Thank you to all who attended and exhibited at this year’s show. Despite the recent economic downturn, this year’s show proved
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to be a great success! In total, 11,324 industry professionals came to Atlantic City this year, slightly up from last year. Attendees were treated to a preview of all of the new and exciting products, services and technology on display throughout the show floor, the New Product Boardwalk and the brand-new Silent Auction Area. The weather was absolutely beautiful this year, and nothing but positive comments were heard from the 403 exhibiting companies, occupying over 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space. The numbers looked great this year and that’s obviously good for our industry. People came to the show and that means they are out there doing business and confident that things are turning around. We feel that the people who came to this year’s show are the people in the industry that are forward thinking. They aren’t hiding from the downturn; they are coming to the show, learning what’s new in the industry and how to better help their customers. These companies will no doubt prove to be the successful ones not only now, but even more successful when the economy finds its way back to normal.
First Annual Silent Auction
First of all, we would like to give a special thank you to all who donated and bidded on items in  our First Annual Silent Auction. Attendees were invited to bid on items ranging from pool and spa products to tickets for 2 to anywhere in the continental US. Only show exhibitors were eligible to donate products to the auction and many took advantage of this area for exposure of their products and to draw people to their booths. All proceeds from the Auction will benefit the newly founded NESPA Foundation for the Advancement of Education and Professionalism, whose mission is to “enhance professionalism of the pool and spa industry through education and research”. The NESPA foundation was pleased to announce that they received over 125 items from donors and raised over $34,000 for the foundation. The NESPA Foundation will no doubt be a major advantage to the industry moving forward, and without the money raised at the auction, it would not be possible.
Sold out Seminars
Where would the Atlantic City Pool and Spa Show be without the comprehensive lineup of 75 seminars this year? The Monday All-Day courses kicked off the show, and it
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certainly started with a bang. The All-Day Leak Detection Forum quickly sold out from online registrants and due to the numerous people that were disappointed in not being able to attend the forum, we decided to open a separate video remote session as well. In total, 100 people attended the Leak Detection Forum in front of leak detection expert Lance Anderson, and an additional 75 sat in a separate room to view Lance via audio/video transmission. We were very pleased to see how everyone at the show embraced new technology and allowed us to get the message out in a way that wouldn’t have been possible.
Both Monday and Tuesday’s number of total individuals attending seminars was very strong. Along with the Leak Detection forum, the All-Day Monday Business Forum – facilitated by Jay Forte, was a great success and helped bring the totals up to 568 on Monday. Some other popular courses throughout the week included Tile Installation, Heater Troubleshooting, Leak Detection Basics and Intermediate Water Chemistry. Tuesday’s total of 2,007 exceeded last year’s Tuesday total by 139 individuals attending. Along with the seminars put on by the Atlantic City Pool & Spa Show, the National Swimming Pool Foundation held their instructor course during the week and the show also sponsored a sold out Certified Pool Operator’s course.
Most Importantly, Thank You to Our Volunteers!
Last but certainly not least, a warm thank you to all of our volunteers from NESPA who make the Atlantic City Pool & Spa Show possible. NESPA is an association made up of some of the most dedicated professionals in our industry and that comes through in the feel of the Atlantic City Pool & Spa Show. This show’s success is the result of that dedication and hard work put forth from NESPA volunteers who truly make the Atlantic City Pool & Spa Show feel like a family owned and friendly business.
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