Pool Tradeshows: What the North & South have to offer Pool Pros By: Lauren Broom
The 2022-‘23 pool trade show season is in full swing. Recently, I was able to attend two different trade shows to see what the North and South both have to offer their local pool pros. The education and vendors at both shows offered many positive interactions for our pool professionals. Both shows are a must for any pool pro to attend. Make it sooner rather than later!
In the North… January 2023 NESPA: The Pool & Spa Show in Atlantic City, NJ
This particular trade show has the reputation of being the largest show in the country. My adventure began by flying from Orlando to Atlantic City, NJ. I had to brave some of the coldest temperatures my Florida body has endured in recent years, but it was well worth it.
I understand I was lucky to get a direct flight to Atlantic City; most people fly into Philadelphia and then drive an hour to get to the show. I taught a two-day pre-conference OSHA 10 in General Industry course that is brand new to pool pros. In fact, this was the first time I had taught this course for a pool trade show.
Monday night, I attended the opening party for attendees. There was free food, drinks, a band, and great company. The trade show opened on Tuesday morning, and I only had two hours to get through the largest pool trade show floor I have ever seen! Let’s just say, only half of that show floor was traversed by my little feet. So many awesome vendors and pool industry friends to see and limited time.
This show is a must for any pool pro who wants a different educational experience and to meet others in a different region of the country. There were so many people there that I have never met, but they recognized me from social media. It was so neat to be recognized by the northern pool pros!
In the South… February 2023 FSPA: Everything Under the Sun, Orlando FL
The southern trade show had warm temperatures and lots of hands-on training to offer. This trade show is the largest pool show in the southeastern United States. Fortunately, this trade show is in my “neck of the woods.” I was able to drive back and forth on both days. There was no teaching for me at this trade show, but I was a student in four awesome classes. The instructors were
Lauren Broom is a Certified Pool Operator Course, CPO , instructor and a former health inspector for the Florida Department of Health. Lauren has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and is a registered sanitarian.
She has 16-years of experience in commercial pool inspections and waterborne disease outbreak investigations.
Lauren lives in Palm Bay, Florida with her husband of 17 years and their 3 children.
Lauren can be reached at spacecoastpoolschool@yahoo.com
Lauren Broom so knowledgeable, and I walked away learning something new.
Another big difference for me at this trade show was going LIVE with the Let’s Talk About Pools podcast on my first day there. I interviewed many pool vendors, who highlighted their products online to those who could not attend. Many attendees found me on the show floor and were interviewed on the live podcast. It was nice to put a face to their names on social media.
