The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals

Foundation (NSPF) announced that the two organizations will unify to form the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA). The new organization will operate with the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance as the umbrella, leading industry-wide advocacy, alliances, and promotions. Trade and founda- tion activities will be conducted separately for procedural and legal purposes, under the ban- ners of the Pool & Hot Tub Professionals As- sociation, and the Pool & Hot Tub Foundation, respectively. Caniglia, who had earlier told the APSP Board that he planned to retire in Febru- ary 2019, has agreed to stay on as interim CEO of the consolidated organization until the new Board can hire a full-time, permanent CEO. The leaders of both NSPF and APSP agreed that the new structure, with its “Celebrate the Water” mission, will offer greater community benefits by facilitating the expansion of swimming, water safety, and related research and outreach activities, aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer, and keeping pools open to serve com- munities. In addition, the unified organization will expand growth opportunities for aquat- ics professionals and businesses by promot- ing demand for swimming and increasing the efficient delivery of educational and training opportunities. Finally, by speaking with a single, united, ad- vocacy voice, the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance will be better positioned to protect the interests of the industry through an unprecedented and expanded network that includes both nation- wide and international alliances and relation- ships. In addition, stakeholders and members of the two founding organizations will benefit from the full array of education, training, cer- tification, advocacy, promotion, research, grant making, and support services currently deliv- ered by APSP and NSPF separately, while com- bining infrastructures, networks, affiliations, and resources, and eliminating duplication of programs to provide the greatest value and impact.