The Florida Swimming Pool Association’s Everything Under the Sun Expo hit high marks for education.
About 1,100 people took classes at the annual trade show at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center last month, setting a new record.
“That was more people who took educational courses for credit or not than any previous show,” said Wendy Parker Barsell, FSPA’s executive director.
More than half of attendees who participated in classes did so without earning continuing education credits, meaning for many people, education was optional. That speaks well for the industry’s desire to learn above and beyond what is required for certifications, Parker Barsell added.
Even classes that do not typically attract large crowds were well-attended, including courses in marketing and business.
“The industry is doing really well,” Parker Barsell said. “They brought a lot of their employees and they want them trained. Business is good.”
Genesis made a much-welcome return to the show after a five-year absence. Its general track was standing-room only, while paid courses proved popular as well.
This year’s edition of the expo also offered more pre-show courses than last year’s. In-demand offerings included a course that provided an overview on Florida’s new licensing requirements for gas appliances.
While final attendance figures were not available by press time, show organizers anticipated a larger turnout than last year because the International | Pool | Spa | Patio Expo will not be in the Sunshine State for some time. Exhibitors took up about 36,000 square feet of booth space. That’s up from 32,000 last year.
Of course it was not all hard work and no play. Cash giveaways and a welcome/awards reception also made up part of the event.
Next year’s Everything Under the Sun Expo will return to the Orange County Convention Center on Valentine’s Day.
