The Pool Nation Women’s Summit has grown into a powerful annual event where women from across the pool and spa industry come together to network, learn, and share their experiences. The unique space not only allows women to form lasting relationships but also leave with actionable insights.
From its first year — attended by just 22 women — to its third, which hosted over 130 women at the Heritage Pool Supply headquarters in McKinney, Texas, this past August, the Women Summit’s momentum has been driven by the clear need for more female-centered events within the pool and spa industry.
Women Inspiring Women
This year’s theme, “Women Inspiring Women,” resonated deeply with participants. Many noted, including myself, how the atmosphere fostered not just professional growth but also personal reflection.
“The energy was incredible,” says Jamie Novak, Director of Marketing-Pro Brands at BioLab, a division of KIK Consumer Products. “We saw women stepping out of their comfort zones, and sharing stories they may not have shared in other settings. It was about more than just networking; it was about forming real connections in a safe, supportive environment.”
Novak has been a key player in helping the Summit to grow, and is also an event speaker. She reflects on how her subject matter has evolved as attendee size has grown. “In year one, we had an intimate group, and I focused on personal branding — understanding that you are your own brand and that your message matters,” she says. “As the Summit grew in size, so did the scope of our conversations. Year two expanded into written communication and personal growth, while this year, we really dove into public speaking and self-awareness.”
This year’s agenda was also shaped by participant feedback. “We take the feedback we receive from attendees seriously,” says Novak. “If the women are asking for more time or different content, we work hard to make that happen. This year, for example, we incorporated personality profiling, which really helped people understand themselves and their peers.”
Other speakers at this year’s event included Alicia Stephens, Director of Training & Education at Biolab; Sabeena Hickman, President and CEO of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance; Stacey Gearhart, General Manager at Raypak; Tracy Baier, a certified Life Coach; Leanne De Jesus, Sr. Director of Human Resources Pool Nation and many more.
Speakers touched on a number of like-minded themes including staying true to your authentic self, emotional intelligence and the importance of building your tribe — a network of people you trust. They also discussed tips on everything from time management to work/life balance to financial independence and more.
Building Relationships Beyond Competitiveness
Perhaps one of the most remarkable aspects of the Summit is how it transcends the competitive nature of the industry. Women from different companies — often competitors — come together not to promote their brands and businesses but to support one another.
“When attendees are in that room, it’s not about being competitors,” explains Edgar De Jesus, CEO and Founder at Pool Nation. “It’s about coming together as individuals and helping each other grow.”
Novak also touches on the sense of unity: “I always start by reminding everyone that while we may come from different corners of the industry, the Summit is about development and growth. The fact that women can shed their roles and just connect on a human level is one of the most rewarding aspects.”
This was also evident at the Welcome Party, which was held at Pinstack Allen — a 50,000-square-foot facility that offers a full-service restaurant, a private VIP bowling area, a massive arcade and more. Attendees were able to let their hair down and were given an even larger opportunity to mingle with new people in a fun and easy atmosphere.
“I think the networking event was great,” says De Jesus. “By the end of the night, everyone was mingling with everyone. Even those that didn’t know each other were walking up to each other and asking, ‘Hey, how are you?’ That’s kind of the dream. That’s what you want to have happen, and it was fun to watch that happen.”
Continued Momentum and Lasting Impact
This year, Pool Nation wanted to ensure the nature of the Women’s Summit doesn’t just end when the event is over. As such, they introduced a group chat feature within their app to help attendees stay connected.
“The biggest request we’ve received is to keep the conversation going,” shares De Jesus. “We’ve created a group chat for all those who attended to continue networking and sharing insights. And maybe even start smaller group chats of their own.”
As the event continues, the goal is for it to become bigger and bigger with each passing year. Novak is especially excited about the future. “I’m always thinking, ‘How can we make this better? How can we push the boundaries even further?’ Every year, we build on what worked, and I can’t wait to see where we take it next.”
For De Jesus and the team at Pool Nation, the focus will remain on the women. “This isn’t about Pool Nation,” he says. “This is about women in the industry. Our job is to create the space and then let them take it from there.”
