membership
A New Path for Progress
The International Hot Tub Association opens doors for increased resources, advocacy, and business and industry growth with new hot tub retailer membership
The saying “If you build it, they will come,” has been widely debated in the business world. The belief that consumers will naturally desire or pursue a great product overlooks several factors, from need to cost to awareness. In reality, an industry is only as strong as the people connecting consumers with product.
The hot tub industry is no different. That’s why the International Hot Tub Association (IHTA) is proud to offer a new membership category for hot tub retailers.
“Retail is the most critical arm to the hot tub industry,” said Ronak Shah, co-owner of Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Galaxy Home Recreation and IHTA Board Member.
Retailers do the heavy lifting of teaching consumers about the benefits and maintenance needs of hot tubs and ensuring hot tub owners continue to use and enjoy them. As Shah explained, “without retailers, there’s no hot tub industry.”
After soliciting feedback from IHTA members throughout 2024, the IHTA leadership team found a gap in retail membership and activism. IHTA, which works together with the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) to strengthen the hot tub industry, decided to create a new membership category to address retailers’ specific needs and foster business growth.
“The mission of IHTA is to protect the industry and promote the benefits of hot tubs. You can’t do that without retailers being an active part of this association,” said Shah. “We now have a designation for our most important stakeholder and can more directly support their retail and industry needs and issues.”
A partner for navigating retail challenges
Hot tub retailers are facing several obstacles as we begin 2025. With the new IHTA retailer membership category, IHTA will provide increased support, resources, and advocacy to help retailers combat these challenges.
- Skilled labor shortage. “Hiring and training service technicians is the hardest challenge for retailers right now,” said Shah. “Not many retailers have been able to make their service center a profit center like other industries, where technicians may find more lucrative opportunities.”
Members of the IHTA retailer category will receive resources to help train their employees, including one free Certified Hot Tub Technician® (CHTT) course per year. They can also expect education sessions and webinars about boosting service profitability. - Decreasing demand. As consumers pull back spending due to inflation, retailers will need to stay competitive. IHTA provides members with resources and education on branding and marketing through webinars and education classes.
- Regulatory complications. Shah predicts retailers may face new challenges in selling hot tubs from potential regulations including water usage restrictions due to drought, higher prices due to tariffs, and energy efficiency compliance with the EPA. Such events could significantly impact the pricing and popularity of hot tubs.
“IHTA, through PHTA, has the resources and experience to address these matters with agencies and legislators to protect the hot tub industry,” said Shah, adding that fighting against tariffs on hot tub parts and components is one of IHTA’s top priorities.
"The mission of IHTA is to protect the industry and promote the benefits of hot tubs. You can't do that without retailers being an active part of this association."
- Ronak Shah
Membership benefits
Membership benefits include (but are not limited to) the following:
- 1 free Certified Hot Tub Technician® (CHTT) course per company, per year
- Legal and advocacy support regarding regulations (i.e., drought, fencing requirements, tariffs, sales tax exemption)
- IHTA accreditation
- Networking and fellow retailer support
- Ability to join the IHTA Retail Committee, a group working to ensure the needs of retailers are being met
- Participation in local PHTA chapters
- Discounts on all PHTA and GENESIS® education and certification courses
- Education sessions at The Pool & Spa Show, International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, and other industry events
- Webinars
Join IHTA with a Hot Tub Retailer Membership
The IHTA Hot Tub Retailer Membership, which is for retailers whose majority of sales are for portable hot tubs or swim spas, costs $1,000 per year and is available now.
Shah believes companies participating in this new membership category will not only receive numerous business benefits but also can impact the industry.
“A vibrant retail community will help grow the sales of the industry, ensure the industry is well protected, push the envelope for innovation, and help make retailers first-class operators.”
Visit phta.org/ihta to learn more about IHTA, our leadership team, our advocacy efforts, and the benefits of membership.
Interested in becoming an IHTA Hot Tub Retailer member? Join Today!
