The 2026 Southwest Pool & Spa Show, held February 15–19 in San Antonio, Texas, delivered a full week of education, exhibits, and industry networking, with a consistent emphasis on connection — both on and off the show floor.
The week opened with registration and the informal “Beer & Badges” gathering, followed by two days heavily focused on education, including CPO and GENESIS certification programs. In total, more than 80 hours of training were available through certifications, seminars, and exhibit hall sessions, covering topics from chemistry and plaster techniques to sales, marketing, and emerging AI applications.
Florida-based educator, as well as a contributing features writer for Service Industry News, Lauren Broom summed up the tone of those sessions: “The attendance was fantastic; the questions were thoughtful; and the engagement was next level.”
By Tuesday evening, the Welcome Reception shifted the event onto the exhibit floor, where activity continued through Thursday alongside ongoing education. According to Blaine Siske, show director, the exhibit hall sold out with more than 380 booths and 275 exhibiting companies. He noted that displays are becoming increasingly elaborate, with video boards, largescale graphics, and AI-generated elements raising the bar, particularly among major manufacturers.
Attendance remained steady. According to Siske, builders made up 43 percent of attendees; service professionals, 37 percent; and retailers, 5 percent. Overall attendance increased slightly, though he said the shift to an earlier-in-the-week schedule may have contributed to a
Exhibit floor at the Southwest Pool & Spa Show, San Antonio, Texas. Feb 15-19, 2026 modest dip in service participation. More than 31 percent of attendees were first-timers, and attendance from Mexico more than doubled, prompting expanded Spanish-language sessions and plans for additional certifications in partnership with the Asociación de Profesionales de la Piscina (APP).
Midweek lunches and a scheduled happy hour created built-in time for networking, while after-hours gatherings — particularly along the River Walk — extended conversations beyond the Convention Center. The Awards Gala added a formal counterpoint, recognizing standout design and craftsmanship.
New initiatives also stood out. Siske noted that the inaugural Thom Blumenkamp Memorial Scholarship awarded more than $10,000 to attendees pursuing certifications, while the show will contribute more than $75,000 to regional IPSSA and PHTA chapters supporting education, swimming lessons, and drowning prevention.
Overall, the event maintained its familiar balance of training, product exposure, and relationship-building. As Broom later observed, “The energy, the conversations, and the passion for moving our industry forward were absolutely electric.”
