Webinar Series

Recorded November 20, 2024

This webinar is available to PHTA members only. Every election impacts laws, regulations, and how we do business. Join PHTA and our panel of experts to discuss the potential regulatory and industry changes regarding the pool and hot tub industry. During this state of transition, we will examine the post-election landscape and speculate what the future may hold, based off of voting records and campaign promises.

Learning Objectives:

• Review the outcomes of the election and how that potentially impacts our industry
• Assess what lawmakers may be preparing for their terms and jurisdictions
• Evaluate how PHTA can serve our members and the interests of the industry

This webinar is available exclusively to PHTA Members. Members, click here to view the recording for free.

Attendees will be shown how all types and methods of construction can be employed in construction of a natural swimming pool (NSP) and, depending on the "look" the client is wanting to achieve, the NSP can look just like a regular pool or can be designed with the aesthetic look of a pond with flourishing aquatic plants. The business opportunity is bright for pool builders, landscape architects, and designers who embrace an understanding of NSPs. With more clients seeking environmentally sustainable options to support their green-living lifestyle, NSPs provide a means to address the outdoor living spaces needs of this expanding demographic. Attendees will be provided information to assist in estimating NSP projects and the costs associated with building different sizes and types of NSPs. Bottom line, a professionally designed and properly equipped NSP will cost slightly more to install than a chemically treated pool of the same size, but the value these environments create is immeasurable. This course will provide the attendees with the information YOU need to know for planning and integrating a natural swimming pond or natural swimming pool into their clients' project.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn the History and Functional Components of a Natural Swimming Pool
• Understand the Flexibility of NSP Design, Engineering, and Construction for Residential and Public / Commercial Pools
• Acquire Knowledge of the Basis and Optimization of Biological Filtration
• Become Informed of Microbiological Standards and Historical Safety of NSPs
• Appreciate the Advantages of Eliminating Use of Chlorine and Associated Chemicals

CEUS: 1

Recording coming soon!

In today's competitive job market, attracting and retaining young talent is crucial for business success. This interactive webinar will equip you with the latest strategies to build a dynamic workplace that appeals to the next generation. Learn how to craft a compelling employer brand, create a positive candidate experience, and foster a culture of growth and development that keeps young talent engaged and thriving.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the priorities and expectations of young talent: Gain insights into what motivates the next generation of workers and how to tailor your recruitment and retention strategies accordingly
• Build a magnetic employer brand: Discover how to showcase your company culture, values, and opportunities to attract top young talent in a crowded marketplace.
• Develop a winning retention strategy: Learn best practices for creating a work environment that fosters engagement, growth, and long-term career satisfaction for young employees.

CEUS: 1

Recording coming soon!

You pay for every square foot of your showroom and you expect a return on that investment. But have you ever thought about the EXPERIENCE per square foot? Showroom layout affects how shoppers engage with your products. It influences what they notice, what you sell, what you add on. It may even mean leaving some space open so shoppers can stand back and appreciate everything else. Join PHTA for a panel discussion with showroom and square foot ROI subject matter experts from PHTA Strategic Partners LOU, Watkins Manufacturing, and BioLab.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss how to calculate revenue per square foot, frequency of review, and how to assess the viability of a new retail store investment
• Discuss how to use the ALEX machine to promote suggestive selling and automated emails to encourage customers to return to the store and make purchases
• Determine if your retail space matches the quality and caliber of products you sell and service

CEUS: 1

PHTA Members: View this recording for free with the PHTA Class Pass.

Non-Members: Purchase recording ($79)

How can pool and spa retailers strengthen their showroom design — including their product selection — to increase profits and make the customer’s shopping experience more enjoyable than ever? Ted Lawrence, a well-known retail specialist with over 30 years of experience in the pool and spa industry, discusses best practices to maximize your retail sales. Not only will he suggest new products to increase revenues, he will discuss product placement, of both new and tried-and-true products, within your store to make the most of your retail square footage and warehouse space.

CEUS: 1

PHTA Members: View this recording for free with the PHTA Class Pass.

