POOL & SPA INDUSTRY
Industry Reacts To Current Challenges In this latest issue, BSPF Managing Director Chris Hayes provides an update of what’s been happening across the industry and what’s on the horizon
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hen there have been so many traumatic events this year, it is always heartening to be able to provide positive news. The industry campaign #everydaycation has been making some excellent progress in promoting the products and services our industry can offer to create lifestyle opportunities for consumers. You can read more about the campaign (overseen by PIP) and being delivered by Sallie Leslie-Golding on page 34. A huge amount of guidance has been issued in our industry from various organisations, and my thanks are expressed to the members of the various Boards, Councils and Committees for their superb contributions to providing information for the industry. This work will need to continue to evolve as government guidance changes over time. There has been a deliberate policy decision from BISHTA and SPATA, where applicable, to work in a multi-agency approach to provide industry guidance and a good example is the materials in many of the recent Technical Notes from PWTAG, as this helps to avoid duplication of information. During this uncertain time, the importance of workforce development and education has never been higher. After realising that even with some lockdown easing, there might be many people preferring to receive their training online, there are plans underway to offer at least some of the courses as live
online sessions. A number of the courses may still require elements of physical attendance at a venue to undertake a practical assessment (but this will, of course, follow social distancing guidance in smaller groups, than usual). Examples of courses under discussion for online or a blended course also involving physical attendance include BISHTA’s water hygiene management and the final electrical connections course provided by NICEIC. It is hoped to have at least some Dangerous Goods courses also available online. Some face-to-face training for venues such as holiday parks is essential and will need to take place with adjustments. Similarly, SPATA will be reviewing which of its industry courses can be provided online. In keeping with the current views of members, BISHTA and SPATA will be offering their annual Information and Networking Days in October as online-only events. SPATA will be holding their online day on Thursday 1 October, and BISHTA will be holding their day on Tuesday 13 October. Details for these events will be available at the end of August, so please look on the respective BISHTA and SPATA websites for more information. News of the events will also be shared in BISHTA News and SPATA News (now being sent out on a Wednesday). With the 2021 British Pool & Hot Tub Awards now being open online for BISHTA and SPATA members to enter, Sallie LeslieGolding explains more about the value of entering the awards on page 33. Some of the British Pool & Hot Tub Award winners have been shortlisted for entry into the European Pool & Spa Awards 2020 which will be announced at Global Piscine Europe (now taking place in February 2021). The organisers are still finalising further details
A huge amount of guidance has been issued in our industry from various organisations, and my thanks are expressed to the members of the various Boards, Councils and Committees for their superb contributions”
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of the exact date and time of the ceremony. Congratulations to all of the members that have been shortlisted, please see pages 30 to 32 to view the British entries. The BSPF is heavily involved in promoting the pool, hot tub and wellness industry, not only in the UK but overseas. Working collaboratively to support colleagues in Europe (through the European Union of Swimming Pool and Spa Associations – EUSA) and through the World Alliance of Pool and Spa Associations (WAPSA). The next EUSA meeting takes place on Monday 21 September, and the next WAPSA meeting is scheduled for Monday 14 October 2020. Valuable lessons can be learned (and shared) with our colleagues around the world and put into practice for the benefit of members and the wider industry. With exhibitions being permitted to reopen in England from 1 October this year, SPATEX 2021 preparations continue in full swing. Michele Bridle and Helen Mulingani are in discussions with the Ricoh Arena about the COVID-secure measures that will be put into place and what will be the expectations on SPATEX as an organiser. The government and venue guidance will continue to evolve, and both SPATEX exhibitors and visitors will be able to keep up to date by visiting www. spatex.co.uk as soon as the information is confirmed. Stay safe.
DIARY DATES 2020 21 Sep 23 Sep 24 Sep 28 Sep 1 Oct 6 Oct 13 Oct 5 Nov
EUSA Meeting, Zoom SPATA National Council, WebEx BSPF Board, WebEx BISHTA Committee, WebEx SPATA Information Day, WebEx SPATA Technical Committee, WebEx BISHTA Annual Information Day, WebEx SPATA National Council & AGM, Andover
2021 2 – 4 Feb SPATEX, Coventry
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