During the event, special acknowledgement was given to International's diamond sales award recipients, shown here (L-R): Sam Wark, Jeff Cassack, Vince Lonsdale, Alan Kideckel, Andrew Phillips, Ken Feinstein and Joe Arfin.

International Pool & Spa Centers and its dealers celebrated 32 years in the pool and spa industry at their annual dealer conference and product training session.

As in past years, the event was held at the White Oaks Conference Centre in Niagara-on-the Lake, Ont., in February, attracting 110 member dealers.

"Special thanks go to our vendors for their continued support and partnership, as well as to our staff and dealers for an exceptional 2008 season," says International's Ken Feinstein.

The SCP distribution trade show was also held this past February at the Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton, Ont. An overwhelming success, the event welcomed 527 members of the pool and spa industry and featured vendor displays of SCP's product lines.

Information seminars included Latham Splash Canada's seminar on vanishing edge design, liner measuring and their popular session on vinyl-over steel step techniques.

Lowry Associates held a seminar on water chemistry and Del Ozone offered their product knowledge seminar on ozone and UV water purification.

According to John Glass, regional business development manager for SCP Distributors, "It was a fantastic turnout, with standing-room only seminars. It was a resounding success for SCP, and our vendors were extremely happy with the turnout of our dealers from all across Ontario."

Celebrating its 6^th annual dealer day this past February was Northeastern Swimming Pool Distributors Inc. This year's tabletop event took place in two locations—the Imperial Hotel in Laval, Que., on February 24 for Northeastern's Quebec customers and February 26 at the Richmond Hill Country Club in Ontario.

The latter event, held for customers closer to Toronto, featured 21 exhibitors and welcomed over 200 dealers who took the opportunity to see Northeastern's new product lines. Popular product knowledge seminars were led by Jeff Jones from Del Ozone, Jim Cross from Doughboy Pools and Glen Daniel from the Royal Bank.

”The economy was a popular topic discussed by many dealers and vendors,” says Northeastern’s Nicole Gray. “Although there is a great deal of industry concern, the outlook is generally positive. Many believe a summer of amazing weather will help to ease the economic blow.”