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Pool&SpaIndustry OCT 2011 SPN
35 AUTUMN ACTIVITY
Chris Hayes, BSPF Managing Director, looks forward to a busy autumn which will include moves to develop standards across Europe - plus an important SPATEX Focus Group meeting in early October
A
s autumn is upon us, there is much to reflect on this year so far.
KEY DIARY DATES:
OCTOBER 6th
SPATEX Exhibitor Focus Group
7th - 9th Grand Designs Birmingham 13th 25th
SPATA National Council
ISPE Seminar Swimming Forum
NOVEMBER 8th
12th 15th
22nd
DECEMBER 1st 7th 8th
14th
SPATA Technical Committee Past President’s Dinner
Social media training in Loughborough
Social media training in Andover
ISPE Seminar PIP and BISHTA Committees
SPATA National Council and BSPF Board PWTAG
JANUARY 2012 4th - 6th SPATEX, Brighton
There continues to be debate across Europe about setting norms for domestic pools and there will also be discussion on setting standards for hot tubs. Both SPATA and BISHTA will be represented during the relevant discussions to share ideas about what will work for Europe. This work is being coordinated by the 31 countries that make up the combined EU (27 countries) and the additional European Economic Area (four extra countries). While the UK has benefitted from having SPATA Standards, in other countries there is formal legislation in place to deal with relevant safety matters and over the next three years, Europe will agree what can be shared across the continent to make pools safer. It is not anticipated that this will affect the SPATA Standards, but more will be known by the end of this year.
This month sees changes to the way that construction contracts are viewed and Stuart Thwaites from Wright Hassall LLP offers our industry his assessment of what we need to know. SPATA members have been provided with a factsheet explaining this in more detail. In this issue, there is also a very thought provoking article from Dave Gammon, a business coach who opens up debate about strategies to deal with promoting the value of your company against cheap internet products, especially where service is important. These are challenging times, so I would recommend that you read Dave’s article to assess whether you are doing all that you can in your business to promote yourself and compete.
Other topical issues covered in this issue include SPATEX’s ongoing dialogue with the industry, with the latest updates provided by Michele Bridle on page 40. An exhibitor’s Focus Group is being held on Thursday 6 October and with an exhibitor and visitor survey having recently been sent out, there should be plenty of opportunity for the industry to have its say on what should happen. Despite speculation, I can
confirm that no decisions have yet been made about any venues.
BISHTA and SPATA members continue to receive a growing number of benefits that provide timely advice and seek to save money for their businesses. Full details are contained in the members’ area of the trade association websites. More information will be provided at the AGMs, including the importance of social media which will be highlighted during training sessions for BISHTA and SPATA members. A full report will appear in the next issue of SPN but in the meantime I would be delighted to hear from any non members that would like to know more about the benefits of becoming a part of these trade associations, as they are there to represent the whole industry.
With growing consumer awareness of the need to work with reputable companies to safeguard their hard earned cash, SPATA and BISHTA will continue to provide safeguards to the consumer, by expecting members to adhere to the industry standards and agreeing to abide by a Code of Ethics. To all those companies that share the same philosophy of providing good quality goods and services and wish to offer responsible trading, I look forward to the opportunity of welcoming you into the relevant trade association. By working together, we can strengthen the voice of the industry and ensure that standards continue to rise.
As BISHTA and SPATA become even stronger, this will reduce the possibility that the minority of rogue traders will be able to make a living, as consumers will expect to see a company belonging to a trade association.
Finally in this issue, there is an interview with Artesian Spas, BISHTA members and also a focus on changes at Chiswell Pools, who are SPATA and BISHTA members.
Please remember that if you have any news you would like to share with the industry, we would be very happy to consider it for our pages within SPN.
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