Hot tub and pool specialists will be asked for their views as part of a historic debate on the future of the BSPF President’s role during next week’s BISHTA Conference and the SPATA Conference in October.
Members of the BSPF (British Swimming Pool Federation) team are currently conducting the final preparations for this year’s Annual Conferences for BISHTA and SPATA, which are both being hosted in Andover but being held separately to maximise the content for each of the trade associations at their respective days. BISHTA’s Conference is on Tuesday, September 29; and SPATA’s Conference is on Thursday, October 8; and the attendees will determine if the BSPF President title is to continue after the next two representatives from the wet leisure sector serve their 12-month period of office.
BSPF PR and Marketing Manager Sallie Golding reported that the appointments of Spa Crest and Villeroy & Boch specialist hot tub retailer Alex Kemsley from Waterstream in 2016 and Will Dando MISPE in 2017 as BSPF Presidents will go ahead as planned. If the majority of BISHTA and SPATA members agree, though, their respective chairmen’s position could then enjoy an increased profile if the BSPF President role is scrapped.
“The BSPF matters are being held jointly at both the BISHTA and SPATA Annual Conferences and feedback will be sought from the members of both trade associations about a proposal not to appoint a BSPF President from 2018 onwards,” said Sallie.
“Discussions about a future BSPF President have been started to take account of a proposal to dispense with a BSPF President, in favour of raising the profile of the respective SPATA and BISHTA Chairmen.
“If the members are in favour of such a proposal, then there would be no appointment of a Junior Vice President this year. This would still give an additional nine months for the BSPF Board to develop a comprehensive strategy for taking this suggestion forward, without adversely affecting the collective industry voice that is still required.”
Along with the BSPF’s discussions on its President’s future, a range of topics will be covered at the respective conference days, to help to share the latest industry information with members, including news that the wet leisure sector has once again thrived despite the damp summer.
“Although the weather has been wetter than average this summer, early reports on business performance from the industry are positive,” reported Sallie.
At the BISHTA Conference day on Tuesday, the topics will include news from the research on hot tubs and the effects of aerosolisation by Public Health England. Other topics being covered will be on pension auto-enrolment, updates on the workforce qualifications and a presentation on ‘hot tubs in holiday lodges’, including the revision of the Management of Spa Pools publication.
During the later SPATA Conference day, topics will include updates will also cover the necessity to get to grips with pension auto-enrolment; plus news on Business Information Modelling (BIM); the new European standards and the industry approach to safety devices.
Meanwhile, BISHTA and SPATA members are being urged to submit their entries, which can be submitted online, for the respective 2016 BISHTA and SPATA Awards before the deadline on November 6. Tickets for the industry gala dinner hosted at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry during the 20th anniversary edition of SPATEX, featuring the British Pool & Hot Tub Awards and the re-presentation of the ISPE awards, are expected to be in high demand and are currently available from the BSPF office, priced at £69.95 plus VAT per person.
On behalf of BISHTA and SPATA, Sallie Golding has urged members to submit entries for the respective awards. They can then potentially compete for honours in next year’s European Pool and Spa Awards like those who gained accolades in this year’s presentation ceremony and are waiting for the outcome to find out who will come out top in the EUSA Awards during Piscina and Wellness Barcelona on October 14.
“The excitement is rising as we wait to learn who will be the winners of the European Pool and Spa Awards for 2015 in Barcelona,” said Sallie.
“A number of UK companies are keeping their fingers crossed that they will be amongst the award recipients for 2015. To be nominated for these European awards, though, companies must first enter the British Pool & Hot Tub Awards hosted by BISHTA and SPATA.”
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