2014 World Aquatic Health Conference sets attendance records

2014 World Aquatic Health Conference sets attendance records

Much of the praise for safer and cleaner pools today should rightly go to the pool maintenance professionals who dedicate their careers to perfecting the art of safe swimming facilities. Everything from chemical balancing to equipment repair is critical to a well-functioning aquatics facility, though this is by no means a simple task. You might even be considering partnering with a service to take some of the burden of your shoulders.

That’s why almost 400 pool maintenance professionals attended the 11th annual World Aquatic Health Conference in Portland, Oregon, Aquatics International Connect reported. From Oct. 8 to 10, representatives from 42 states and 12 countries traveled to attend the WAHC and participate in roundtable discussions on best practices, seminars on new technological developments and keynote speeches on both night of the three-day conference.

“The WAHC spotlights advances that can generate growth and curtail contraction for our field and industry,” said Thomas Lachocki, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the National Swimming Pool Foundation, as reported by Aquatics International Connect. “Helping facilities improve profitability and spotlighting how aquatic activity improves health can foster demand for pools, spas and aquatic facilities. Preventing injury, illness, and drowning prevents contraction.”

The 400 total attendees marks the largest crowd to attend a WAHC event in its 11-year history. More than 50 percent of these people were new attendees who had not been to a WAHC event before, which could signal growth in the future.

The NSPF explained that the WAHC is committed to evangelizing the need for and benefits of more swimming pools throughout the world. By fostering the professional development of pool maintenance professionals, the NSPF hopes to create safer aquatics facilities everywhere. With more clean and safe places to swim, more communities may decide to build new facilities or reinvest in old ones.