CPSA
The California Pool & Spa Association (CPSA) is the only organization registered to lobby on behalf of the pool and spa industry in California, and the only organization that has consistently maintained a presence in the California Capitol with a proactive government relations program designed to monitor and engage on issues affecting the swimming pool and spa industry at all levels of government.
CPSA and its predecessor (SPEC) have been the voice of the swimming pool and spa industry in California for almost 40 years.
CPSA is the statewide umbrella trade association designed to promote the industry and to educate the public; local and state regulatory agencies; and, the California Legislature on critical issues such as water and energy conservation, water safety and child drowning prevention, consumer protection, and unlicensed contractor abatement.
They are currently fighting against efforts to ban or restrict the use of natural gas in new and renovated construction projects, which would eliminate the possibility of gas heaters and other gas appliances.
Beginning with the 2014 California drought, they have been fighting to keep the industry from being shut down with a statewide lobbying and public education campaign. The pool construction and remodeling industry would have suffered tremendously in California and, along with it, most of the sales of pools and spas and their related equipment.
Their recent affiliation with the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance has increased CPSA membership benefits substantially. See accompanying article about PHTA for extended benefits.
Members of the association include California’s swimming pool and spa builders, swimming pool and spa service companies, manufacturers and distributors, and other industry associations.
CPSA members have access to online and in-person training to strengthen their professional standing and relationships with consumers through better industry skills.
Members have the opportunity to find classes and training of interest on topics ranging from business management, proper pool maintenance, and advanced water chemistry to transporting hazardous materials, and more. Many of these topics are available as on-demand webinars.
CPSA also provides regular updates concerning advocacy efforts so that members can stay informed about legislation that may affect their businesses.
Becoming a member of the CPSA supports California’s pool and spa industry.
For more information or to become a member, visit www.cpsa.phta.org, email skregar@phta.org, or call 602-619-2129.
Florida Swimming Pool Association
The Florida Swimming Pool Association is the coordinating organization for 16 local FSPA Chapters.
FSPA provides government relations representation on behalf of its members to the Florida Building Commission and the Construction Industry Licensing Board as well as other legislative bodies that regulate the swimming pool industry in Florida such as the Department of Health.
The association provides educational courses for industry professionals, produces an annual industry trade show, and acts as the consumer resource for finding reliable professionals in the swimming pool industry.
FSPA members are swimming pool builders, swimming pool service professionals, swimming pool retail stores, and other professions related to swimming pools. All members must be properly licensed and insured and abide by the association’s Code of Ethics. The association was founded in 1959 and has 16 chapters across the state, which are broken down by county.
Statewide, its members are involved in their local community, sponsoring water safety events and fundraising for local charities, and actively advocate for the swimming pool industry.
FSPA is an approved course provider by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board (ECLB), and the Board of Landscape Architects (BOLA). Currently, it offers more than 100 continuing education courses on topics ranging from basic pool operation to business management. Many courses the association provides can be found at the annual Everything Under the Sun Expo. Continuing education courses are free to members.
Members enjoy tremendous benefits in addition to these extensive educational opportunities.
All FSPA members are listed in all categories that your scope of work applies to within the consumer search engine. Consumers choose a category and enter their ZIP code to see who they can call for their swimming pool needs. Only FSPA members get this extra advertising for their business.
FSPA offers free job posting to members searching to fill positions within their companies.
FSPA has negotiated special rates with AsktheSeal.com on criminal background checks as well as a special setup rate ($99, rather than the usual $1,000) for their Seal of Security and Confidence program, which distinguishes your company and your employees from inferior competitors. The Florida Swimming Pool Association endorsed insurance program provides competitive premiums, great service, knowledgeable underwriting and cash dividend payments for good performance. Through Insurance by Ken Brown, members are eligible for insurance programs designed specifically for the pool and spa industry. These programs include property and casualty, auto, hazardous materials coverage, employee dishonesty, workers compensation, and “pool popping.”
Having trouble collecting payment 1 1/25/23 1:50 PM on past-due accounts? Let FSPA’s affiliation with Transworld Systems Profit Recovery Services help you. Transworld’s recovery average is 56% at an average cost of 7 cents per dollar.
FSPA offers a Prescription Discount Card for its members and their pets. These cards are used outside of your insurance, so should your insurance no longer cover a prescription you can take this card into any participating pharmacy and see what savings are available.
FSPA members get discounts with Office Depot/OfficeMax, USPAY, 4imprint, FedEx, AccountingDepartment. com,andAvis/BudgetRentalCar.
The Florida Swimming Pool Association Scholarship Program is available to dependents of owners and employees of member companies. This program helps members meet the high cost of college expenses for their children and is presented by the Swimming Pool Education and Safety Foundation.
