Pool & Spa Expo beats expectations

Staff -- Casual Living, 1/1/2008 12:00:00 AM

Energy filled the Orange County Convention Center and exhibitors were elated by three days of steady traffic during the 2007 International Pool & Spa ¦ Backyard Living Expo in Orlando, Fla.

Preliminary estimates indicated total attendance was above 13,000 and exceeded by 3% the 2005 Orlando show's verified attendee numbers. Participants at the Nov. 28–30, 2007 event came from all segments of the backyard living industry, from all 50 states and 66 countries.

"Attendees know there is no better way to stay on the cutting-edge of the pool, spa and backyard living industry than to attend the IPSE ¦ BLE," said Donna Bellantone, director.

"We attend every year and every time we bring back ways to expand and enhance our business," said Debbie Willard of Splash Pools & Spas. "We are excited to implement the information we gained from the seminars and the show."

"We were very pleased by the quality of the vendors," said Tim Coleman, managing partner of Augusta Aquatics. "The seminars were current and informative to issues we are dealing with on our projects, providing great insights of what to expect in the coming years."

With 252,000 net square feet of exhibit space, the tradeshow featured an array of products, new value-added services and innovative ideas in pools, spas, hot tubs, water features, casual furniture, pumps and heaters, lighting, landscape decor, hearth and grills.

Don Gaylord of Modern Home Products described the Expo as fantastic. "It's always been a good show for us," he said.

"This was one of the best shows we've ever exhibited at. The quality of attendees was outstanding," said Dennis Dickey of Landmann USA. "The leads we'll take away are definitely going to generate some new business."

Of the 768 exhibiting companies, 167 companies were first-time exhibitors or had been missing for several years.

Bob Kreitz, president of National Pool Wholesalers, was exhibiting its tikis, saunas and gazebos for the first time. "We didn't know what to expect, but the foot traffic has been so much," he said. "The whole Hawaiian theme is taking off dramatically because everyone wants to take a piece of their vacation home and put it in their backyard."

"This was our first year exhibiting at the IPSE ¦ BLE and the show far exceeded our expectations," said Marvin Gorovitz, president of Mart Products. "Most attendees who visited our booth were owners, buyers and decision-makers, resulting in sales and quality leads."

In 2008, the IPSE ¦ BLE and AQUA Show will combine into one mega show, renamed International Pool ¦ Spa ¦ Patio Expo.

The 2008 Expo will be held Nov. 18–20 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The educational conference will be held Nov. 15–20 and will feature 75+ seminars.

For more information, visit www.PoolandSpaExpo.com or call 888-869-8522.

For the first time, the Expo displayed a New Product Pavilion to the delight of many attendees.