By Marcelle Dibrell

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) hosted its third annual PHTA Day on the Hill this April as association members went to Washington, DC, to engage with policymakers and advocate for the interests and growth of the industry.

PHTA members and staff met with more than 70 congressional offices while onsite at the U.S. Capitol, where they discussed water safety, workforce development, small business support, and other key issues that are impacting the pool, spa, and hot tub industry. PHTA and its federal lobbyist firm DCLRS prepared a number of leave-behinds that highlight the positive effect the industry has on the U.S. economy, safety measures and standards, and other areas.

Donna Wi l l i a m s , PHTA Chairwoman of the Board, and Pool Corp’s Vice President of Field Implementation said that the annual Day on the Hill is an opportunity for PHTA members to show a united front on the issues that have the most impact on the pool, spa, and hot tub industry.

“Whether it’s advocating for water safety and drowning prevention to

Pool Hot Tub Alliance hosts the 3rd annual ‘ PHTA Day on the Hill’ where association members visited with policy makers to advocate for the interests of the pool and spa industry. help more Americans safely enjoy water or discussing how proposed regulations will affect the business climate, our voices can do an enormous amount of good on behalf of the entire industry,” Williams said.

Justin Wiley, PHTA Vice President of Government Relations, Standards, and Codes, said that the PHTA Day on the Hill is truly a special event that motivates and energizes attendees by showing the power we have to influence change at the federal level.

“One of PHTA’s core pillars is to improve the business environment by advocating and promoting the benefits of the pool, spa, and hot tub industry,” Wiley said. “Day on the Hill provides PHTA members an amazing opportunity to help the association fulfill that mission.”

In one of the events highlights, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the sponsor of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Reauthorization Act (VGBA), spoke to the nearly 50 PHTA members in attendance about the importance of water safety and the need for continued advocacy and awareness-raising.

In addition to meetings with congresspeople and their staffers, PHTA Day on the Hill included a tour of Capitol Hill and speeches from Sabeena Hickman, CAE, PHTA President and CEO, and Olympic Gold Medalist Rowdy Gaines, PHTA Vice President of Partnerships and Development. Attendees also met with appointees from the U.S. Department of Energy.

For more information on PHTA’s advocacy mission, visit www.phta. org/advocacy http://www.phta.org/advocacy http://www.phta.org/advocacy