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| A note from APSP CEO Rich Gottwald
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APSP
By now you may have heard that the unification talks with NSPF have ended. You can read the press release here. As your trade association, we view collaboration as positive for the industry and a task worthy of exploration with all aquatic groups. Despite this particular outcome, we remain committed to conversations and partnerships to advance our industry and to work for your business success. We are particularly proud of our work and partnership with the International Hot Tub Association; Pool and Hot Tub Council of Canada; The California Swimming Pool & Spa Association; The British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association; and other international organizations. There is much to be gained in collaboration and we will continue to look for opportunities to leverage our collective strength. Let me assure you that APSP continues to 1.) Fight for you against unfair laws and regulations; 2.) Be the industry leader in developing aquatic technical, standards and codes that keeps industry's interest aligned with safety for the consumer; and 3.) Develop world class aquatic education that addresses the full spectrum of workforce development — from vocational schools/apprentice programs to professional certifications — to help you hire qualified employees in your own communities. APSP's membership stands at nearly 3,100 companies and we are committed to our mission of making each of you more successful. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, suggestions or input you may have.
— Rich Gottwald
| APSP Winter Course lineup features special
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APSP
Make the most of your winter season and earn your APSP designation. Take 20% off all February live virtual courses using code 2017SAVE.
Live Virtual Courses:
Regional In-Person Courses:
Online Self-Paced Courses:
For more information, visit APSPUniversity.org, email the APSP University or call 703.838.0083 ext. 274.
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Promoted by
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| New minimum wage goes into effect in California
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APSP
As of January 1, California raised its minimum wage across the state to $10.50 per hour for companies with 26 or more employees. The minimum wage increases to $10 per hour for employers of 25 or fewer employees. The increase was a result of SB 3, signed last year by Governor Jerry Brown as part of a deal to move California towards a $15 per hour wage by the year 2022. The wage will continue to increase until 2022, going up to $11 per hour in 2018 and one dollar per year after that. Once the wage has reached $15, annual indexing will begin in 2023 that increases the wage indexed to the Consumer Price Index.
This wage increase will affect all businesses in California, although those with fewer than 25 employees will have an extra year to comply. The law also does not pre-empt the several cities in California that have voted to have wages exceeding both the federal and California minimums, with some going as high as $14.82 an hour. Those cities including Berkeley, Cupertino, Emeryville, Los Altos, Mountain View, Oakland, Palo Alto, Richmond, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale.
For more information, email Brittany Trudeau or call 916.447.5053.
| Call for nominations and entries for 2017 APSP Awards Program
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APSP
Make 2017 a great year for your company or an exceptional industry member by entering the 2017 APSP Awards program. Submit your nominations now for the CBP of the Year, CSP of the Year, Fellows, Retailer of the Year, Young Professionals of the Year and Chapter of the Year. New this year is the Retailer of the Year Award. The International Awards of Excellence program submission site opens on Jan. 15. Check out our 2016 Award winners in this video. For more information, visit APSP.org/Awards or email awards@apsp.org.
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The new ®ease Floating Sanitizing System from FROG puts consumers at ease with Fresh Mineral Water® benefits and SmartChlor® Technology that reduces chlorine use by 75% with shocking only once a month. The best part is the ®ease repeat business model with strong profits for retailers.
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| Save the date for upcoming events
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APSP
January:
March:
- March 3 | Training at the Zodiac Pool Systems Inc. California Headquarters
| Member Perks — Utility Consulting
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APSP
APSP endorses APPI Energy to provide data-driven procurement solutions that reduce and manage electricity and natural gas supply costs for members on an ongoing basis. Every day, APPI Energy identifies the wide range of energy supplier prices across the U.S., and the lowest prices available among many vetted, competing suppliers. To take advantage of this membership benefit program, contact Carrie Shepard at APPI Energy at 667.330.1167.
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| Renew your membership with low monthly payments
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APSP
We are pleased to offer members the convenient option to renew their membership in 12 equal monthly installments. Designed to make membership more accessible, this monthly installment plan allows you to continue to enjoy your APSP membership benefits for less than $50 per month. To take advantage of this member benefit, email APSP Member Services or call 703.838.0083 ext. 301.
| 43 individuals earn their APSP Certification in December
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APSP
Congratulations to our newly certified individuals!
CST Certified Service Technicians:
Joseph Cimino, Dolphin Pool Supply; Angel Gonzalez, North Fork Pool Care; Carlos Gonzalez, Pools by Paul Guillo, Inc.; Nicholas Grossenbacher, North Fork Pool Care and Dario Valencia, Cross Island Swim-Pool Service, Inc.