To learn more or become a member visit www.floridapoolpro.com or call 941-952-9293
Independent Pool and Spa Service Association
The Independent Pool and Spa Service Association is about camaraderie. IPSSA members are there to help each other with technical questions and repairs, with tips and tricks of the trade, and especially, in times of sickness or injury.
The cornerstone of IPSSA is their sick route coverage, a feature that transforms what could otherwise be a financially devastating situation into something much more manageable.
But the benefits of IPSSA membership gowellbeyondsickroutecoverage.
IPSSA publishes a monthly newsletter, the IPSSAN, that includes industry updates, technical tips, and educational articles.
The association has partnerships with educational training experts, such as Aquatic Facility Training and Consultants, where IPSSA members can get 10 percent off a CPO course. They’ve partnered with Educational Leverage, LLC, where members can be reimbursed up to $200 on certification courses such as CPO, AFO, ISPSC Orientation for Service and Repair, ISPSC for Pool Builders and Texas Residential Appliance Installer (RAIL).
They’ve also partnered with Pentair and offer a rebate program in which Pentair will reimburse IPSSA one dollar ($1.00) for each whole good that a member purchases throughout the year.
The benefits of IPSSA membership are extensive and also include:
• Educational opportunities through monthly chapter meetings.Industry leaders provide presentations, training, and assistance to members.
• Access to a network of professionals, educational materials, and opportunities.
• Access to the lowest cost group liability insurance in the industry.
• Networking opportunities with other local swimming pool and spa service professionals.
• Take advantage of being associated with the marketing and branding of the IPSSA name.
• Scholarship funds available for educational courses related to your business.
IPSSA’s membership is structured through chapters, and their members meet once a month to discuss industry news, share best practices and tip and tricks, and to otherwise network among friends.
In the spirit of brotherhood, most of these chapters are committed to community outreach programs with projects as diverse as donating to Toys-for-Tots, building pools for the disabled, and there are even chapters dedicated to caring for sea turtle aquariums in South Padre Island, Texas.
IPSSA has a long and involved history in the pool and spa industry. It represents a substantial percentage of the industry as a whole.
One of the biggest advantages of IPSSA membership is their endorsed insurance program, offered through Arrow Insurance Service, a division of HUB International. Arrow has been IPSSA’s insurance broker/ advisor since its inception in 1988, and its goal is to provide members lowcost coverage that’s the best in the industry and unavailable from other insurance providers.
Arrow offers IPSSA members General Liability coverage of $3 million with a low $500 deductible for property damage claims. There is no deductible for bodily injury claims. Higher liability limits are available, too. The insurance program also includes coverage for Haz-Mat spills, popped pool coverage, and a $1 million coverage for chemical injury or property damage claims. Members also have $50,000 group life insurance and $5,000 medical coverage if they are accidentally injured at the jobsite.
The insurance program also covers faulty workmanship claims, meaning you are covered for damages done to equipment or tile that is being worked on, including plaster damage caused by a bad start-up procedure. Arrow even covers carbon monoxide related claims as well as claims for cryptosporidium and e-coli, which most other insurance plans exclude under their “communicable disease exclusion”.
Pool technicians are sometimes asked their opinion regarding the swimming pool condition, which can lead to claims that most insurance companies also don’t cover. The IPSSA insurance program, however, includes Professional Liability coverage, which covers claims based on a faulty opinion.
Arrow also offers route income loss coverage due to disasters, which is a relatively new benefit. Members now have coverage if they lose an account because the pool is no longer serviceable due to wildfire, earthquake, hurricane, tornado, or flood.
And because pool techs sometimes make mistakes, Arrow recently added coverage to reimburse a customer for an excessive water bill resulting from an accidental overfill of the pool or spa, even if there is no resulting damage.
Optional coverage is available for members who remodel pools and perform janitorial services, as well as those who have offices, warehouses, and stores.
For more information or to become a member, go to www.ipssa.com
National Drowning Prevention Alliance
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives through drowning prevention and water safety efforts. The NDPA’s mission is: “United, we can prevent the TRAGEDY of drowning!” Drowning prevention is a complex public health issue requiring a multi-faceted approach through community education, scientific research and data, effective policy and codes, safety products, safety practices, and family support.
By becoming an NDPA member you or your organization will be contributing to the NDPA’s overall mission to prevent drowning and gain access to resources that advance drowning prevention. NDPA’s position is that drowning is preventable, and with your membership and support, members can work together to help save lives.
The NDPA offers two levels of membership: A free basic lifetime membership or a $100 premium membership.
