CHAIRPERSON REPORT There is no mistaking that SPASA Australia has gone from strength to strength since its inception. With over 775 members, SPASA Australia currently possesses the highest number of members of any Swimming Pool & Spa Association. The association has been designed to evolve and be self sustainable, ensuring its viability well into the future. The past 12 months has been no exception, with a focus on consolidation of last years achievments and expansion into new markets such as New Zealand. SPASA Australia has placed a high level of emphasis on the creation and delivery of various training initiatives. Being able to provide professional training and support ensures that as an industry, we are equipped to deal with the everchanging regulatory demands that we all face. The continued professionalism of RTO Manager, Peter Holland and the appointment of RTO Administrator, Nicole Daws as enabled the association to promote solid career paths and significantly expand our training offerings. This not only assists in upskilling existing industry staff but also aids in attracting new people into our businesses as a attractive career opportunity. With environmental pressures continually being an important consideration, SPASA Australia recognised the need for an initiative and launched the Climate Care Certification Program, the first efficiency and sustainability certification program promoting products to regulators and consumers. 2018 saw a few new faces join the SPASA Team. SPASA AUSTRALIA - ANNUAL REPORT 2018
Membership Executives, Rodney Smith and Luke Daly have been working in field to provide a higher level of communication and support in order to better service our members. Over the past year we have also seen a few members of the SPASA team move on from the association due to either retirement or to seek alternate career opportunities. Thank you to Adrian Hart, Diane Turas, Vicki Taylor and Megan McElhinney for their time and commitment to the industry. We wish them all the best with their future endeavours. In August 2018, SPASA Australia successfully ran the SPLASH! Pool & Spa Trade Show for the first time. This event achieved a record number of exhibitors and attendees with plans to expand by a further 30% due to the event being a complete sell out. As an industry, it is important that we continue to promote our products to end consumers. Pool & Spa Events and Expo’s are an integral part of this strategy. This year has also seen the NSW Pool, Spa & Outdoor Living Expo achieve another strong result with the SA event also gaining momentum and getting stronger and better. In addition to the Australian events, in May 2019, SPASA Australia will host the first ever Pool & Spa Show to take place in Auckland, New Zealand. The SPLASH! Magazine has been achieving strong results. Working alongside the Pool & Spa Magazine, both publications aim to deliver better content to the industry. PAGE 7
