November 11–13, 2020
Poolspapatio.com
As Las Vegas remains a pandemic hot spot, the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo is going virtual for 2020. Hot tub professionals have mixed feelings: While they understand the need to avoid large crowds, they say they’ll miss connecting with fellow dealers and manufacturers.
As the industry does its best to embrace the future, a virtual expo allows attendance at a larger number of seminars for personal and business development. Here’s a mock-up webinar schedule to help you get the most out of this year’s virtual event.
Day 1: Wednesday, November 11
10-11:15 a.m. EST (Live)
Power Panel: Retail
Presented by Matt Gohlke, president at Gohlke Pools; Mallory Bjekich-Wachowski, retail operations manager at DesRochers Backyard Pools and Spas; Jane Merritt, owner at Anchor Pools & Spas Inc.
Designed especially for pool, spa, and backyard retailers, this live Power Panel will bring together the best forward-thinking minds in the industry. During this fast-paced, interactive session, ask questions and hear real solutions to today’s toughest issues, including:
The Pandemic
- How has your year been?
- How was your area impacted?
- Did you ever close your retail store?
- Did you do anything differently (free delivery/curbside service etc.)?
Business Operation
- What software do you use?
- What KPIs (if any) do you use?
Staffing
- How do you hire your retail store staff? Where do you find them?
- What is your training process?
- Do they have a procedural manual? Checklists?
- Plus more in marketing, inventory management, competition, and the future of retail.
On Demand
Winning Customer Satisfaction — How to Win Your Clients’ Hearts, Minds and Wallets*
Presented by Brett Abbott, strategic and tactical marketing systems, Pool Builders
This session will show you how to create a culture within your company that encourages all employees to maximize customer satisfaction without “giving away the farm.” It includes specific tips on:
- Dealing with angry customers
- Dealing with negative reviews
- Getting employees to take ownership of problems
- Becoming memorable in the minds of your clients
On Demand
The 10 Keys to Retail Store Success!*
Presented by Matthew Gray, retail & hot tub sales manager at Gohlke Pools
A successfully trained and experienced manager will share how they continue to survive and thrive in an increasingly difficult retail environment. You’ll learn how to:
- Market your retail store to ensure success against internet competition
- Properly staff a retail store: hiring, training and compensating for success
- Set up and implement procedures and checklists to create a less stressful and more profitable retail store
- Make your retail store a fun place for both consumers and staff
On Demand
Bouncing Forward: Ideas to Remain Afloat and Profitable!*
Presented by Anne Obarski, president at Merchandise Concepts
How are you maintaining a strong online presence? Have you developed a new strategy to stay in touch with your current and potential customers through virtual and video? Is your website and social media maintained at the highest level? Has your unique proposition changed in your customers’ mind? Are they your best cheerleaders?
Staying strong in this ever-changing business horizon means NOT changing everything you do, but doing everything you do a little bit better.
Objectives:
- Discover the strongest performers in your digital platform — and the ones you should delete
- Develop strategies to stay in touch with your customers virtually
- Uncover the real descriptors your customers are using to describe you — and learn why
- Understand how little changes in three areas will breathe fresh air into your business.
“We will still be participating in the PSP this year. Having it brought to us is great. It is always important to stay up to date with trends and see new products. It needs to be heavily videoed and maybe even do signups for private tours of new products with the vendors.”
David Townley
Owner, Townley Pools & Spas
Little Rock, Arkansas
Day 2: Thursday, November 12
On Demand
Managing Effectively Through Effective Leadership*
Presented by Mario Rossetti, president at Rossetti Enterprises, LLC
Management may be the most misunderstood sector in the company structure. It seems as if every year there is a new management style promoted to business owners. This seminar cuts through the hype and centers on the key to great management: Leadership.
Learning Objectives
- Prepare to become a successful manager
- Discover what leadership is really all about
- Uncover the best attributes of the successful manager
- Determine how to measure success in management
On Demand
Secrets to Retail Merchandising: Beating the Big Box Stores*
Presented by Mario Rossetti, president at Rossetti Enterprises, LLC
The small industry retailer has had a difficult time overcoming the lure of big-box stores’ inventory selection, floor space and low prices. This seminar will explore innovative options available to the small retailer that may help even the odds for continuing sales success.
