Pool Industry Expo
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History
PIE was founded in 1987 by a group of Northern California pool and spa professionals. Originally, the event aimed at increasing the technical knowledge and professional competency of service technicians. The inaugural PIE featured 25 training seminars and 30 exhibitors in Milpitas, Calif. Nearly 1,000 service techs, retailers and builders attended. It has since evolved into a leading builders' symposium.
Prior to its current home in Monterey, PIE has been hosted in San Jose, Calif.; Phoenix; and San Antonio. In 2009, PIE was held at the Portola Plaza Hotel.
Events
The three-day structure of the event includes daily exhibits. Seminars coincide with the trade show portion on the first day, and begin earlier in the morning the next two. Many equipment-related seminars are hosted by manufacturers.
Recent Seminar Topics:
- Two- and variable-speed pumps
- Pump rebate certification
- Low-NOx heaters
- Paperless customer service
- Brand-specific pool cleaners, heat pumps, salt generators, controls, etc.
- Spa control troubleshooting
- Basic and advanced water chemistry
- Pool discoloration
- Leadership and management skills
- Lawsuits, fines and jail
- Pool light repair
- Eco-friendly and "weird" water solutions
- Pool service 101
- Basic electricity
- Shotcrete application and repair
- Motor repair and "hybrid" motors
- Pool hydraulics
- Accounting
- Sales outside the industry
- Promoting and building a business
- Stain removal
- Anti-entrapment concerns
- Fiberoptic lighting
- Diagnosing plaster problems
Other Events:
- Antique Showcase: A collection of unique relics and highlights of the pool industry's past, including prototypes of existing products.
- Water Chemistry Certification: Under the sponsorship of IPSSA, certification in pool and spa water chemistry is issued during the seminar portion of PIE. IPSSA members receive an official decal in addition to the certificate. A specific one-hour time slot is scheduled prior to each Expo.
- Golf Tournament: Held prior to the trade show, typically at the end of September, the show hosts pool pros on a nearby course (in 2009, Poppy Hills) and for an awards dinner at the designated convention headquarters hotel.
Notable Figures
Production:
Past Seminar Leaders:
- Dan Jones, Hayward Pool Products
- Eric Christainsen, Pentair Water Pool and Spa
- Chris Kuttig, Hydro-Quip
- Wayne Ivusich, Taylor Technologies
- Dennis Chapman, Jack's Magic
- Tom Grucky, Raypak
- Terry Arko and Lance Pettyjohn, SeaKlear
- Ray Arouesty, Attorney at Law
- Dave Dickman, Service Industry News
- Representatives from Jandy/Zodiac
- Kim Skinner
- Que Hales
- Steve Dunn
- Manuela Reef, Poolvergnuegen
Upcoming Dates/Locations
2010: Sept. 30-Oct. 2, returning to the Monterey Convention Center
Featured Articles
Pool Industry Expo Turns 23 - Pool & Spa News - 10.21.2009
