The National Swimming Pool Foundation reported that this year’s edition of its premier conference broke attendance records.
The World Aquatic Health Conference, which took place Oct. 17-21 in Denver, saw 420 professionals in its sessions, including 209 first timers. The crowd included 80 environment health officials and represented 42 states. In addition, attendance included visitors from 11 other nations, including Austria, Australia, Canada, France, China, Israel, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. It merged government, manufacturers, aquatic facility staff, builders, distributors, service technicians, academia, health and medical professionals, risk management specialists, researchers and hospitality professionals.
“When I see leaders from around the world and professionals from around the industry, government and academia gather, I smile,” said NSPF CEO Thomas Lachocki, Ph.D. “When their conversations roar, I know that relationships, passion, and creativity are working together to create a brighter future for all of us.”
Once mostly focused on aquatics-
facility issues and high-level research on water quality, the event has broadened in scope to also include design and construction, along with a new educational track on training for business growth.
The conference featured keynotes Ryan Avery, a champion public speaker, and neuro facilitator Amy Posey.
Organizers also took advantage of the multiple disciplines in attendance by devoting several classes and a lunch panel to indoor air quality, a complex subject whose solution requires professionals of many specialties and backgrounds.
The 15th Annual World Aquatic Health Conference will take place Oct. 10-12, 2018 in Charleston, S.C. Registration opens in April.