2007 AQUA Show delivers valuable event

AQUA Show to merge with International Pool & Spa Expo | Backyard Living Expo in 2008

-- Casual Living, 12/12/2007 6:41:00 AM

The 2007 AQUA Show, held Nov. 14-16 in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, proved to be a substantial event for the spa and pool industry with 71,000 net square feet of exhibits (710 booths), 275 exhibiting companies and 4,430 in attendance.

The comprehensive educational program included 47 sessions presented by industry experts that provided fresh and creative ideas, insight, techniques, inspiration and solid retailer advice to further business success for all spa and pool professionals.  Pool builders, service technicians, landscape architects and designers also were provided expert technical seminars to further their business efforts. Brian Dyches’ pre-conference workshop, “Power Workshop — A Day of Retail Renewal,” featured an in-depth store design for profit curriculum specifically for the spa/pool/backyard retailer and was well received.

More than 150 industry professionals took advantage of the Genesis 3 educational offerings that included a Drawing Seminar and seven 20-hour Design School courses, along with the popular Family Reunion & Winemaker Dinner and “Pig Run” Motorcycle Ride. Additionally, The Genesis 3 Design Group’s Educational Studio, sponsored by Structure Studios, featured four free seminars on the AQUA Show floor.

The Town Hall—“Come & Be Heard” allowed four industry professionals to share personal hands-on experience, field audience questions and disclose valuable take-away advice -- suggestions from real people working on real jobs. Mandalay Bay’s House of Blues set the stage for the sold-out Industry Celebration, sponsored by Spa Toter and Cal Spas.

“The AQUA Show 2007 was a strong show this year, with an extraordinary line-up of seminars, attendees and exhibitors,” said Rick McConnell, vice president of Hanley Wood Exhibitions. “We are committed to maintaining the unique aspects that make up the AQUA Show when it is combined next year with the International Pool & Spa Expo and Backyard Living Expo as the new International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo in Las Vegas.” 

Responding to the needs of attendees, exhibitors and industry leaders, Hanley Wood Exhibitions announced on Nov. 15, in Las Vegas that the International Pool & Spa Expo | Backyard Living Expo will merge with the AQUA Show in 2008 for a mega combination show that will generate tremendous growth opportunities for the pool, spa and backyard marketplace. 

By uniting the industry under one roof, this show leverages the strengths of all three shows to create the most comprehensive, informative and business-building event in the industry, resulting in a wider audience of attendees and exhibitors.

Debuting Nov. 18-20, 2008, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the new combination show has been renamed the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo. Along with the tagline of “The Backyard Experience,” the new show name defines the event’s focus and better reflects the multiple markets served by the show. The International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo is owned and produced by Hanley Wood Exhibitions.

For more information about the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, call 972-536-6350 or 888-869-8522.