Non-Members: Purchase recording ($79)

This webinar will focus on nuances of spa water chemistry, highlighting the differences in chemistry between spas and pools. Topics of discussion will include the impact of aeration, volume, temperature, and bather load as well as the challenges associated with balancing in a hot water environment. Recreational water illnesses common to spas will also be discussed, with a focus on how to prevent problems from occurring.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify differences in pool and spa chemistry and learn how to compensate for those differences in a spa
• Learn the importance of water balance and how to manage the spa chemistry to protect bathers from illness and maximize efficiency
• Learn troubleshooting techniques for common spa problems

CEUS: 1

Recording coming soon!

This webinar will highlight defensive strategies every pool business owner should know and use on the daily to stay ahead of the game! In the same vein as teach a man to fish and he will never starve, the philosophy here is to Build Better PEOPLE who in turn will build better pools. This webinar will delve into topics such as defining a Director of Operations, resetting the expectation of loyalty and pride in working for your company, and developing a bill of rights every person working for you can be proud of every day.

CEUS: 1

PHTA Members: View this recording for free with the PHTA Class Pass.

Non-Members: Purchase recording ($79)

Not every backyard swimming pool and spa project needs the attention of an engineer, but occasionally a builder finds himself over his head with soil foundation issues, cantilevered structures, pier supported pools, deep fills, adjacent structures, complex hydraulics, logistical issues such as remote access, elevated pool structures, and other, more complicated issues. This brief 1-hour seminar takes students through the ins and outs of hiring a consulting engineer to assist with swimming pool and spa design. Items discussed will include the qualifications a pool professional should look for in an engineer, the types of engineers and firms that routinely take on swimming pool engagements, fee structures, professional liability insurance, and division of responsibility. And finally, we will discuss training your engineer for your individual type of pool work and building relationships for the long-term.

Learning Objectives:

• To develop for the student a personal criterion for when an engineer is necessary and when one is not
• To investigate the process of finding and vetting engineering professionals on the basis of their experience and qualifications
• To prepare builders to discuss contractual arrangements and fees with engineers
• To enable builders to create a plan for building a relationship with an engineer or firm by cooperative training specifically in the types and locations in which the builder specializes

CEUS: 1

Purchase Recording ($39/Member and $79/Non-member)

Our understanding that water heals and renews seems to be an ingrained and ancient knowledge. In this course, we'll explore that instinct, and review the research and conclusions of 5 scientists across various fields who proved and reaffirmed that knowledge. You will then learn how discoveries of water-related properties relates to the pool and spa industry, and your business.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how available potable water has been used through the years
• Explore the value of potable water to the mind and body, and how to turn it into an opportunity
• Understand the fundamentals of wellness theory and how it relates to water
• Gain an understanding of our industry's impact on potable water usage and how we can improve

CEUs: 1

Purchase Recording ($39/Member and $79/Non-member)

Our industry is constantly changing and evolving. Making the right legal decisions for your business can feel like navigating your way through an obstacle course. This session with Steve Getzoff and Alex Horton will help you protect your business and help you create a map for dealing with some of the biggest challenges you face. Whether it's contracts, regulations, codes and standards, or insurance issues keeping you up at night, watching this webinar will help you prepare to make the right decisions.

Learning Objectives:

• How to stay abreast of the ever changing legal and regulatory landscape
• How to understand and comply with codes and standards
• How to create effective and proper contracts and subcontracts
• Know what insurance you need
• U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) classification of employees vs. independent contractors

CEUs: 1

PHTA Members: View this recording for free with the PHTA Class Pass.

Non-Members: Purchase recording ($79)

Join the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) for an in-depth webinar on water safety and drowning prevention. Advancements in water safety have been occurring at a very rapid rate in recent years and it can be difficult to keep up. This webinar will include a review of the latest drowning and aquatic injury statistics, updates on the launch of the U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan, and the latest tools and resources from the NDPA that will help you impact water safety with your clients and in your communities. This informative webinar will cover multiple aspects of water safety, including the latest science and innovation, that will empower you to take action and make a difference with this lifesaving cause.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the latest drowning and aquatic injury statistics and facts.
• Engage with and understand the purpose of the US National Water Safety Action Plan
• Utilize new and existing resources and tools to impact water safety in their local communities

CEUs: 1

PHTA Members: View this recording for free with the PHTA Class Pass.