Learning Objectives
- Identify why big-box stores have been successful in pushing price over value
- Learn the weaknesses in the low-price philosophies of big-box stores
- Assess opportunities for success made available by big-box marketing philosophies
- Increase success by applying effective systems and procedures that cannot be easily imitated or duplicated by big-box stores
On Demand
Why You Can’t Afford to Ignore Google: Practical Tips to Gain an Advantage Online*
Presented by Brandon Schmidt, director of digital strategy at YDOP
Your potential customers are using Google to research their next deck or patio project. Will they find you or your competition? In this session, discover practical tips on how to stand out online and connect with your target customers.
“I am not sure what to think of the virtual Expo this year. I have been going to industry trade shows for 40 years, so I guess I am a bit old fashioned. I think the most powerful part of the shows are the conversations and interactions that happen in the show aisles, and at events and meetings off the show floor. We typically meet with key suppliers at the show, but those meetings will have to happen another way this year. We have been successful over the years finding new products in the smaller, unknown booths rather than the big booths, and our inability to walk the smaller booths will not allow us to see new and innovative products. The educational components of the show will be more effectively delivered online, but it is the in-person stuff we will miss.”
Brian Quint
Senior vice president, Aqua Quip
Seattle
Day 3: Friday, November 13
On Demand
10 Ways to Crush the Competition** | B208
0.1 IACET CEUs
Presented by Brian Van Bower, SWD Master; CEO at Aquatic Consultants, Inc.; and ambassador and co-founder of GENESIS
This session will explore how to find the right clientele for you and your business. Discussion topics include identifying your best clientele, establishing confidence in your customer service and leading your team through a project while maintaining work/life balance.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify your personal style
- Illustrate and improve your level of customer satisfaction
- Discuss who your clients are — and who isn’t your client
- Learn to focus on the most important things first
- Take command of the work/life balance and play as hard as you work
On Demand
Identifying New Business & Design Trends** | D131
0.1 IACET CEUs
Presented by Feras Irikat, director of marketing and design at Lunada Tile
With his finger on the pulse of design trends from iPhones to interior design, Feras Irikat will explain why things look the way they do and how that subconsciously affects purchasing decisions. These trends — such as mixing finishes and styles in an eclectic, tasteful way — run across multiple product categories, including automobiles.
Learning Objectives:
- Capture, process and analyze design trend signs
- Recognize the evolution of design trends and explore inspirations that influence today’s design
- Identify market strategies and innovative ways to reach a new audience
- Identify the ever-changing consumer and how design influences their purchasing decisions
- Examine the latest in home design and colors
“We were very disappointed to hear of the decision to make the conference virtual this year. The past several years, we have attended and placed several thousands of dollars worth of orders with various companies. Sometimes a product is better received when seen in person versus a static picture in an email. We are also missing out on a ton of educational and networking opportunities. I know courses will be available online, but it is from the interactions in classes between peers that I have learned the most. While I can understand the decision not to have the event, our industry would have been better served to have the event while taking proper precautions and allowing participants who do not feel comfortable not to attend instead of forcing that decision on everyone.”
Ken Thompson
Owner, Clarity Pool & Patio
Auburn, Indiana
*These on-demand classes were chosen from the 2020 education lineup, and are being made available for free to all attendees. Starting November 11 and running until 30 days post-show, you can explore the education at your leisure. It is highly recommended, however, for attendees to a start during the show days of November 11 to 13, when select instructors will be available for a Q&A.
**GENESIS classes with CEU credits. With the PHTA/GENESIS Bundle, you’re still getting cutting edge education, just with the bonus of credit hours. All 10 courses, plus the free courses, and a pass to the virtual expo hall, are available for $199. These classes are also available starting November 11 until 30 days post-show, with select instructors available during show days for Q&A.