
Water Features & Effects for Swimming Pools, Room: W103A
Water Testing and Treatment Myths Exposed, Room: W101A
9 AM - 9:50 AM
Construction Contracts, Room: W108
Ozone and Germicidal UV: A Synergistic Approach, Room: W105B
Retail in the Age of Technology, Room: W105A
9 AM - 10:50 AM
Public Pools Navigating FBC and DOH Regulations, Room: 104B
Swimming Pool Energy Audits, Room: W102B
10 AM - 10:50 AM
Commercial Subcontract Agreements, Room: W108
Evolution of Contractors' Professional & Pollution Liability, Room: W104A
10 AM - 11:50 AM
Basic Business Planning: Take Your Business to the Next Level, Room: W105A
Communication Styles - Increasing Employee Productivity, Room: W103B
FBC Advanced Module: ANSI-15 and ANSI-7 Flow Requirements and TDH, Room: W105B
Heat Pump Diagnosing and Troubleshooting, Room: W101B
Hot Water Chemistry and Testing, Room: W101A
Oxidation Reduction Potential ORP, Room: W102A
Variable Speed Pumps: Programming for Maximum Efficiency, Room: W103A
11 AM - 11:50 AM
Exploring the Relationship Between pH and Total Alkalinity, Room: W102B
Fleet Safety Management Fundamentals, Room: W104A
Integrating GPS, Pool Service and the Customer, Room: W108
Solar Contractor Licensing in Florida, Room: W104B
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Jandy Pro Series JXi Pool and Spa Heater, Trouble Shooting and Repair - Zodiac Pool
Systems, Inc., Room: Learning Lab 1
Universal H-Series Gas Heater - Hayward Pool Products, Room: Learning Lab 2
1:30 PM - 2:20 PM
DBPR-CILB Laws and Rules, Room: W108
2 PM - 3 PM
AquaLink 2.0; Web-based Control Made Easy - Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. Room: Learning Lab 1
New V-Flex - Hayward Pool Products, Room: Learning Lab 2
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Motors: Saving time and money with new technology and simple on site routine - Century, A Regal Brand, Room: Learning Lab 2
6:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Private Industry Party, Lafayette's at Point Orlando
Saturday, February 13
8 AM - 8:50 AM
Algae - The Ugly Truth, Room: W105A
Dive Into Solar Pool Heating, Room: W102B
From Construction to Technology, Room: W105B
Leadership and Winning as a Team, Room: W108
Workers' Compensation for the Swimming Pool Industry, Room: W103A
8 AM - 9:50 AM
Demand Service Management, Room: W101B
Excavation Safety, Room: W103B
Hydraulics for the Pool and Spa Professional, Room: W101A
Phosphate Control & Organic Management, Room: W104B
The Fair Labor Standards Act: Wage and Hour Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them, Room: W104A
Water Chemistry & Testing 101, Room: W102A
9 AM - 9:50 AM
ENERGY STAR Certified Pool Pumps Save Thousands, Room: W105B
How to Prevent Pool Popping Accidents, Room: W103A
Prescription Opioid Abuse: Risk Factors and Solutions, Room: W108
Winning the Customer Experience, Room: W102B
9 AM - 10:50 AM
Salt Pools 101, Room: 105A
10 AM - 10:50 AM
Chapter 489 - Prohibitions and Penalties, Room: W108
Frequently Overlooked Insurance Coverages and Policies, Room: W103A
Prevention and Removal of Stains and Discoloration, Room: W102A
Winning in Today's Competitive Market, Room: W104A
10 AM - 11:50 AM
Advanced Hydraulic Design for Custom Pools and Spas, Room: W103B
Cash Flow vs. Accounting - Where's the Money Going? Room: W101B
Convert Existing Pools to Multiple Speed Pumps and Controls, Room: W102B
Electricity for the Pool and Spa Professional, Room: W101A
Leading Edge Swimming Pool Hydraulics (Drains not Required), Room: W104B
11 AM - 11:50 AM
FBC Advanced Module: Swimming Pool Updates, Room: W108
My Service Truck: Is It Safe? Room: W102A
Understanding Biofilm, Room: W104A
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
HydroRite UV Ozone for Commercial & Residential Pools - Hayward Pool Products Room: Learning Lab 2
2 PM - 3 PM
OmniLogic Sales and Installation - Hayward Pool Products, Room: Learning Lab 2
