There was no getting around it: A COVID-19 resurgence and a holiday weekend combined to diminish attendance at the Desert Pool and Spa Show, which took place at the Phoenix Convention Center from April 14-16.

The show, which has been drawing large crowds since its inaugural event in 2008, was hit by a double whammy this year. Originally scheduled for Jan. 9-11, show organizers were forced to come up with an alternate date when COVID’s Omicron variant emerged earlier this year and the City of Phoenix cancelled large group gatherings. The only available replacement dates happened to coincide with Easter, Passover, and Ramadan, which understandably reduced attendance.

According to show organizer Bill Goosen, just 400 pool professionals attended this year’s event, down from their 2020 record year of 1,900 attendees, which took place just before the pandemic began.

About 50 exhibitors were present at the show and provided seminar content.

Those who did attend were treated to tons of giveaways and cash prizes.

Eugene LeMans, a pool owner who attends the show every year, went home with a free Piranha pool brush and a nifty straw hat.

The show’s lucky winners each went home with $500 gift certificates from Best Buy.

Region 8 of the Independent Pool and Spa Service Association puts on the Desert Pool and Spa Show, which focuses on bringing together pool service professionals and pool manufacturers alongside product representatives in the industry.

Look forward to next year’s show, scheduled for Jan. 19-21, 2023, at the Phoenix Convention Center.

2022 Desert Pool & Spa Show Winners!