CMS Certified Maintenance Specialist:
Brian Caulfield; Egar Castillo Duarte, Suburban Pools, Inc.; Pablo Flores, Kazdin Pools, Inc.; Richard Freer, Leslie's Poolmart; Melvin Garcia, Larry Berman Pools; Scott Goobie and Neil Wasserman
CHTT Certified Hot Tub Technician:
Kirk Andrew, 1 AK Services LLC
CBP Certified Building Professional:
Michale Akins, Ocean Quest Pools by Lew Akins; Gary Barber, Calais Spas Limited; Tony Campbell, Campbell's Pool & Spa, Inc.; Randy Crites, Splash Zone; John Cvetic, Aquality Construction; Bryan Dishner, Cody Pools, Inc.; Kevin Eisermann, Four Seasons Swimming Pool Service, Inc.; Jeff Fitterling, Pool Pros of St. Louis; Jason Gilliana, Anthony & Sylvan Pools; David Harvey, Pool Professionals of the Carolinas, Inc.; Tosh Kazdal; Matthew Ketcham; Micah Kingsbury, Aquality Construction; Dwayne LaLande, Rawlin Johnson Inc, DBA The Pool Guy; Sean Lewing, Aquascapes, LLC; Jeff Lindland, Emerald Pool and Patio; Jeffrey Ludlow, Dolphin Pools, Inc.; Brian Miller, Quality Swimming Pools, Inc.; Daniel Morris, Morris Pools LLC; Sean Nye, Aquality Construction; Jared Parish, Pools-n-More; Walter Prescott, Aquascapes, LLC; Adam Schewe, Aquality Construction; Brandon Stephens, Backyard Amenities, Inc.; Michael Todd, Rainbow Pools & Construction Co.; Jomar Tollinchi, Anthony Sylvan Pools; Casey Treese; Frank Vidaurri, Parmer Sales and Guy Wood, Westside Watershapes.
For more information visit APSPUniversity.org, email the APSP University or call 703.838.0083 ext. 274.
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The Genesis Blu Fusion is a powerful saltwater bromine generator that uses Dead Sea salt to create silky smooth, safe, clean water without any chlorine. The unit installs in just 20 minutes on any spa and reduces water changes to just once per year, saving thousands of gallons of water.
Find out more information
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The borate technology in ProTeam’s multi-performance High Tech Tabs will keep your customers’ pools in balance.
The consumer rebates will keep their checkbooks in balance too.
High Tech Tabs are the key to the ProTeam four-step program. Check out the entire line at www.proteampoolcare.com or email marketing@havilandusa.com.
Read more
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| APSP welcomes 12 new members in December
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APSP
Welcome into the APSP family. With the support and participation from members like you, we are able to build the industry and grow our member's businesses. Thank you!
New Members — December 1-January 1
- A1 Pool Service | Wintersville, OH
- Browns Pools, Inc. | Douglasville, GA
- Custom Pool Crafters, LLC | Marietta, GA
- Downunda Pools Inc. | Humble, TX
- Ground Effects LLC | Hookstown, PA
- Jessie Ethridge Pools Inc. | Bremen, GA
- MLH Pool Services | Muscle Shoals, AL
- Monosol LLC. | Merrillville, IN
- Poolside Services | Doylestown, PA
- Pristine Pools Texas | San Antonio, TX
- Smart Build Construction | Hesperia, CA
- Stonewall Design & Construction | Shrewsbury, PA
H2Insider
Writes Jake Ricks, Digital Marketing Manager at Bullfrog Spas: "With nearly a decade in the business I can say I've seen many interesting changes. However, I don't think I've ever seen the pace of change affecting retail in the way we're seeing it today. If you haven't yet made your resolutions, or you've already broken them and are looking for new ones, this list of trends and predictions for 2017 could help."
READ MORE
Pool and Spa News
According to an independent market research firm, the ultraviolet disinfection market will expand to reach an estimated value of $2.5 billion in 2019. Based on a $993 million value in 2012, New York-based Persistence Market Research also predicts a compound annual growth rate of 14.1 percent in the years from 2013 to 2019.
READ MORE
Aqua Magazine
Writes Alice Cunningham: "For all of the obvious importance of professional education and the hopeful rhetoric that surrounds it, I can't help but think, as an industry, we've come up short. That's not to say that we're entirely lacking in educational opportunities. Where I believe we're missing the mark is in our reluctance to embrace resources from outside our industry, meaning those authoritative voices that speak to the overall challenges of running a business."
READ MORE
By Doug Jacobs
 It is difficult for small business owners to pass on any opportunity to make a few dollars. We take any job that comes along and hope it will turn a nice profit. However, many times these are the jobs that bite us in the proverbial rear end. We often do not know the pitfalls or problems that can occur. And we end up spending too much time — or worse, dollars — to fix the issues. But there is a surefire way to avoid this problem: Simplify.
READ MORE
EBN
Technology, from smartphones to the Internet, is giving consumers an increasing amount of control over their e-commerce transactions. In addition to connecting traditional back-office activities with the consumer, this has also transformed what a winning supply chain strategy looks like. Instead of a product first approach, retailers need to put the consumer first.
READ MORE
| SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT |
By Emma Fitzpatrick
 The New Year is abuzz with energy. Resolutions are made, and goals are set. You and your business are ready to tackle the new year with gusto. As you work towards your Q1 goals and finalize year-end targets, look toward the future, too. Below are the top three digital marketing trends for 2017. Perhaps you'll want to work these into your plans for the year as well.
READ MORE
By Fred Berns
 "I don't watch the wall," race car driver Mario Andretti supposedly said when asked for his secret of success. Wise words. It's wisdom based on a simple truth: what you think about, you bring about. Drivers who constantly watch and worry and fret about the wall too often end up crashing into it. Are you "watching the wall" in your business? Are you spending your time obsessing about price objections, pesky competitors, slumping sales, labor shortages or additional hardships?
READ MORE
The Atlantic
As some types of manufacturing disappear in America — manual jobs that can be performed in places like Mexico where there are lower wages, and repetitive ones that can be automated — other types are growing. So-called advanced manufacturing, which is highly specialized and requires a facility with computers, is actually expanding.
READ MORE
Forbes
American manufacturing is either on the cusp of a remarkable renaissance or in the throes of a long-term death spiral. And there's plenty of data and anecdotal evidence to satisfy both views.
READ MORE
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