It’s been a long time since I’ve gone down a deep reporting rabbit hole, but I could not stop digging up nuggets while working on this story about the history of swim spas (to the detriment of all my other work). If you listen to The SpaRetailer Podcast, you’ll know I love learning the history of the hot tub industry and this research kept giving. Thank you to all the people who talked to me for this (and answered my incessant follow-up questions) — there were so many others I would have loved to talk to, but I ran out of time. Which is why there will be a part two in the next issue. If I’m missing some key information, or if you know someone who worked at any of these early swim spa manufacturers, I’d love for you to send them my way.
This swim spa story isn’t the only thing in this issue though — we spend a good bit of real estate on events. We’ve got an entire event playbook for you (Page 42), a profile on two of the top event-sellers in the industry (Page 46) and a discussion about marketing strategies to keep your event momentum going (Page 28 and Page 36).
I had the privilege to hear Ben Peart speak earlier this year, and his presentation on the science behind our products is one of the best I’ve experienced. Please take the time to read, study and memorize these crucial facts (Page 50).
I’d also like to welcome two new CEOs to the industry — Robert Baird took the helm at Jacuzzi earlier this year and is profiled in this issue (Page 34) and Josh Cowley was named CEO at May Manufacturing (makers of Artesian, Marquis and Nordic).
Don’t forget that the Pool | Spa | Patio Expo is a month earlier this year in October! We’ll cover that in our next issue as well as name our 2025 30 Under 40s.
Best,
Megan
megan@kendrickcontent.com