education and events
MasterMind Summit 2025
September 23-25, 2025 | Fort Lauderdale, FL
Your Competitive Edge Starts Here
Get ready for an exclusive, energizing event designed for leaders and innovators in the pool, spa, and hot tub industry. Join the GENESIS® faculty and top professionals nationwide for strategic insights, collaborative sessions, and powerful connections.
Why Attend?
- Tackle Big Challenges: Labor, supply chains, consumer expectations—we’re breaking them down and building solutions.
- Learn From the Best: Hear directly from GENESIS® faculty and other trailblazing thought leaders.
- Collaborate & Connect: Engage in roundtables, share real talk with peers, and grow your network.
- Leave Inspired: Walk away with fresh ideas, actionable tools, and the momentum to lead boldly.
Schedule at a Glance
Optional Pre-Conference Courses | Sept 22–23
- D180: Drawing for Professionals
- D265: Master Designer Methods
- D271: Architectural Styles
Main Event | Sept 23–25
- Fireside chats, expert-led roundtables, and trend-driven keynotes
- AI & automation insights, consumer trends, project showcases
- Evening networking and a guided tour of the International Swimming Hall of Fame
Pricing
- Expert CBP / Master CBP: $499
- CBP / Advanced CBP: $799
- PHTA Member: $999
- Non-member: $1,299
Where It's All Happening
Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
3030 Holiday Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
(800) 222-6543
Special rate for MasterMind attendees: $239/night + tax
Book by August 29 to receive the MasterMind rate
Who Should Attend?
Owners, executives, and senior managers across build, design, and service sectors. If you’re driving your business forward—this event is for you.
Register Now
Spots are limited and sell out quickly.
Full Conference Schedule
Pre-Conference Courses: September 22-23
Come to town early to take advantage of in-person education with our esteemed GENESIS® faculty, and get one step closer to earning your Expert CBP or Master CBP. Please note: Pre-conference courses are optional. Additional fees required.
PHTA Member: $1,690 / Non-member: $2,190
Register
PLEASE NOTE: Registration for this course is completed through the main MasterMind Summit registration. If you are ONLY attending this course and not staying for the Summit, select the 'Pre-Conference Course Registration Only' option when completing your registration. You will be asked to select your pre-conference course on the Event Sessions page of MasterMind registration.
In our business, drawing is a tool that you must have in order to effectively communicate with your clients. In this course, we'll teach you fundamental sketching, drawing, and drafting skills, along with how to read and layout plans. No previous drawing experience needed.
This is a required course to become a Certified Expert Pool Builder & Design Professional.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn the basic types of drawings: elevation, section, and plan
- Demonstrate how to draw, not for beauty, but as a communication tools
- Examine the common terms, symbols, and methods used by professional designers and architects
Instructor: Andy Kaner, MLA
PHTA Member: $1,690 / Non-member: $2,190
Register
PLEASE NOTE: Registration for this course is completed through the main MasterMind Summit registration. If you are ONLY attending this course and not staying for the Summit, select the 'Pre-Conference Course Registration Only' option when completing your registration. You will be asked to select your pre-conference course on the Event Sessions page of MasterMind registration.
Foresight is an essential component of good design. In this course, you will retrain how you think of water vessel design by changing the sequence of designing outdoor improvements first, and integrating the pool last. This course will challenge your design approach with a landscape-based process that considers the functionality of the entire space first. The course lecture and projects will focus on sightlines, living spaces, traffic flow, special considerations, and more, and will help you create beautiful designs with high functionality.
This is a required course to become a Certified Master Pool Builder & Design Professional.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze art examples; review principal areas of composition.
- Identify categories of outdoor spaces.
- Define site elements that occupy and enhance the function and esthetic of the space.
- Review case studies on the use of outdoor space.
Instructor: Kirk Bianchi
PHTA Member: $1,690 / Non-member: $2,190
Register
PLEASE NOTE: Registration for this course is completed through the main MasterMind Summit registration. If you are ONLY attending this course and not staying for the Summit, select the 'Pre-Conference Course Registration Only' option when completing your registration. You will be asked to select your pre-conference course on the Event Sessions page of MasterMind registration.
