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How to Get the Most Out of Your 2021 PSP/Deck Expo Experience
From parties to contests to BBQs, the PSP/Deck Expo offers plenty of ways to mingle and network.
6 Min Read
Andy Meng
Finally, it’s here! Today, the 2021 PSP/Deck Expo show floor officially opens, and this year, nearly 350 exhibitors will be on hand showing attendees the latest and greatest products, services and technologies.
Additionally, more than 130 educational sessions are available to help pool and spa pros take their business to the next level.
Wondering where to go first and how best to network?
This guide is for you! The show offers plenty of events designed to create networking opportunities for attendees to mix and mingle with peers, colleagues, friends, mentors, and vendors. Attendees are encouraged to enrich their on-site experience by attending these events. Here’s a list of all that’s available starting today.
PHTA WAVE Young Professionals Network Event
Tuesday, Nov. 16 | 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. | Gilley's Dallas
Network and socialize with your fellow young professionals. Admission includes select alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and appetizers. Registration is free, but space is limited, so reserve your ticket when registering for the show.
Tuesday, Nov. 16 | 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. | Gilley's Dallas
Join your colleagues and kick off the week! The Welcome Party will be at a fun local spot: Gilley's Dallas! and feature food, drinks, and entertainment!
At the Welcome Party, attendees and exhibitors can network, see a great view of the Dallas skyline, and enjoy complimentary beer, wine, and appetizers. Trolleys will be available to take folks back and forth from the Omni Hotel (the host hotel).
The Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge
Wednesday, Nov. 17 | 1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. | Show Floor Education
The clients and their long list of requirements are fictitious but the contest is real. Design the ultimate outdoor oasis with a million-dollar budget. Five finalists, including one student, have been selected to receive a trip to the PSP/Deck Expo. Here, they will be present their rendering to their peers. Voting will be live and the winning designer will receive a $5,000 cash prize.
Wednesday, Nov. 17 | 5:00 pm–6:30 p.m. | Grill + Chill Area
Attendees can kick up their feet and enjoy a chill area. Once the expo hall closes on Wednesday, the BBQ Bash starts, outdoors, in the Grill + Chill Area. Attendees can network, enjoy refreshments (from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. courtesy of Watkins Wellness), and devour the goodies being roasted, grilled, poached, and more.
Pool Prize Party
Thursday, Nov. 18 | 1:30 p.m.–2:00 p.m. | Show Floor
The Pool Prize Party will wrap up the last day of the show with tons of laughter, excitement, and giveaways. Displayed within the Product Showcase will be various products in the Pool Prize Party. As an attendee, you will receive a raffle ticket to enter for a chance to win prizes. Collect additional tickets (and increase your chance of winning!) by visiting booths of participating exhibitors.
Lyon Financial's booth (#1935) will feature cash prize drawings daily at 2:30 p.m. and members of the Dallas Cowboys' cheerleading squad on Tuesday from 1-3 p.m.
Along with providing ample networking opportunities, the organizers of the PSP/Deck Expo have made tools to not only help you get the most out of your show but also ensure that you can report back to others what you took from your experience.
Just go to the PSP/Deck Expo website and click on “Attend” to see a full list of helpful info, including what’s new and a schedule of events. Click on “Education” to see a full list of all the seminars available including a breakdown of each type.
One of the most powerful tools in this arsenal is the “My Show Planner” tool. Here you'll be able to find exhibitors, sessions, and other events you'll be attending. Plus, it syncs with the show mobile app so you'll be able to see your itinerary, see products you are interested in, and save sessions to a personalized calendar. When you create a free My Show Planner account, you can:
Compile a must-see list of exhibitors by favoriting companies.
Build a calendar by adding sessions you have registered for and special events.
Print a map of the show floor highlighting the booths you plan to visit.
The Digital Show Guide is another useful tool that can be accessed on the go. Inside the Digital Show Guide you’ll find:
What's new at PSP/Deck Expo 2021
Conference program schedule
PHTA, GENESIS, and NADRA classes and Events
Special event details
Show floor highlights
Both the show guide and the digital planner can be easily accessed on the show floor with the PSP/Deck Expo mobile app. Here you'll be able to find exhibitors, sessions, and other events you'll be attending. Plus, it syncs with the show mobile app so you'll be able to see your itinerary, see products you are interested in, and save sessions to a personalized calendar. Just search for “PSP/Deck” in the Apple App Store or Android Marketplace to download this helpful app to your phone.
Finally, don’t miss the post-show report in the Justification Toolkit. The report gives you an easy way to quantify your PSP/Deck Expo experience, and submit it to your supervisor so they can see how valuable the trip was—and send you again next year!
Tuesday’s education schedule at the PSP/Deck Expo:
7:30–8:45 a.m.: B306: Elements of Litigation
7:30 –8:45 a.m.: Best Practices for an Optimized Service Department
7:30 –8:45 a.m.: C125: Fiberglass Construction
7:30–8:45 a.m.: D109: Design Fees – Charging for Design
7:30–8:45 a.m.: Deck Design for Hot Tubs
7:30–8:45 a.m.: E151: Do's and Don'ts of Engineering
7:30–8:45 a.m.: Saltwater Pool Troubleshooting: Beyond the Equipment
7:30–8:45 a.m.: Selling During & After A Pandemic: Coming Out Stronger
8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.: ASA Curso de educación para el lanzador de concreto (shotcrete) Presentado por la American Shotcrete Association (ASA)
8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.: ASA Shotcrete Nozzleman Education Course Presented by the American Shotcrete Association (English)
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.: NPC’s Start-Up Technician Certification Course
9:00–10:20 a.m.: It’s a Water-full Life
10:45–11:30 a.m.: Picture-Perfect Baluster Layout
11:00 a.m.–11:45 a.m.: Footings, Post Bases and Post to Beam
11:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.: D235: The Impact of Color on Your Brand
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: PHTA Apprenticeship Program For the Service Industry. Powered for You!
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: Jandy Variable Speed Pumps Installation, Programming and the New Dedicated Purpose Pool Pump Regulations with Hands-on Instruction
11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.: Exposing Dangerous Drains – Renovation of a Commercial Pool
11:30 a.m. –12:15 p.m.: Leak-Proof Ledger Flashing
11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: The 3 Critical Aspects of a Tried and True Ad Plan to Grow Your Retail Business
12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m.: Advanced Oxidation Process
12:30–1:30 p.m.: C352: Splash Pad Construction
12:30–1:30 p.m.: D325: Mind Reading Your Clients
1:00–1:45 p.m.: Deck Ledger Attachment: Codes and Installation Practices
1:00–2:30 p.m.: Next Level Connection Tips and Trick for Web Based Automation for the Pool & Spa Industry
1:30–2:15 p.m.: Ledgers
1:45–2:30 p.m.: Challenging Deck Ledger Installations - and Solutions
1:45–2:30 p.m.: From Search to Sold - 100% Digitally
2:00–3:00 p.m.: BUSINESS 2231: Create a Culture of Accountability
2:00–3:00 p.m.: D215: Intro to Pool Photography
2:00–3:00 p.m.: E312: Understanding Water Current
2:30–3:15 p.m.: Lateral Connections
3:00–4:30 p.m.: Introduction to ION Pool Care Software
3:15–4:00 p.m.: Deck Lateral Load Reinforcement
3:30–4:15 p.m.: Railings and Stairs
3:30–4:30 p.m.: C310: Interview with a Master
3:30–4:30 p.m.: Enhancing Your Digital Footprint
4:00–4:45 p.m.: Sizing Wood Deck Joists and Critical Installation Details
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