Non-Members: Purchase recording ($79)

Recorded January 11, 2024

This complimentary webinar will guide you through how to implement a PHTA Apprenticeship Program at your company. You will learn about the essential aspects, including registration procedures, standards, appendix details, and online education.

Watch Recording

Recorded December 13, 2023

This complimentary webinar, presented by experts from the Institute for American Apprenticeship, is for pool, spa, and hot tub professonials interested in starting an apprenticeship program in their business. Learn about all the benefits of the PHTA Apprenticeship Programs, including increased retention, employee satisfaction, and defined skill sets. If you are interested in launching a program or have recently started the process, this webinar is for you. This webinar covers:

• What are the PHTA Apprenticeship Programs?
• What are the benefits to you, as the employer?
• What are the benefits for the apprentices?

Watch Recording

Recorded December 7, 2022

As the dust settled from the midterm elections, PHTA provided a webinar discussing the impacts of the results on the pool, spa, and hot tub industry, and answered questions about the upcoming 118th Congress. This is an insider's outlook on the effects of a changing Congressional landscape and the impact a divided Congress will have on agenda-setting and legislation.

For the benefit of PHTA members, election analysis and commentary was presented by PHTA's Federal/Congressional lobbyists, D.C. Legislative and Regulatory Services, Inc. (DCLRS), a veteran lobbying firm with over 30 years of experience. DCLRS provided an "inside-the-Beltway" perspective on industry opportunities in the upcoming Congress, discussed opportunities for member involvement, and answered members' questions.

Watch Recording (Members Only)

The current ANSI/APSP/ICC-7 Entrapment Avoidance Standard defines the maximum flow rate to address entrapment methods, most commonly hair entrapment. Correctly understanding how the standard defines the maximum flow rate, calculating TDH and measuring the system TDH at the pump's drain is vital to a properly designed and safe water vessel. In this course, Ken Gregory will examine the Standard, break down the explanations, and provide you the vital calculation tools to properly calculate the TDH and flow rate for your project.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine current ANSI/APSP/ICC-7 Standard
• Define TDH
• Utilize the PHTA Calculation form to calculate proper flow rate
• Examine entrapment methods:
  • Hair Entrapment
  • Body Entrapment
  • Limb Entrapment

Mechanical Entrapment Speaker: Ken Gregory
Mr. Gregory was a Commercial Pool Contactor with over 40 years of experience in the design, sales, construction management, and maintenance of residential and commercial pools. He has designed and built pools ranging from a few hundred square feet to several thousand. This includes filtration, chemical controls, UV light systems, variable frequency drives, flow controls, and heating systems of all types. He was directly responsible for all facets of the design process, cost estimating, specifications, and construction management of all commercial projects. Ken was on the original code committee that produced this ISPSC and presently is a member of the ICC PMG Council representing the swimming pool industry.

CEUs: 1.5

PHTA Members: View this recording for free with the PHTA Class Pass

Non-Members: Purchase recording ($79)

PHTA outside legal counsel, Steven Getzoff, and PHTA federal lobbyist, Carl Chidlow, will provide an overview of "The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021" and the ability of employers to apply for a first or second round of Payroll Protection funds, along with other tidbits included in the legislation of interest to our membership. In addition, a preview of what to anticipate at the federal level in 2021 with the new Administration and 117th Congress will be provided. The session will be moderated by PHTA Vice President of Government Affairs & Codes, Jennifer Hatfield.