Understanding the architecture of both built structures and the surrounding landscape will enable watershape designers to coordinate details and relate the water elements back to the surrounding environment in an appropriate way. It is easy to find examples of pools that clearly do not reflect the style of the home. They are usually the result of a production-type builder that is only comfortable replicating the same pool they have built many times. However, when the pool is well-designed to match the home’s architecture, the effect can be breathtaking and add real value to the property. This process can only begin after a basic understanding of architectural styles - the palette from which we draw from. These pools not only reflect the home but also the surrounding landscape.
This is a required course to become a Certified Expert Pool Builder & Design Professional.
Learning Objectives:
- Review design styles through the 20th Century. Includes Arts and Crafts, Prairie Style, California Bungalow, Bauhaus, Art Deco, Zig-Zag modernism, New England salt boxes, Ranch style, Mid-Century Modern, Brutalism, Post-Modernism, and others in the US and overseas
- Discuss the significance of changes in style and review key examples of these styles
- Describe the key principles of various styles and how to coordinate watershape design with architecture
Instructor: Paul John Boulifard, Architect + LEED AP
Conference: September 23-25
*Schedule subject to change.
Tuesday, September 23
- 3:00pm - 5:00pm: Registration/Check-in
Enjoy the hotel situated on the beautiful Fort Lauderdale beaches and all that Fort Lauderdale has to offer, including fishing, a trip to the Everglades, shopping on Las Olas Boulevard, and so much more!
Wednesday, September 24
Details coming soon!
45-minute expert-led roundtable discussions. Each attendee will have a chance to attend two topics and share thoughts and ideas with likeminded colleagues and peers.
- Leveraging High-Quality Photography to Showcase Pool and Hot Tub Designs
Lead: Jimi Smith, Jimi Smith Photography - Integrating Wellness Features into Pool and Hot Tub Designs
Lead: Maria Moscato, GENESIS® International Design & Wellness Faculty Advisor - Incorporating Smart Technology in Pool Design
Lead: Paul John Boulifard, GENESIS® Design Faculty Chair - Creating Visual Impact with Color
Lead: Feras Irikat, GENESIS® Design Faculty Advisor - Maximizing Profitability through Efficient Operations
Lead: Brian Van Bower, GENESIS® Co-Founder - Designing Pools for Different Climates and Regions: Challenges and Solutions
Lead: John Kenyon, Master CBP - Building Pools in Challenging Terrains: Overcoming Unique Site Conditions and Design Obstacles
Lead: Skip Phillips, Master CBP, GENESIS® Co-Founder, and Terry Brannon, P.E., GENESIS® Engineering Faculty Chair
45-minute expert-led roundtable discussions. Each attendee will have a chance to attend two topics and share thoughts and ideas with likeminded colleagues and peers.
- Preventative Maintenance by Design: Best Practices and New Technologies
Lead: Dr. Joe Laurino, Periodic Products - The Future of Smart Pools: Integrating IoT and AI in Pool Services
Lead: Kevin Post, Counsilman-Hunsaker - Navigating Labor Shortages: Strategies for Attracting & Retaining Skilled Workers
- Pool Service Customer Expectations: Balancing Quality with Speed
- Navigating Compliance: Staying Up to Date with Pool Safety Regulations
Lead: Steve Barnes, AquaStar - Sustainable Practices in Pool and Hot Tub Services: Reducing Environmental Impact
Details coming soon!
Details coming soon!
One 45-minute project profile with 15 minutes of Q&A. Featuring Tracy Bruno, Master CBP.
One 45-minute project profile with 15 minutes of Q&A. Featuring Steve Barnes, AquaStar, on equipment pad renovation.
As the pool industry continues to evolve, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) has become a game-changer for improving operational efficiency and driving automation. In this session, we'll explore how AI can transform everyday processes for pool businesses – from automated maintenance and water quality monitoring to customer service and scheduling.
Learning Objectives:
- Streamlining Pool Maintenance: Learn how AI-powered sensors and software can monitor water conditions in real-time, alerting pool owners and managers about issues like chemical imbalances, leaks, or temperature changes without manual checks.
- Enhancing Customer Experience: Discover how AI-driven chatbots and CRM tools can help you engage customers more effectively, respond to inquiries faster, and even automate appointment scheduling.
