Many trade shows have been canceling or going virtual due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the Florida Spa & Pool Association is charting a different course.
Like everything, timing is key. This show is held later in the season, which is fortuitous because coronavirus vaccinations, started in December 2020, will be well under way nationwide.
As in previous years, the Everything Under the Sun Expo is slated to be an in-person event on Feb. 19-20, 2021 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando — but including new safety protocols, of course.
“We don’t feel a virtual event would serve our industry,” says FSPA Executive Director Wendy Parker Barsell. Business is thriving, with Florida pool permits up 22%, she notes, adding, “Contractors are looking for new products. People are interested in taking classes.”
So how many folks are expected to be at the show? When Parker Barsell spoke with PSN, it was early in the registration process.“The numbers are really fluid,” she said. “I can’t give a guess about exhibitor and attendee numbers [at this time].”
That said, she estimates the exhibit hall size will be approximately half that of a regular show. And that’s OK. Having the usual number of attendees in a smaller space isn’t really the goal. “True, wall-to-wall [people] is part of the energy of the show, but this year is different,” Parker Barsell says. “It’s OK that it’s smaller. It might be the year that smaller manufacturers come and can be seen by more industry members.”
Precautions to keep everyone safe include portable hand sanitizer stations throughout the exhibit hall for frequent hand washing, and masks and social distancing are required — there’s even a separate entrance and exit to the hall.
Having a safe educational program is important, too. Classroom capacity will be kept at 50 percent, seats are placed 6 feet apart and there are no tables.
Education with a twist
Education is huge at this show and not just because of a natural desire to become better at one’s craft. The state of Florida requires ongoing training of all who want to renew their Florida licenses. Students need to be aware that besides the exhibit hall safety protocols, changes have been implemented for 2021 education.
Classes are grouped in four-hour morning or afternoon blocks on Friday and Saturday. Each block will be held in a single classroom, and students may choose one room per morning and one per afternoon. Upon entering, the seats they choose will be theirs for the entire session. If they must leave the room for some reason, there will be note cards to put on their seats to make sure no one else sits there.
To earn all 14 hours for Florida license renewal, it’s necessary to take mandatory courses Thursday and general courses on Friday and/or Saturday, according to FSPA.
This year, classes will number 50 rather than the usual 60 to 65. And the seven Learning Labs, spread across Friday and Saturday afternoons, will cover everything from variable-speed pumps to federal minimum efficiency regulations. One of the Saturday labs will be conducted in Spanish.
Organizers have provided a good mix of classes for builders, service technicians and retailers. Parker Barsell says her picks for most-popular classes would include business sessions because Florida is always keen on that topic for license renewal.
For the education schedule and latest information, visit the Expo’s website.
Time to celebrate
The Welcome & Awards Reception kicks off the Florida show on Thursday, Feb. 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the Rosen Centre Hotel. Sponsored by HornerXpress, it’s expected to attract approximately 100 guests, with restrictions on capacity in effect.
In this time of wearing masks for health reasons, the “Masquerade” theme for the 2021 event is perfect. For those without masks, reusable FSPA masks (yes, they bear the organization’s logo) will be provided.
“It’s less a cocktail party and more a sit-down awards show,” FSPA Executive Director Wendy Parker Barsell notes. Pool professionals will be recognized for their accomplishments with design awards, chapter awards and Person of the Year. There will be no inductees into the FSPA Hall of Fame this time.
Typically, there’s also the Friday Night Party, where pool and spa pros enjoy dinner, drinks, networking and entertainment. Details for the 2021 event are pending.
Reflecting on the show and its value to the industry, Parker Barsell says, “It’s being put on by a nonprofit trade association. Proceeds of the show keep FSPA supporting the industry. We rely on this being a successful program to strengthen the Florida pool and spa industry.”
To access show updates and to register, visit underthesunexpo.com
