CEO Message

Chris Samartzis, CEO - MPBAA

The last two months have certainly highlighted how the lingering effects of Covid have disrupted businesses throughout Australia.

Like many other Pool and Spa Shows around the country, the largest and most sophisticated Aquatics show in the southern hemisphere also succumbed to Omicron when cancelled in late January.

Although difficult, we strongly believe that the ethical and responsible decision was to protect the safety and commercial interests of our exhibitors and stakeholders by cancelling Melbourne’s iconic Pool and Spa + Outdoor Living Expo.

Many exhibitors outlined their concerns to us prior to the event and regardless of the impact the cancellation of our Expo would mean, our board felt that cancellation was the only commercially responsible option to protect all exhibitors and their staff, and importantly - consumers.

It remains our belief that a one-dimensional approach to exhibitions is a false premise that cannot survive long term. Consumers need to feel engaged at a sophisticated event where there is a varied and comprehensive range of choice across the sectors of our industry. An event where the consumer is part of an all-encompassing customer experience all weekend. Anything less than this, we believe, will eventually undermine the success of such consumer lead expos and ultimately drive a downturn in attendance and along with it the success of such future events for our businesses.

For those exhibitors interested in a sustainable sophisticated model with thousands of qualified attendees who are invested in coming along and being immersed in the high-quality full-service offering, the team led by Conrad welcome your interest.

Although difficult, we strongly believe that the ethical and responsible decision was to protect the safety and commercial interests of our exhibitors and stakeholders by cancelling Melbourne’s iconic Pool and Spa + Outdoor Living Expo.

Professionalism & Standards

On another note, here at MPBAA we have been championing the need to raise standards in our industry for decades. We not only preach this, but we live it every day for others to follow. Of late we have had feedback from members concerned with the level of unethical behaviour of some builders who are not members of MPBAA but choose to solicit our members for commercial gain.

We have had members approached by non-members purporting to be consumers interested in our members pricing and product range. Not only do these people drive standards down, but they also destroy consumer confidence.

We take this opportunity to remind members of such behaviour and to be vigilant when approached by others regarding your pricing and any other intellectual property questions.

As an organisation that champions ethical and professional behaviour, we take these incursions as serious breaches of trust. In all cases, these purveyors of intellectual property theft are not members of our association and I urge all pool and spa builders to be aware of such behaviour.

We take this opportunity to remind members of such behaviour and to be vigilant when approached by others regarding your pricing and other intellectual property questions.

Pools & Spas - A Backyard Revolution

The alfresco area has become synonymous with the need for a useable space that not only gives aesthetic beauty but also promotes healthy living.

Pools and Spas – they’re more than just a place to splash around.

Today more than ever, the humble backyard swimming pool and spa has become an integral part of the home. Not only in Australia - but around the world - we are witnessing the renaissance of aquatic wellness on many levels. In Australia, the backyard revolution is being turbo charged by covid-19, low interest rates and the aspirational ideas of a staycation – changing the dynamics of our homes.

For many years, families mingled within a formal dining and sitting area. 20 years later, the kitchen emerged as the main conversation and dining room and then unsurprisingly the family began to move outside into an alfresco living area. With this natural progression, the alfresco area has become synonymous with the need for a useable space that not only gives aesthetic beauty but also promotes healthy living.

Our backyards are now set to undergo yet another revolution as they become the home of healthy living and wellbeing, perhaps the yoga studios of the future. Core data from the Global Wellness Institute suggests that the growth trajectory of health and wellness will continue for many years to come.

Covid-19 has just fed into the psyche of those pursuing wellness and health. The report by SPORTAUS (The State of Play) provides us accurate data with the average Australian going to a public pool 4.4 times a year – that’s more than 100 million visits annually. Further, latest statistics state that the annual population estimate for Australian Adults 15+ participating in Swimming was 2,984,880 (or 14.8% of the Adult 15+ population). Participation was slightly bent towards females (1,681,320 or 16.5% of the female population), with females accounting for 56% of overall participation. However, male participation was also high at 13.1%. What does this mean for us?

With participation rates increasingly steadily from early adulthood to its peak around 35-44 years of age, and again at 45-54 years of age, we can easily contend that swimming or spa therapy is something that Australians embrace throughout their lifetime.

Investing in a pool or spa, clearly represents more than just a fun place for children to splash around. With the health and wellness industry only gaining in strength and popularity, there is distinct correlation between the cost and installation of creating this space and the value proposition a pool or spa gives Australians in the future.

Food for thought.

We hope you enjoy your read of our latest edition of AQUA and keep well.

Chris Samartzis

“Covid-19 has just fed into the psyche of those pursuing wellenss and health....with the average Australian going to a public pool 4.4 times a year - that’s more than 100 million visits annually.”