2011 Int'l Pool | Spa | Patio Expo to feature Power Panels

Power Panels address strategies for retailers, builders and service

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 10/4/2011 9:23:00 AM

A series of one-hour Power Panels will be held at the 2011 Int'l Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, each targeting a specific niche with strategies and solutions for business success.

Taking place immediately prior to the opening of the show on Wednesday, Nov. 2, the panels will be held from 9:45-10:50 a.m.

"The Power Panels are just one example of the Int'l Pool | Spa | Patio Expo's commitment to offering valuable learning opportunities to help attendees sustain and grow their businesses," said Lindsay Roberts, director of the Expo. "Attendees will really enjoy these fast-paced, interactive sessions featuring real solutions for tackling tough issues facing today's pool/spa professionals."

The Retail Power Panel will discuss customer service, advertising and marketing, customer retention, fighting the big box stores, consumer trends, new technologies and more. Moderator Penny Johnson, owner of Alabama-based Johnson Pools and Spas, will lead the distinguished panel including:

+ Matt Gohlke, CBP, owner, Gohlke Pools, Texas
+ Chris Callanan, CST, owner, North Shore Pool Supply, Massachusetts
+ Shawn Maynard, owner, Bullfrog Spas of Ogden, Utah

The Retail Power Panel is sponsored by Evosus Business Management Software, which will be exhibiting in booth 819.

The Builder Power Panel will discuss insights on emerging technologies, economic trends, industry issues, the state of the industry, growth opportunities and more. Moderator Lew Akins, CBP, president of Ocean Quest Pools by Lew Akins, Texas, will lead the illustrious panel including:

+ Jeff Fausett, CBP, president, Aquatech Corporation
+ Ron Lacher, CBP, P.E., President, Pool Engineering, Inc.
+ Pam Vinje, Director of Social Media, APSP

The Service Power Panel will discuss trends, innovative technologies, industry challenges and growth issues - and how they affect the service business. Moderator Steve Gorlin, CBP, CSP, president of Gorlin Pools and Spas, NY, will lead the prestigious panel including:

+ Dave Hawes, President, H&H Pool Service
+ Michael Love, Love Pool Care
+ Tim McCue, Ohio Pool Works

"These select groups of panelists have great insight to the issues facing the industry," said Bill Weber, president and CEO of APSP, the show's official sponsor. "These will be very informative and interesting discussions, so I encourage all of our members to register for a Power Panel."

To stimulate the discussion and get ‘real' questions answered, participants will have the opportunity to submit questions while registering to attend the show.

The Power Panels are included free of charge in all registration packages. Registration is required and can be completed online.

The 2011 Int'l Pool | Patio | Spa Expo will be held Nov. 2-4, in the Bayside Halls at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

For information about the Int'l Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, visit www.poolspapatio.com/attendee or call 972.536.6350 or 888.869.8522.