Business View Magazine | March 2019

24 THE ASSOCIATION OF POOL THE VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY T he Association of Pool & Spa Profes- sionals (APSP) is the world’s oldest and largest association representing swim- ming pool, spa, and hot tub manufacturers, manufacturers’ agents, builders, designers, distributors, suppliers, installers, retailers, and service technicians. Dedicated to the growth and development of its members’ businesses and to promoting the enjoyment and safety of pools and spas, APSP offers a range of services, from professional development to advancing key legislation and regulation at all levels, to consumer outreach, and public safety. APSP is the only industry organization recognized by the American National Standards Institute to develop and promote national standards for pools, hot tubs, and spas. “The APSP was originally founded as NSPI, the National Swimming Pool Institute, in 1956,” recounts Lawrence Caniglia, APSP’s President and CEO. “In the early days, back in the ‘50s, a sales scheme, known as ‘bait and switch,’ was used by many disreputable pool dealers. They