Calendar of Events

GENESIS® E211: Fluid Hydraulics for Pools & Spas  

September 16-19 | Virtual
6 p.m. - 10 p.m. ET
16 hours | 1.6 IACET | 16 PHTA CEUs
$1,690 PHTA Member | $2,190 Non-Member

During this session, you will develop a basic understanding of the hydraulic principles in order to design more efficient and serviceable hydraulic systems. This class is required education for the Advanced CBP certification.

PHTA Webinar: Maximize Revenue in Retail with BioLab  

September 18 | Virtual
12 p.m. - 1 p.m. ET

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.

PHTA Midwest Chapter September Dinner Meeting  

September 18 | Schaumburg, IL
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. CT
$35 PHTA Member | $45 Non-Member

Join the PHTA Midwest Chapter at Westwood Tavern & Tap for their September Dinner Meeting. Guest speaker Phil Beckerman will discuss "Navigating the Future: AI's Role in Revolutionizing Pool & Hot Tub Sales."

PHTA Midwest Chapter Tee Up at Topgolf  

September 27 | Naperville, IL
6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. CT
$75 PHTA Member | $100 Non-Member

Join the good times with indoor golf at the PHTA Midwest Chapter's Pool & Hot Tub Professionals Tee Up at Topgolf on September 27 in Naperville, IL. Tickets include a scrumptious Smokehouse BBQ menu and 2 drink tickets. Tee time is 6:30 p.m. Space is limited, sign up today!

PHTA Midwest Chapter 2024 Awards  

Submission Deadline: September 30

The PHTA Midwest Chapter annually recognizes and rewards Midwest pool and spa companies who represent our industry, through their projects and services, with the highest level of professionalism. Our Gold Standard of Excellence design and construction awards were developed with an interest in showcasing beautiful and creative projects, built by PHTA member companies that adhere to accepted construction methods and PHTA standards. Our Superior Service Award was developed to recognize those PHTA member companies who strive for, and achieve, excellence in all levels of customer service. Our Retail Excellence award was developed with an interest in showcasing the most professional brick and mortar retail stores operated by PHTA member companies. Open to PHTA members in the Midwest, North Central, Central States, Mid-South, Mid-Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan Chapters.

GENESIS® D265: Master Designer Methods: Crafting the Outdoor Space as a Living Art Form  

October 2-3 | Nashville, TN
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. CT
16 hours | 1.6 IACET CEUs | 16 PHTA CEUs
$1,690 PHTA Member / $2,190 Non-member

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.

GENESIS® E245: Standards, Codes, and Ordinances; A Builder's Guide to Proper Implementation  

October 7 & 9 | Virtual
6 p.m. - 10 p.m. ET
8 hours | 0.8 IACET | 8 PHTA CEUs
$699 PHTA Member | $999 Non-Member

Codes and standards come at us from all sides, it seems, and every year or so those codes and standards are updated, creating a feeling of being lost in the woods for contractors, designers, enforcement, and permitting agencies. In this course, we’ll differentiate between codes, standards, and ordinances. Examine what these documents require of all parties affected by them and conclude with providing background and intent on the provisions within these documents. This is a required course to become a Certified Expert Pool Builder & Design Professional.

GENESIS® C410: Advanced Pool Construction  

October 8 & 10 | Virtual
6 p.m. - 10 p.m. ET
8 hours | 0.8 IACET | 8 PHTA CEUs
$699 PHTA Member | $999 Non-Member

This course is an advanced construction school intended to discuss advanced soil mechanics, difficult site solutions, and more advanced concrete science than presented in the basic C201: GENESIS® CONSTRUCTION SCHOOL: Concrete Pools. The course also delves into alternative pool construction materials, major defect repair, and the rehabilitation of old pools. This is a required course to become a Certified Master Pool Builder & Design Professional.

Equip Exposition  

October 15-18 | Louisville, KY

Equip Exposition is the annual event dedicated to growing landscapers’, hardscapers’, manufacturers’, and dealers’ businesses. Find the latest and greatest products across 1,000 exhibits and pit them against each other. Featuring new courses from GENESIS®.

