Visitors were up at the Pool & Spa Lifestyle Exhibition Sydney in February, and numbers returned to pre-covid levels. The positive comments from exhibitors about the quality of the visitors were especially encouraging. Many people wanted to purchase and select their optional extras.
Lindsay McGrath, CEO of SPASA, says that this event brought back the show to its peak in previous years.
He says, “It was wonderful to see the numbers return up from last year’s clash with the National Election.”
“Our exhibitors returned home to one pavilion which created a lively buzz on the floor.” The exhibition was a hot spot with over 25% of the region’s annual spa and pool sales passing through the doors.
He said that the next Pool & Spa Lifestyle Expo will be in South Australia, with the Adelaide event expected to bring a huge return on stand holders.
Carl Yench, Ezarri from Europe Imports
“The show was outstanding in quality – it could not have been better. In previous years, there were many people who came through thinking only about putting in pool. This year, the quality of those that have come through is exceptional. They are already planning, going through DAs and working with designers. They are ready for rock’n’roll but also plan ahead. People are well aware of the logistics and availability of materials and plan to make selections ahead of time.
He said that rising interest rates didn’t affect enquiries and that he was actually seeing more people push for concrete pools.
Tom Rogerson, Revolvashade
Recently, the Queensland company was taken over by new owners and is now looking to expand into other states.
“The products have been tested and proven over 30 years. We have a strong footprint in southeast Queensland. But we have now begun to travel to Sydney and Melbourne to show pool builders what they can get.
The most common size is four meters, so we bring them to shows. But, we also go up to five meters – five metres is huge. We are the only manufacturer to do five meters. There are a few other Australian manufacturers that make umbrellas, but they are mostly exported. They are ready for customers in four to six weeks.
These can be returned for replacement canopy after being used for 12-15 years. The frame is perfect at this point. The frames might need some minor adjustments or a new strap.
Joel Stern, Sterns Pools
It’s been an excellent day today. Although I was not there yesterday, Sunday was very positive. We had many customers who contacted us with high quality enquiries.
“Recently we purchased Miami Pools, a long-standing fiberglass business in Sydney. We’ve now brought it into our fold. It’s been a positive experience.
“Miami Pools was a manufacturing company that made about 300 pools per annum.
“So, we make the shells in our factory in Liverpool. In that factory, we make both modular aboveground pools and fiberglass pools. We are unique in that we offer both aboveground and fiberglass pools to our customers.
“Our factory is very large, and we have been using a very small portion – so there’s an opportunity to put the fiberglass section into an existing space with a large area down the back that we have future plans to expand.
“So, we’re getting setup right now, and the machines are coming in. As of February 1, everything is up and running. We’ve been in this aboveground business for a long time, as you probably know.
Marc Fraser, Aquea
It’s been a great day. There are many new opportunities and lots of people seeing the products. They love what we do.
They loved the V-Lock skimmer lid’s safety and clean appearance. There are four models that will fit any type of infill, including timber, stone and tile. We have a model that will suit any surface finish around your pool.
“This year is going to be busy because we just launched V-Lock, and many people have been paying attention.”
Next expo
South Australia’s Pool & Spa Lifestyle Expo will take place at Wayville Pavilion, Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, on March 25-26.
SPLASH! Magazine published the article Visitor Quality Peaks in Successful Pool & Spa Lifestyle Exhibit Sydney. Magazine.
