Awards and Grants

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance's awards program recognizes prominent achievements and outstanding performers in the pool, spa, and hot tub industry.

See our 2024 International Awards of Excellence winners:

Awards of Excellence

The Awards of Excellence program recognizes and rewards installations of pools, spas, hot tubs, and water features that showcase the most beautiful and creative work in the industry.

Builder of the Year

The Builder of the Year Award is a peer-nominated award given annually to one PHTA builder member who has advanced the pool building profession through outstanding achievements and dedication to the industry.

Service Professional of the Year

The Service Professional of the Year Award is a peer-nominated award given annually to one PHTA service member who has advanced the service profession through outstanding achievements and dedication to the industry.

Retailer of the Year

The Retailer of the Year Award is a peer-nominated award recognizing one outstanding retailer who has advanced the retail profession through outstanding achievements and dedication to the industry.

IHTA Hot Tub Retailer of the Year

The IHTA Hot Tub Retailer of the Year Award is a peer-nominated award recognizing one outstanding hot tub retailer who has advanced the hot tub retail profession through outstanding achievements and dedication to the hot tub industry.

Young Professional of the Year

The Young Professional of the Year Award is a peer-nominated award recognizing a forward-thinking leader under the age of 40 who will be the voice and next generation of pool, spa, and hot tub professionals.

Volunteer of the Year

The Volunteer of the Year Award is bestowed upon one prominent individual, each year, who has made distinguished contributions that raise professionalism in the aquatic community through their volunteering with PHTA.

Chapter of the Year

The Chapter of the Year Award recognizes one outstanding chapter that has set a stellar example for the organization, advancing and enhancing the industry through strong leadership, community outreach, and providing their members with the highest quality of programs, activities, and services.

Vance Gillette Scholarship

The Vance Gillette Scholarship grants PHTA members $2,500 for GENESIS® education to welcome more pool professionals to the GENESIS® program and provide an opportunity for continuing education. This award recognizes an individual employed in the pool and spa industry who demonstrates a commitment to professional growth.

Greg Garrett Scholarship Award

The Greg Garrett Scholarship Award grants a PHTA member in the builder or service sector $5,000 for PHTA educational or certification fees to increase professionalism and provide an opportunity for continuing education. This award recognizes an individual employed in the recreational water industry who shows extraordinary desire in furthering their career through education.

Learn More & Apply
2025 Application Deadline: August 8

Dr. R. Neil Lowry Grant

The Dr. R. Neil Lowry Grant is a $5,000 grant that honors a public health official or department who has made outstanding contributions to advance the public’s health and safe use of recreational water in pools, spas and waterparks through safety, educational, operational, and technical programs.

Learn More & Apply
2025 Application Deadline: August 1

Questions?
Email awards@phta.org