(Alexandria, Va.) — The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, this week hosted the third annual PHTA Day on the Hill. Association members were invited to Washington, DC, to engage with policymakers and advocate for the interests and growth of the industry.
PHTA members and staff met with more than 70 Congressional offices while onsite at the U.S. Capitol, where they discussed water safety, workforce development, small business support, and other key issues that are impacting the pool, spa, and hot tub industry. PHTA and its federal lobbyist firm DCLRS prepared a number of leave-behinds that highlight the positive effect the industry has on the U.S. economy, safety measures and standards, and other areas.
“The annual Day on the Hill is an incredible opportunity for PHTA members to show a united front on the issues that have the most impact on the pool, spa, and hot tub industry,” says PHTA Chairwoman of the Board Donna Williams, Vice President of Field Implementation at POOLCORP. “Whether it’s advocating for water safety and drowning prevention to help more Americans safely enjoy water or discussing how proposed regulations will affect the business climate, our voices can do an enormous amount of good on behalf of the entire industry.”
Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), who is the sponsor of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Reauthorization Act (VGBA), spoke to the nearly 50 PHTA members in attendance about the importance of water safety and the need for continued advocacy and awareness-raising.
“PHTA Day on the Hill is truly a special event that motivates and energizes attendees by showing the power we have to influence change at the federal level,” says Justin Wiley, PHTA Vice President of Government Relations, Standards, and Codes. “One of PHTA’s core pillars is to improve the business environment by advocating and promoting the benefits of the pool, spa, and hot tub industry. Day on the Hill provides PHTA members an amazing opportunity to help the association fulfill that mission.”
In addition to meetings with Congresspeople and their staffers, PHTA Day on the Hill included a tour of Capitol Hill and speeches from Sabeena Hickman, CAE, PHTA President and CEO, and Olympic Gold Medalist Rowdy Gaines, PHTA Vice President of Partnerships and Development. Attendees also met with appointees from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Click here to see photos from PHTA Day on the Hill. For more information on PHTA’s advocacy mission, visitwww.phta.org/advocacy.
About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with 4,000 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA promotes the use of pools by expanding 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 communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.
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