PHTA Certified Pool & Spa Maintenance Specialist (CMS) Course  

October 15-17 | Louisville, KY
Part of Equip Exposition
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET
24 hours | 2.4 IACET CEUs | 24 PHTA CEUs
$999

This course takes you through the PHTA Service Tech Manual and gives you what you need to know to conform to industry standards. Whether you are starting out in the pool industry, have a new business, or want to ensure all your employees are recognized as the top of their craft, this course is the perfect opportunity! When you earn the CMS certification, you also earn a name for yourself in the pool industry as a maintenance person in the know. Special for Equip Attendees! Take your CMS Exam onsite on the third day for free! When you register for CMS at Equip, your CMS Exam fee will be waived (a $115 savings).

PHTA Webinar: How to Increase Revenue Per Square Foot  

October 16 | Virtual
12 p.m. - 1 p.m. ET

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 LOU, Watkins Manufacturing, and BioLab.

PHTA Webinar: How to Attract and Retain Young Talent  

October 23 | Virtual
12 p.m. - 1 p.m. ET

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.

PHTA Webinar: Natural Swimming Pools - A Nature-Based Solution to Swimming Pools  

November 6 | Virtual
12 p.m. - 1 p.m. ET

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.

International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo  

November 9-14 | Dallas, TX

The International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo™, co-located with Deck Expo (PSP/Deck Expo) is where all segments of the industry (pool, spa, patio, decking, and outdoor living) gather to stay well-informed of the trends, market directions, and technology. The event offers industry professionals a large selection of educational sessions, an expo hall, and various networking opportunities.

GENESIS® C393: Construction Superintendent: Connecting the Field with the Home Office  

November 9-10 | Dallas, TX
Part of PSP/Deck Expo
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
16 Hours | 1.6 IACET CEUs | 16 PHTA CEUs
$1,690 PHTA Member | $2,190 Non-member (Early Bird Rates)

New for 2024! The single greatest challenge for Swimming Pool Contractors (SPC) to expand their business is the lack of competent and accountable construction managers and superintendents. Although being an engineer, a skilled craftsman, or having pool industry experience is helpful, it is certainly not a prerequisite to becoming a quality superintendent. The likely candidate is trained! In this course, we will explore what makes a good construction superintendent, and how they are an integral part of running a profitable business that provides quality work in a timely period with a reasonable (or greater!) client satisfaction of the product result.

GENESIS® D211: Elements of Design  

November 9-10 | Dallas, TX
Part of PSP/Deck Expo
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
16 Hours | 1.6 IACET CEUs | 16 PHTA CEUs
$1,690 PHTA Member | $2,190 Non-member (Early Bird Rates)

This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of good design and will teach you how to lay out the different improvements in your projects (e.g., pool, spa, patio, etc.). We will break the fundamentals down into two categories: the Elements of Design and the Principles of Design. Once you have a good grasp of the fundamentals, you will learn how to apply them. We will start with short practice exercises and build up to a final project: creating a master plan that includes a pool and spa. Exclusive for Expo attendees! On the first afternoon of class, we will visit the Nasher Sculpture Center, home to one of the finest collections of modern and contemporary sculptures in the world.

GENESIS® D231: Color Theory and Its Application  

November 9-10 | Dallas, TX
Part of PSP/Deck Expo
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
16 Hours | 1.6 IACET CEUs | 16 PHTA CEUs
$1,690 PHTA Member | $2,190 Non-member (Early Bird Rates)

Looking through a magazine of pools, it is easy to find well-conceived plans that failed to unify the design with proper material and color selections. Color is one of our basic means of communication and it influences our emotions, so it must be understood and controlled. This program introduces the basic dynamics of color; its principles, fundamentals, and psychology; and how to apply the science to project design. Exclusive for Expo attendees! On the first afternoon of class, we will visit the Nasher Sculpture Center, home to one of the finest collections of modern and contemporary sculptures in the world.

PHTA Certified Pool & Spa Operator® (CPO®) Course  

November 9-10 | Dallas, TX
Part of PSP/Deck Expo
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
16 Hours | 1.6 IACET CEUs | 16 PHTA CEUs
$625 PHTA Member | $750 Non-member (Early Bird Rates)

The Pool & Spa Operator® (CPO®) Certification is the world's leading verifiable pool and spa training credential for aquatic facility maintenance personnel, health officials, retailers, property owners, and other professionals. CPO® certification provides individuals with the basic knowledge, techniques, and skills of pool and spa operations. This training has helped protect millions of swimmers by reducing hazards at aquatic facilities. Upon course completion and successfully passing the exam, students will become Certified Pool & Spa Operators® (CPO®).