Membership provides use of the NDPA logo, free access to resources from NDPA, access to more than 100 shareable images, infographics, videos, and more. Premium membership provides the NDPA with the resources they need to continue their work and provides members with discounts to the NDPA’s annual conference, as well as access to drowning databases with a wealth of studies, reports, literature, webinars, conference presentations, and more.
Every year, the NDPA puts on an educational conference to promote drowning awareness. Attendance at this conference is a great way to gain valuable insight on the best practices, latest research, newest technology, and critical knowledge covering all areas of water safety and drowning prevention. This year’s conference took place in February in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Look for details about the 2024 conference at watersafetyconference. com. NDPA is committed to prevent drowning and aquatic injuries by providing a forum to:
• Increase awareness through effective programs, messages, and resources to educate and engage the public.
• Advise, assist, and promote organizations, partners, chapters, and members who work to prevent drowning and aquatic injuries.
• Promote best practices and provide access to expert information, programs, training, and resources.
• Expand the organization’s reach and membership through effective alliances and education, both nationally and internationally.
• Ensure long-term sustainability of NDPA.
To learn more or become a member to support the important work that they do, go to www.ndpa.org, or call 800-757-9270.
National Plasterers Council
The National Plasterers Council is a trade association for pool plasterers that originated from the vision to “provide a voice and support for swimming pool plasterers.” They aim to give a voice to one industry and provide the research and expertise for those whose products or services are related to the pool resurfacing industry.
From its formation in 1988, the council has been focused on studying plaster surface problems and the writing of technically sound practices for the industry. The original Technical Manual was first published in partnership with — and under the umbrella of — the National Spa and Pool Institute in 1992. The first standalone National Plasterers Council Technical Manual was published in 1994. Updated versions were published in 1998 and 2002. Future editions will be printed as supplies dictate. In the mid ‘90s the council worked to produce educational videos for consumers that are also used as contractor’s sales tools.
The NPC can help connect potential pool owners with applicators, builders, manufacturers, and other tradespeople who participate in the swimming pool construction and pool resurfacing fields. Members of the NPC are provided with the knowledge and authority to be leaders in the industry and stay on top of what is cutting edge in the industry.
Their website features numerous technical bulletins on water chemistry, new pool start-ups, plastering, and more.
They also have an online on-demand start-up certification course that is discounted for NPC members. They have presence on Youtube, where members share technical expertise on plastering details. Two years ago, they launched a podcast, “Smooth Finish,” where they discuss pool and spa industry related topics such as the importance of start-up chemistry, winterization practices, and more.
They also recently started an “Ask the Expert” program, where pool pros and pool owners can submit questions regarding surface discoloration, staining, and deterioration.
The NPC hosts the most fabulous pool and spa industry event of the year at their annual conference. When you are not being treated to sumptuous lunches and dinners or attending parties in a different exciting city every year, you can expect a cutting-edge seminar schedule where you are sure to learn something new. Next year’s conference is scheduled for February 21-23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Education is the crux of what the NPC has to offer, and their annual conference is the key benefit of the education they provide.
Additional NPC membership benefits include:
• Ongoing research on “Hot Button” issues that impact your business.
• Membership directory and resource guide — in print and online.
• Networking and education at the annual conference.
• Start-up technician certification and recertification program.
• Rey Perales Memorial College Scholarship Program.
• NPC technical bulletins, news, and alerts.
• Expanded pool inspector referral program and ask the NPC technical support.
• Use of the NPC name and logo.
• Networking — meet great like-minded people, and exchange ideas.
• Group general liability, property, and equipment insurance coverage through Arrow Insurance/HUB International. Qualifying NPC members are eligible to receive a discounted rate.
• Splash Cash: Poolcorp gives qualifying customers back a certain percentage of dollars spent, which they can then put toward their NPC membership dues.
• Steep discounts at the NPC online store.
Membership pricing is $275 per year for pool service and repair professionals, $475 for plasterers and builders, and $800 for manufacturers and distributors.
To become a member or for more information go to www.npconline.com.
Northeast Spa & Pool Association
The Northeast Spa & Pool Association exists to advance the commercial interests of their members in the pool and spa industry. The association provides education, networking, and business support to meet the current and future needs of their membership
and the industry as a whole. They also serve as a resource for product and safety information for consumers.
In the late 1950s, members of the swimming pool industry in the northeast section of the U.S. banded together to form NESPA to address their collective needs. The organization was incorporated in 1958 and received its 501-C-6 status (Trade Association) from the IRS at that time. From the days of its founding, the organization has been continuously engaged in promoting and protecting its members and educating them and raising their levels of competency in all phases of business activity.