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Are you looking for ways to maximize your water quality and chemical efficiencies? Then join us for this PHTA webinar as Alicia Stephens guides you through the addition of chemicals beyond just sanitizers and oxidizers. We'll examine ways to improve water clarity, bather comfort, and reduce maintenance issues, and define what products and technology can impact the swimming experience beyond just keeping bathers safe from disease.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine the impact that specialty chemicals can have on water quality
• Create a pool maintenance plan that maximizes efficiency and bather experience
• Review pool chemicals beyond sanitizers and oxidizers

CEUs: 1

PHTA Members: View this recording for free with the PHTA Class Pass

Non-Members: Purchase recording ($79)

The past 12 months have provided us with many new experiences. With shifts in consumers' buying trends and expectations to retailers, staying relevant is vital to your organization's continued success. During this session, focused on retailers, current PHTA Retail Council Chair Joe DeFuria and council member Jamie Puchmeyer will review consumer adjustments made in 2020 and provide an outlook on continued success in 2021.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify examples to stay retail-relevant in the changing times
• Discuss ways to retain and enhance your customer experience
• Provide case studies of retail success stories

CEUs: 0.5

PHTA Members: View this recording for free with the PHTA Class Pass

Non-Members: Purchase recording ($79)

During this 90-minute session, Terry Arko will provide a basic introduction to pool water chemistry. This course is especially beneficial for those new to the industry or those focused on residential service.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the challenges of source water
• Define why pool chemicals are necessary
• Review the properties of chlorine in water
• Examine chlorine and water balance

CEUs: 1.5

PHTA Members: View this recording for free with the PHTA Class Pass

Non-Members: Purchase recording ($79)

During this session, we will examine pathogens responsible for disease outbreaks and how to combat them. We'll review the advantages and disadvantages of different disinfectants, along with the recommendations in the ANSI/APSP-11 standard.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify common pathogens that cause Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs)
• Examine recent changes to ANSI/APSP-11
• Define Remediate Bodily Fluid Contamination, per CDC Recommendations
• Discuss pros and cons of different disinfection systems

CEUs: 1

PHTA Members: View this recording for free with the PHTA Class Pass

Non-Members: Purchase recording ($79)

The Virginia Graeme Baker Act (VGBA) standard for drain covers has changed, which means new information is available for Pool Professionals. The update will be implemented as a rolling change, and as new drain covers arrive, installers will receive more information with them. Join this webinar to get up to speed on what's changed and take advantage of the opportunity to have questions answered by a subject matter expert.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine the recently enacted revision to the VGBA standard
• Discuss this change moving forward and how it impacts current inventory in the market
• Identify resources for additional information post-webinar

Presenter: Steve Barnes
Steve Barnes is the Director of Science and Compliance for Aquastar Pool Products. He is the Chairman of PHTA Technical Committee, ANSI/APSP-16 the Federal VGB Pool & Spa Safety Act drain cover standard, and ANSI/APSP/ICC-15 Standard for Residential Swimming Pool Energy Efficiency. He is also a member of the ICC Swimming Pool and Spa Code Committee and ANSI/APSP/ICC-7 Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance. Steve has 37 years of experience in the pool industry, dating back to 1984 where he began as a hydraulics research and development lab technician, moving into lab management, and new product development. Steve's career focus is on helping pool contractors make pool ownership more convenient, cost effective, and safe.

CEUs: 1

PHTA Members: View this recording for free with the PHTA Class Pass

Non-Members: Purchase recording ($79)

This program will provide an overview and explanation of the new PHTA pathways from CBP to a Certified Master Pool Builder and Design Professional.

CEUs: 1

PHTA Members: View this recording for free with the PHTA Class Pass

Non-Members: Purchase recording ($79)

The presenters will host this live webinar on the showroom and discuss best business practices for selling custom products.

Presenters:

• Dan McManus, President & CEO, Evosus, Inc.
• Steve Ruscigno, Vice President & General Manager, Oregon Hot Tub

CEUs: 0.5

PHTA Members: View this recording for free with the PHTA Class Pass

Non-Members: Purchase recording ($79)

Find out how working with manufacturers' agents can be a better-than-ever response to the pressures to grow sales in today's competitive market environment. This webinar will cover what a manufacturers' agent is, important go-to-market strategy questions, benefits of outsourcing field sales, myths and misconceptions, and more. Manufacturers, this webinar is for you!

Presenters:

• Tracy Thornburg, Thornburg Enterprises, Inc., Chair of the PHTA Manufacturers Agents Council
• Colt Blithe, Blithe Sales Company

CEUs: 0.5

PHTA Members: View this recording for free with the PHTA Class Pass

Non-Members: Purchase recording ($79)