- Predictive Maintenance & Troubleshooting: Find out how AI can predict potential equipment failures before they happen, allowing for proactive repairs and minimizing downtime.
- Workforce Efficiency: Understand how automation tools can optimize labor management, reduce operational overhead, and streamline routine tasks, allowing staff to focus on higher-value activities.
Details coming soon!
Thursday, September 25
Details coming soon!
Details coming soon!
One 45-minute project profile with 15 minutes of Q&A. Featuring Reggie Baudoin, Master CBP.
One 45-minute project profile with 15 minutes of Q&A. Featuring a case study from Counsilman-Hunsaker on their International Swimming Hall of Fame High Dive Remodel.
In this session, GENESIS® Design Faculty Advisor Feras Irikat will explore the critical macro trends shaping the pool industry and their profound impact on consumer behavior. Attendees will gain insights into emerging consumer preferences, technological advancements, and broader societal shifts that are influencing purchasing decisions in the pool sector. Through a deep dive into current trends such as sustainability, smart technology, and outdoor living, Feras will help participants understand how these factors affect consumer expectations and purchasing patterns. This session is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and strategies needed to stay ahead of the curve and cater to an evolving market.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand Key Macro Trends: Identify and comprehend the major macro trends affecting the pool industry, including sustainability, innovation in materials, and the growing demand for connected, smart pool technology.
- Analyze Consumer Behavior Shifts: Learn how shifting consumer values, such as environmental consciousness and a desire for enhanced outdoor experiences, are altering purchasing decisions within the pool market.
- Adapt Business Strategies for the Future: Gain practical insights into how industry professionals can adapt their business practices, marketing efforts, and product offerings to align with emerging consumer expectations and stay competitive in the evolving landscape.
Details coming soon!
45-minute expert-led roundtable discussions. Each attendee will have a chance to attend two topics and share thoughts and ideas with likeminded colleagues and peers.
- Leveraging High-Quality Photography to Showcase Pool and Hot Tub Designs
Lead: Jimi Smith, Jimi Smith Photography - Integrating Wellness Features into Pool and Hot Tub Designs
Lead: Maria Moscato, GENESIS® International Design & Wellness Faculty Advisor - Incorporating Smart Technology in Pool Design
Lead: Paul John Boulifard, GENESIS® Design Faculty Chair - Creating Visual Impact with Color
Lead: Feras Irikat, GENESIS® Design Faculty Advisor - Maximizing Profitability through Efficient Operations
Lead: Brian Van Bower, GENESIS® Co-Founder - Designing Pools for Different Climates and Regions: Challenges and Solutions
Lead: John Kenyon, Master CBP - Building Pools in Challenging Terrains: Overcoming Unique Site Conditions and Design Obstacles
Lead: Skip Phillips, Master CBP, GENESIS® Co-Founder, and Terry Brannon, P.E., GENESIS® Engineering Faculty Chair
45-minute expert-led roundtable discussions. Each attendee will have a chance to attend two topics and share thoughts and ideas with likeminded colleagues and peers.
- Preventative Maintenance by Design: Best Practices and New Technologies
Lead: Dr. Joe Laurino, Periodic Products - The Future of Smart Pools: Integrating IoT and AI in Pool Services
Lead: Kevin Post, Counsilman-Hunsaker - Navigating Labor Shortages: Strategies for Attracting & Retaining Skilled Workers
- Pool Service Customer Expectations: Balancing Quality with Speed
- Navigating Compliance: Staying Up to Date with Pool Safety Regulations
Lead: Steve Barnes, AquaStar - Sustainable Practices in Pool and Hot Tub Services: Reducing Environmental Impact
Details coming soon!
Who We Are
Our GENESIS® instructors have been hand-selected based upon their subject matter expertise. And they bring uncompromising commitment across a range of industry services. Our experienced and innovative teachers are passionate about what they do, and want to share that passion and experience with you. Meet the full GENESIS® team here.
Thank You to Our MasterMind Summit Sponsors:
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Roundtable
Welcome Reception / Opening Party
Media
Interested in becoming a MasterMind Summit sponsor? Click here to learn about available sponsorship opportunities or contact Sheri Jackson, PHTA Senior Director of Business Development, at sjackson@phta.org or 703-838-0083, ext. 157.