PHTA Certified Pool & Spa Operator® (CPO®) Course en español  

November 9-10 | Dallas, TX
Part of PSP/Deck Expo
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
16 Hours | 1.6 IACET CEUs | 16 PHTA CEUs
$625 PHTA Member | $750 Non-member (Early Bird Rates)

El programa de certificación Pool & Spa Operator® (CPO®) es el programa de educación y certificación líder en el mundo para mantener las piscinas más seguras y abiertas. Más de 700.000 estudiantes han sido formados desde 1973. La certificación CPO proporciona a las personas el conocimiento, las técnicas y las habilidades necesarias para el funcionamiento adecuado de la piscina.

PHTA Certified Pool & Spa Maintenance Specialist (CMS) Course  

November 9-11 | Dallas, TX
Part of PSP/Deck Expo
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
24 Hours | 2.4 IACET CEUs | 24 PHTA CEUs
$1,099 PHTA Member | $1,499 Non-member (Early Bird Rates)

This course takes you through the PHTA Service Tech Manual and gives you what you need to know to conform to industry standards. Whether you are starting out in the pool industry, have a new business, or want to ensure all your employees are recognized as the top of their craft, this course is the perfect opportunity! When you earn the CMS certification, you also earn a name for yourself in the pool industry as a maintenance person in the know.

PHTA Certified Pool & Spa Service Technician (CST) Course  

November 9-11 | Dallas, TX
Part of PSP/Deck Expo
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
24 Hours | 2.4 IACET CEUs | 24 PHTA CEUs
$1,299 PHTA Member | $1,799 Non-member (Early Bird Rates)

The Service Technician Course (CST) provides 24 hours of education for service technicians looking to elevate their knowledge. The course reviews common problems regarding pool finishes and examines potential solutions. Students will explore circulation, filtration, hydraulics, and electricity, culminating in a well-rounded understanding of potential problems and solutions. Upon successful completion of the course and CST certification exam, students will have earned the certification title of CST.

C201: GENESIS® CONSTRUCTION SCHOOL: Concrete Pools  

November 9-11 | Dallas, TX
Part of PSP/Deck Expo
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
24 Hours | 2.4 IACET CEUs | 24 PHTA CEUs
$2,090 PHTA Member | $2,590 Non-member (Early Bird Rates)

Exclusive for PSP/Deck Expo Attendees! C201 students will receive complimentary access to the on-demand CBP Exam Test Prep course.

Early Bird Attendees Only! Those who register with the Early Bird Rate will have their CBP Exam fee waived (a $250 value!). Applies only to taking the CBP Exam onsite at Expo in Dallas.

This comprehensive concrete construction school is one of two programs that satisfies the education requirement to sit for the Certified Builder Professional (CBP) Exam. Attendees spend three days with a team of expert faculty, learning all of the necessary disciplines for building a structurally sound water vessel. Topics covered include site analysis, introductory fluid engineering, geotechnical and structural engineering that includes a review of difficult sites, shotcrete, waterproofing, tile, interior finishes, coping, and concrete decking. This program is designed to move each student through all phases of concrete pool construction in great detail, unlike anything else offered in the industry.

This is a required course to become a Certified Builder Professional.

PHTA Certified Hot Tub Technician (CHTT) Course  

November 10-11 | Dallas, TX
Part of PSP/Deck Expo
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
16 Hours | 1.6 IACET CEUs | 16 PHTA CEUs
$899 PHTA Member | $1,399 Non-member (Early Bird Rates)

The Certified Hot Tub Technician course provides students a range of practical knowledge on servicing and troubleshooting factory-built hot tubs, regardless of brands. Industry experts will provide hands-on experience regarding hot tub chemistry, examine electrical systems, circulation, and filtration while learning tips and tricks for basic repairs to interior surfaces. Upon successful completion of the course and CHTT certification exam, students will have earned the certification title of CHTT.

