that this is a regional show, but we’ve got people nationwide that are participating,” Hickman said. “We’ve got live demos and hands-on training. People want to get educated, and they are investing in it, and there are plenty of opportunities to do so here.”
According to Ed Calafut of RollN-Vac, what is great about this show is that the people who attended are very serious about what they are doing. “They’re here for their business,” he said.
Fred Schweer of PoolRx also noticed the quality of those who attended the show.
“Lots of great service companies have been here: High-level owners and business people who are interested in being more efficient and saving money on their routes, so we’ve had a lot of interest in PoolRx,” Schweer said.
“The people coming to our booth were very inquisitive about all the new products that we have, and they’re all looking for information about how to grow their businesses,” said Raypak’s Pete Zaharuk. “That’s what we’re here for: To help our customers enhance the profitability of their businesses through innovation and new products.”
Kent Westfall of the National Plasterers Council said he loves the show because it has a strong emphasis on education, which is very important to him. As a pool start-up instructor, he said that he feels fortunate to be a part of that.
“Our start-up class on Monday was sold out,” Westfall said. “People want to learn.”
Nadia Beane, COO of Jack’s Magic, also noticed that the classes were absolutely full.
“Everyone was so attentive and so respectful,” Beane said. “I was really grateful for the opportunity.”
Ed Calafut with Larry Lawrence, Roll-N-Vac
Fred Schweer, PoolRx
Pete Zaharuk, Raypak Inc.
Kent Westfall & Randy Dukes, National Plasterers Council
Nadia Beane, Jacks Magic And Alicia Stephens of Biolab said that somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 people attended her class on algae.
“Everyone is concerned about using fewer chemicals and keeping everything balanced, because everything got so expensive, and they want to be as efficient as possible,” Stephens said. “Pool Perfect Max with Phosfree is the key to all of that.”
Like Stephens, Bret Petermann of APi Water said he’d also noticed a serious interest in maximizing efficiency.
“We make specialty chemicals,” Petermann said. “Everything we make is multifunctional, and we really try to maximize what you can get out of the existing equipment, chemicals, and programs that you’re using so they work symbiotically to help you get the most out of your pool as possible.”
Several manufacturers’representatives noted that their sales were through the roof. “Every lead is tremendous, said Blue Square’s Jeff Probus. “We look forward to coming back.”
Mark Schreiber, inventor of the Aqua Comb and the president of Aqua Comb Mi-Way Inc., said that there was a huge number of service professionals who attended the show for their education and he was able to sell a ton of product to them as well as to the retailers who attended.
“If they like your product, you are going to make good sales,” Schreiber said.
Everyone agreed that “the vibe was really upbeat” and the energy was high, a sentiment expressed by AQUASALT’s Susan Stevens.
“It’s been a thrill to be here,” said Lynn Deneen of E-Z Products. “We’ve had fun!”
Mike James and Bret Peterman, API Water
Don Smith and Jeff Probus, Blue Square Manufacturing
Donna and Mark Schreiber, Mi-Way Inc./Aquacomb
Ruby Januhowski & Susan Stevens, AQUASALT INC.
Bob Brooks and Lynn Deneen, E-Z Products
