PSP Deck Expo Kicks Off Next Week in Las Vegas, NV – Time to Get Excited!

Las Vegas is calling—and for professionals in the pool, spa, patio, or decking industries, PSP/Deck Expo later this month is the event that sets the pace for the entire next season. Pre-conference intensives from PHTA, GENESIS, and the National Plasterers Council run October 19–21, followed by the Core Conference and Expo October 22–24 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (North Hall). It’s the week where education, innovation, and community all converge—where professionals sharpen their skills in the morning, kick the tires on new tech in the afternoon, and make the connections that turn into next year’s wins.

Your Playbook for the Biggest Week in Pools, Spas & Decking

The PSP/Deck education ecosystem is designed to stack value day after day—so attendees come home with practical upgrades to how they design, build, service, sell, and lead. As Show Manager Megan Magaña told us, “One of the biggest draws is the educational tracks, which are world-class and taught by some of the best instructors in their respective fields.”

Pre-Conference to Post-Conference: How the Learning Stacks

With classes suited for all aspects of the industry, the curriculum is diverse and well-rounded. Courses are planned with input from an education advisory board that includes builders, service pros, retailers, and owners. Magaña emphasized the cross-pollination: “Our program is an exchange of ideas. A builder might pick up something from a retail session; a service tech might learn a new repair solution. That’s the point—get everyone in the room solving problems together.”

Advice For Getting The Most From Educational Courses

“It’s best to start with certification or deep-dive classes during the pre-conference,” said Magaña. “Hit the core sessions in the mornings for strategic and technical training. Then spend afternoons on the show floor’s demo theaters and solution-driven talks—where you can walk ten steps from a session to the booth that sells the tool, product, or software you just learned about.”

Three Keynotes, Three Ways to Level Up

This year brings three distinct keynote experiences—one each morning—to frame your strategy for 2026:

Industry Insights Panel with real-time audience polling and market benchmarks. You’ll walk out with data points you can take to pricing meetings and planning sessions.

Dallas Cowboys legend Darren Woodson on building cultures of excellence. Expect practical parallels between championship teams and high-performing businesses—hiring, standards, accountability, and daily habits.

Women of Water, powered by PHTA and POOLCORP, focused on purpose, leadership, and building authentic confidence across teams and roles.

Magaña called it “the most robust keynote program we’ve ever had—know the landscape, build winning teams, and develop leaders.”

First-Timer Tips From the Show Manager

If this is your first PSP/Deck, you’ll be in good company. Magaña’s advice is simple and field-tested: “Do a little prep work before you get here. Hop on the website, circle the sessions you want, the vendors you must meet, and make a goal to meet four new friends.” And bring comfortable shoes. “It’s easy to wear your feet out walking the expo floor, there’s just so much to see.”

One more advantage to plan around: the show’s matchmaking platform, included with registration. When attendees indicate what they’re looking for—and exhibitors indicate what they offer—the team can line up on-site meetings so you roll into Vegas with a slate of introductions already scheduled. “When service techs, builders, retailers, deck pros, manufacturers, and distributors are all mingling, connections happen naturally,” Magaña said. “Matchmaking just accelerates it.”

Hours at a Glance

Always confirm on the official schedule/app for last-minute updates.

Show Floor Hours

Education Hours

Agenda (Oct. 19–24, 2025)

Pre-Conference (Oct. 19–21): PHTA, GENESIS, and National Plasterers Council
Post-Conference (Fri–Sat): Pool Nation

Can’t Miss Events at the PSP Deck Expo

Welcome Party at AYU Dayclub (Resorts World). The industry’s favorite kickoff returns—pools, cabanas, and the perfect backdrop to hydrate, caffeinate, and celebrate before you fan out to Vegas nightlife. It’s a high-energy mixer and an easy way to lock in your first dozen meaningful conversations of the week.

PHTA Awards of Excellence. A showcase of top-tier residential and commercial projects from across the country, honoring standout craftsmanship, design innovation, and professional excellence. It’s a fast way to see what “best in class” looks like—and to gather fresh ideas for your 2026 portfolio.

Pool Nation Awards (Black Tie). A crowd-pleaser that recognizes excellence across product categories, teams, reps, and the ever-popular Pool Guy/Pool Girl of the Year honors. Think red-carpet energy with an industry-insider heartbeat.

Beyond those anchors, expect association receptions, meetups, and stage programming on the floor. A complete list of this year’s special events can be found on the show website.

Innovations, New Faces & the Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge

Innovative Product Showcase & Awards. If you want the “what’s next” snapshot in one pass, start here. The Showcase gathers the year’s most buzzworthy solutions so you can see, compare, and bookmark the gear shaping 2026—automation, energy-savvy equipment, alternative sanitization, water/feature lighting, software, materials, and more. It also gives rising brands the visibility lift they need. As Magaña noted, “New brands are positioned alongside established leaders—it’s a credibility boost that could take years otherwise.”

New Exhibitors, Real Opportunities. PSP/Deck’s floor layout intentionally drives traffic to emerging manufacturers and tech startups. That matters if you’re sourcing innovation—especially in categories like AI-assisted mapping, remote monitoring, inverter-driven equipment, and advanced surfaces. It matters even more if you’re the new brand: distribution conversations that might take months can start and finish in three days.

The Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge (co-sponsored by Pool Magazine). Designers, this is your Super Bowl. A realistic client brief, a $1,000,000 budget cap, and five finalists presenting live on the floor. It’s a master class in storytelling, site strategy, engineering, and material choices—and an incredible way for pros and students to showcase their thinking. If you spec, design, sell, or build, block time for this session; you’ll come away with fresh ideas you can put to work immediately.

Whether you’re running a construction crew, managing a retail floor, growing a service route, or leading a regional brand, PSP/Deck is where you earn the edge for next year—skills, suppliers, and strategy. Magaña framed it perfectly: “It feels like a reunion. You bump into friends, meet mentors, and see the future of the industry in one place. It’s October on the calendar, but for us, it’s the beginning of the next year.”

Pool Magazine—the digital trade publication partner for the show—has your complimentary Expo pass with code “POOLMAG25”. We’ll see you on the floor in Vegas.

Want to take a deeper dive? Listen to our interview with show manager Megan Magaña on the Pool Magazine podcast or visit the official show website for more details.

Photo Credits: Joshua Sandoval | Pool Magazine

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