GENESIS® E331: A Comparison of Heating Options for Pools and Spas  

November 11 | Dallas, TX
Part of PSP/Deck Expo
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
4 Hours | 0.4 IACET CEUs | 4 PHTA CEUs
$399 PHTA Member | $699 Non-member (Early Bird Rates)

New for 2024! Heating pools and spas has become more and more popular with homeowners as leisure time has increased and owners desire longer seasons in which to use their pools. However, heating costs have risen with the cost of fuels, particularly fossil fuels and electricity, and owners would like options.

PHTA Certified Pool & Spa Inspector (CPI) Course  

November 11 | Dallas, TX
Part of PSP/Deck Expo
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
4 Hours | 0.4 IACET CEUs | 4 PHTA CEUs
$249 PHTA Member | $349 Non-member (Early Bird Rates)

The Certified Pool & Spa Inspector (CPI) course creates a foundation for health officials and pool operators to conduct pool and spa inspections to support the assurance of a sanitary, healthy, and safe environment for staff and patrons of public swimming pools and spas.

PHTA Certified Pool & Spa Inspector (CPI) Course en español  

November 11 | Dallas, TX
Part of PSP/Deck Expo
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
4 Hours | 0.4 IACET CEUs | 4 PHTA CEUs
$249 PHTA Member | $349 Non-member (Early Bird Rates)

El Inspector Certificado de Piscinas y Spas (CPI) crea una base para que los funcionarios de salud y los operadores de piscinas realicen inspecciones de piscinas y spas para respaldar la garantía de un entorno higiénico, saludable y seguro para el personal y los clientes de piscinas y spas públicos.

GENESIS® D291: How to Introduce Wellness Progressively into Your Business Model  

November 11 | Dallas, TX
Part of PSP/Deck Expo
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
8 Hours | 0.8 IACET CEUs | 8 PHTA CEUs
$799 PHTA Member | $1,099 Non-member (Early Bird Rates)

New for 2024! Health and wellness continue to be a growing movement in our lives, and that includes in the pool and spa world. Even if "wellness" isn't on the forefront of your client's mind, it exists in the background of their desires. As our customers envision their personal space as not just for living and fun, but as a way to create a wellness oasis, it is our responsibility to help them achieve their health goals. This course will help you take steps to integrate wellness into your business model.

Significant Change Update: 2021 and 2024 ISPSC (International Swimming Pool & Spa Code)  

November 11 | Dallas, TX
Part of PSP/Deck Expo
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
6 Hours | 0.6 IACET CEUs | 6 PHTA CEUs
$499 PHTA Member | $899 Non-member (Early Bird Rates)

This session will review the significant changes from the 2021 to the 2024 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code (ISPSC). This session is designed to help builders and inspectors learn and review significant changes made to the 2024 ISPSC recently released. The course is a must-attend for all industry-related professionals such as builders, architects, engineers, building inspectors, building officials, contractors, plans examiner, plumbing inspectors, and pool and spa installers.

GENESIS® C220: Electrical Elements of Pools  

November 11 | Dallas, TX
Part of PSP/Deck Expo
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
4 Hours | 0.4 IACET CEUs | 4 PHTA CEUs
$399 PHTA Member | $699 Non-member (Early Bird Rates)

New for 2024! The mystical world of electrical elements can be overwhelming, but as a pool builder it is your responsibility to understand the basics of electricity generation and distribution, as well as being able to spot good vs hazardous work. This course will explore electrical work in and around the pool: from underwater and landscaping lighting to low voltage lighting and firepits, to grounding and ground fault circuit interrupters, you will have a better understanding of the electrical elements surrounding pools.

C260: GENESIS® CONSTRUCTION SCHOOL: Vinyl Liner/Fiberglass Pools  

December 9-12 | Virtual
6 p.m. - 10 p.m. ET
24 hours | 2.4 IACET CEUs | 24 PHTA CEUs
$2,090 PHTA Member / $2,590 Non-member

This comprehensive construction school is one of two courses that satisfy the education requirement to sit for CBP exam. Whether a pool is concrete, vinyl liner, or fiberglass, the necessities of a properly executed project remain the same. The water vessel requires correct hydraulics, proper installation, code compliance, and a desired aesthetic. To meet the educational demands of an increasing market, GENESIS now offers a 24-hour Vinyl Liner / Fiberglass Pool Construction School.

*Virtual Training Information: The live virtual classroom portion of this course will be 16 hours. Additional homework and supplemental studies will be included in the curriculum for students to complete the course.