For more than 40 years, NESPA has been affiliated with the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) — now PHTA. NESPA consist of four chapters – CONSPA (covering Connecticut), Long Island, Metro NY-NJ, and PennJersey. Members include service companies, builders and installers, distributors, retail stores, manufacturer’s agents, manufacturers, independent pool and spa service companies, and subcontractors.
NESPA is the owner and producer of The Pool & Spa Show (formerly The Atlantic City Pool & Spa Show), one of the swimming pool industry’s largest events. The show draws an estimated 11,000 people to Atlantic City for 4 days of educational, business, and social activities each year.
Their other “trademark” activity is the Professional Training Institute. PTI offers the industry’s broadest, most comprehensive training program designed to upgrade professional skills in building, service, management, and retail operations.
The direct benefits of membership are numerous.
Members increase their credibility and gain an advantage when competing for new customers. Plus, they can connect with new consumers through NESPA’s “Find A Professional Online” locator.
NESPA also provides year-round education on the latest business and technical topics for everyone in a pool company.
They publish their own magazine, The Edge, which features the latest industry updates.
On NESPA’s website and publications, members can access the latest information on codes, regulations, and other issues impacting the industry.
NESPA also provides money savings programs such as: insurance offerings, HR and payroll support, and even discounted tickets to Disney. NESPA members can also attend the technical sessions at The Pool and Spa Show in Atlantic City for free.
To learn more about NESPA, view their latest training schedule and get details on The Pool & Spa Show, visit www.nespapool.org, email info@nespapool.org, or call 609-689-9111.
Pool and Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) is the world’s oldest and largest association representing swimming pool, spa, and hot tub manufacturers, manufacturers’ agents, builders, designers, distributors, suppliers, installers, retailers, and service technicians.
For more than half a century, PHTA has been serving members and the public with critical industry knowledge that ranges from sound regulatory practice to industry trends and consumer attitudes. Since 1983, PHTA is the only industry organization accredited by the American National Standards Institute as the recognized Standards Development Organization to promote and develop the nation’s standards for swimming pools and hot tubs.
PHTA enhances the business success of its member professionals and ensures consumer safety through:
• Offering education and resources for members to expand their businesses and achieve personal success.
• Improving the business environment by advocating and promoting the benefits of the aquatics industry.
• Creating programs and practices to enable members to reach their pinnacle.
• PHTA offers a wide array of certification courses to help distinguish pool professionals.
These include: CPO for Operators, CBP for Builders, CSP for Service Professionals, CST for Pool Technicians, CMS for Maintenance Specialists, CHTT for Hot Tub Technicians, CRP for Retail Professionals, and CPI for Inspectors PHTA certification represents excellence in achievement and demonstrates proficiency in the pool and hot tub professional.
Over the course of the last three years or so, PHTA has really ramped up their virtual learning, with numerous virtual schools, on-demand courses, and webinar series available to members.
In addition to the benefits already detailed, PHTA members receive a weekly e-newsletter, online listing in a Member Locator for consumers, major discounts on industry education, certification programs, travel discounts, and more. They also get expert interpretation of legislative and regulatory activity whenever it’s needed.
PHTA offers a long list of benefits to all members, whether a distributor, manufacturer, builder, or anywhere in between.
Simply put, PHTA exists to protect, professionalize, and provide for the pool and spa industry.
To learn more, go online to www. phta.org, email at phta@phta.org, or call East Coast: 703-838-0083; West Coast: 719-540-9119.
Swimming Pool Association of Hawaii
Swimming Pool Association of Hawaii (SPAH) is a professional association of swimming pool and spa cleaning, maintenance, and repair businesses on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.
All members are highly qualified and experienced professional technicians with many years of serving res idential and commercial customers.
Education of their members on the latest pool and spa technology and safety is a top priority. But their biggest promise to their members is pool route protection. In the event a member becomes disabled, dies, or is faced with extreme circumstances, other members will maintain his/her pool route until the member is in satisfactory condition or the member’s family determines if business will be maintained or sold.
Since the association was founded in 2000, they have maintained professionalism through monthly membership meetings, including workshops to further educate members in the areas of insurance, management, marketing, updates on new technology, materials, methods and supplies, and regulations pertaining to the industry.
The ultimate objective of SPAH is to have all companies in the Hawaii pool service industry as members to ensure professional growth within the industry and the association.
Member benefits include:
• Arrow Insurance coverage.
• Sick Route Coverage.
• Increasing technical expertise.
• Education opportunities.
• Business profitability.
• Professionalism.
• Pool route clearinghouse.
• Fellowship with pool pros.
