After a failed attempt nearly three years ago the Association of Pool and Spas Professionals (APSP) and the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) announced recently that the two organizations will join to form the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance which is scheduled to begin operating later this year in April.
The newly formed Pool and Hot Tub Alliance will serve as the umbrella and will oversee two divisions, one for trade activities and one for foundation activities. The trade division will be called The Pool and Hot Tub Professionals Association and the foundation division will be called The Pool and Hot Tub Foundation. The trade division will manage certifications, standards, awards, and services available to members. The foundation division will manage education, research, grants, and fund raising efforts.
The new organization and two divisions will have a single board of directors made up of ten members (5 from the APSP and 5 from the NSPF) and are expected to hold their first meeting in March of this year.
Ultimately, the integration of these two organizations, will give the industry one louder voice for advocacy and promotion of the pool and spa industry while the combing of resources will promote best practices, reduce duplicate efforts, and create better training, certification, and educational services for members.