• Assistance from other members.
• Networking opportunities and referrals.
• Advertising and marketing privileges.
• Member discounts.
SPAH members take pride in their involvement in community outreach programs and participate in pool safety programs.
For more information, go to www. spahpools.com.
Texas Pool and Spa Coalition
TPSC protects the interests of the Texas pool and spa industry and the consumer through education and advocacy, while promoting superior standards of safety and efficiency. By uniting lawmakers and industry, they work to bring about effective and sustainable change.
The coalition works to:
• Represent Texas pool and spa professionals and consumers at the state and local level.
• Examine and track bills to keep members up to date on critical industry issues.
• Testify before local and state legislative and regulatory bodies on behalf of members and the industry.
• Maintain a constant presence at Texas legislature and state regulatory agency meetings.
The TPSC was formerly known as the Aquatics Professional Education Council (APEC), which was formed in November 2004 by a small group of pool professionals with the objective to safeguard, improve, and enhance the swimming pool and spa business climate in Texas. APEC was successful throughout the years in protecting the industry and pushing forward good public policy. In January, 2019, APEC changed their name to TPSC to assist in identification with elected officials, all the while continuing their goal to advance government-relation efforts in Texas. The TPSC works to strengthen and advance Texas state government-relation efforts. The TPSC partners include the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and The Independent Pool and Spa Service Association (IPSSA). Government regulation, while well intended, can place an unreasonable burden on pool and spa businesses,
often raising industry costs and increasing liability without successfully resolving the issues or protecting the consumer. With a presence at the state capital, TPSC works with lawmakers, offering the benefit of industry knowledge and experience.
They retain two lobbyists, Jake Posey and Steve Koebele, to execute this endeavor. Their advocacy efforts help TPSC to achieve their goal to protect the welfare and bottom line of their members while maintaining an uncompromising commitment to industry safety and excellence.
Through their affiliation with the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance, members of the Texas Pool and Spa Coalition enjoy a wealth of benefits. See accompanying article about PHTA.
To learn more about the Texas Pool and Spa Coalition or become a member and support the work that they do, go to www.txpsc.org or email memberservices@phta.org.
United Pool Association
United Pool Association is a grass roots organization founded on the principle that every member is an individual businessman who knows best how to run his business.
They have banded together to expand their knowledge and get good quality liability insurance from American Southern. Their little grass roots organization has grown. From humble beginnings they have grown to more than 1,800 members.
“Freedom at the Chapter Level… Simplicity at the Board Level” is their motto. Chapters are free to run their meetings in a manner that best suits their members. Chapters are required by the organization to meet a minimum of 9 times a year. The UPA Joint Board meets quarterly and covers its own expenses.
Service professionals looking to join an association with great insurance and little obligation need look no further than the United Pool Association.
According to Steve Homer, association president, the whole premise of UPA is to serve the member.
“We look for ways to provide value for the membership – that’s how we grow. We don’t take any money from our members, which is really important. The money we get, we raise on our own through a variety of ways, from support from our vendors to rebates from our insurance company,” Homer said.
Homer says that among UPA’s biggest perks is their insurance.
When you consider the huge liability limits, how few limits and exclusions there are in the policy, the history and stability of the program, the outstanding relationship they have with their insurer (American Southern), and the superior service they get from Sean Reardon and the team from Western Growers Insurance Services, all for $59 per month per member, it’s very clear this program is fantastic.
Their Commercial General Liability Coverage limits apply to each member and include:
• Limits: $1,000,000/occurrence, $2,000,000 annual policy aggregate.
• Includes a sublimit of $50,000 for on-site pollution clean-up.
• Includes full limits for “acid washing” claims.
• Deductible $500 per property damage claim.
• $35 per employee or independent contractor.
* No coverage provided for any work done on diving boards or swimming pool slides.
In Homer’s opinion, the insurance is the association’s biggest selling point, but second to that is the independence that UPA’s members enjoy.
“The chapters can really do whatever they want. If the members don’t like the way it’s run, they can call a meeting, hold an election, and put in new leadership. Or they can spin off their own chapter. You are not required to stay where you are unhappy,” Homer said.
And for those who don’t like to attend meetings, or live in areas where there are no chapters, members can join the association’s newest chapter – UPA’s virtual chapter.
With more than 100 members, this is their largest chapter and can accommodate people in all 50 states.
Recently, UPA also started a studyat- home contractor’s license program for their members in California. And it’s a great value. For just $125, members can obtain their contractor’s license, and the program has a 97% pass rate.
To learn more about UPA member perks and details about their insurance coverage, visit www.united poolassociation. org, or call UPA directly at 714-274-5566.