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  • Merry Wise August 14, 2009 at 6:19am
    PoolDraw, I couldn't agree with you more. We have also enjoyed the same benefits you describe; some are tangible and some intangible. If you join an organization only measuring the return in dollars and cents, you will not necessarily be able to justify every penny you spend, but if you join with an open mind and heart and contribute the same, you will reap many rewards as you do in any area of life where you put your heart into it.

    My daughter was a scholarship winner, too, for our local chapter's program. We attended a local chapter meeting last night and it is always a pleasure to renew years' old friendships, learn a little bit new and make connections that result in sales as well. It all helps. If I get nothing else but the many hugs I got last night it is worth it! You do meet a lot of great people and form good realtionships.

    PoolDraw said:
    Merry,
    Thanks for your input on industry issues and how to make the most of being a business & part of a national industry!

    As you said in an earlier post "you get back what you put into an organization". We have been members of the FSPA for over 25 years - initially as pool builders, then as participants in continuing education at tradeshows and local meetings and now as an industry product - and have always greatly enjoyed any & every association event. Way back the local monthly dinner meetings were a social event and trade shows are always a great time to catch up with our customer base.
    We have saved $ on insurance, card processing and other FSPA partnered ventures and as parents of college-aged sons have benefited from the generous FSPA scholarship program. The FSPA has a very active state lobby and provides every member an opportunity to be involved. Belonging to associations makes you a contributing part of the industry.

    Merry Wise said:
    James, I would say it would be of help to you in the networking opportunities and will especially be useful if you attend the meetings. It will give you some chances to interact socially and professionally with potential customers and many of the people you meet are leaders and people who are often the more stable industry people who stay in business year after year, which you certainly want to know and have as customers. APSP has had some difficulties over the years but it appears perhaps things might be stabilizing for the organization and the important thing is the members, who are on the whole a very good group of people.

    We are members and have been many years as pool builders and I feel overall we have gained a lot from membership. We have won numerous design awards over the years and this has helped us establish a good reputation in our area and even in this economy enjoy many more leads for new pools than we can even handle. The most important benefit though is the associations with many great people we would otherwise not have known. This pays off in knowledge, sometimes monetarily but also in the intangible benefit of fellowship and camaraderie and helpfulness to each other. Not everything valuable can be measured in money terms. We also own retail stores and it has been helpful in that area, and now for me as a vendor of my own pool care book business it also opens doors to know these potential customers. I think it will be worth your while in your business, too.
  • PoolDraw August 12, 2009 at 10:48am
    Merry,
    Thanks for your input on industry issues and how to make the most of being a business & part of a national industry!

    As you said in an earlier post "you get back what you put into an organization". We have been members of the FSPA for over 25 years - initially as pool builders, then as participants in continuing education at tradeshows and local meetings and now as an industry product - and have always greatly enjoyed any & every association event. Way back the local monthly dinner meetings were a social event and trade shows are always a great time to catch up with our customer base.
    We have saved $ on insurance, card processing and other FSPA partnered ventures and as parents of college-aged sons have benefited from the generous FSPA scholarship program. The FSPA has a very active state lobby and provides every member an opportunity to be involved. Belonging to associations makes you a contributing part of the industry.

    Merry Wise said:
    James, I would say it would be of help to you in the networking opportunities and will especially be useful if you attend the meetings. It will give you some chances to interact socially and professionally with potential customers and many of the people you meet are leaders and people who are often the more stable industry people who stay in business year after year, which you certainly want to know and have as customers. APSP has had some difficulties over the years but it appears perhaps things might be stabilizing for the organization and the important thing is the members, who are on the whole a very good group of people.

    We are members and have been many years as pool builders and I feel overall we have gained a lot from membership. We have won numerous design awards over the years and this has helped us establish a good reputation in our area and even in this economy enjoy many more leads for new pools than we can even handle. The most important benefit though is the associations with many great people we would otherwise not have known. This pays off in knowledge, sometimes monetarily but also in the intangible benefit of fellowship and camaraderie and helpfulness to each other. Not everything valuable can be measured in money terms. We also own retail stores and it has been helpful in that area, and now for me as a vendor of my own pool care book business it also opens doors to know these potential customers. I think it will be worth your while in your business, too.
  • Monique Nelson August 11, 2009 at 9:47am
    James,
    As a fellow manufacturer, we are also an APSP member and, from our experience, the greatest benefits definitely lay in the discounts --shows and advertisements. Opting for their online member listing is also a great idea for a small additional fee, as it puts you in front of a pretty wide audience.

    The appeal for a manufacturer is quite different from that of a dealer, service company, or commercial facility, as we are less likely to need the training resources provided.

    If you find any hidden benefits to manufacturers, I would certainly be interested in hearing from you. I will do the same.

    Take care and happy membership!
    Monique
  • James Kantorowicz August 10, 2009 at 2:40pm
    Thanks Merry,

    We are signing up next week I received a lot of good information that justifies the means.


    Thanks James

    Merry Wise said:
    James, I would say it would be of help to you in the networking opportunities and will especially be useful if you attend the meetings. It will give you some chances to interact socially and professionally with potential customers and many of the people you meet are leaders and people who are often the more stable industry people who stay in business year after year, which you certainly want to know and have as customers. APSP has had some difficulties over the years but it appears perhaps things might be stabilizing for the organization and the important thing is the members, who are on the whole a very good group of people.

    We are members and have been many years as pool builders and I feel overall we have gained a lot from membership. We have won numerous design awards over the years and this has helped us establish a good reputation in our area and even in this economy enjoy many more leads for new pools than we can even handle. The most important benefit though is the associations with many great people we would otherwise not have known. This pays off in knowledge, sometimes monetarily but also in the intangible benefit of fellowship and camaraderie and helpfulness to each other. Not everything valuable can be measured in money terms. We also own retail stores and it has been helpful in that area, and now for me as a vendor of my own pool care book business it also opens doors to know these potential customers. I think it will be worth your while in your business, too.
  • Merry Wise August 10, 2009 at 2:33pm
    James, I would say it would be of help to you in the networking opportunities and will especially be useful if you attend the meetings. It will give you some chances to interact socially and professionally with potential customers and many of the people you meet are leaders and people who are often the more stable industry people who stay in business year after year, which you certainly want to know and have as customers. APSP has had some difficulties over the years but it appears perhaps things might be stabilizing for the organization and the important thing is the members, who are on the whole a very good group of people.

    We are members and have been many years as pool builders and I feel overall we have gained a lot from membership. We have won numerous design awards over the years and this has helped us establish a good reputation in our area and even in this economy enjoy many more leads for new pools than we can even handle. The most important benefit though is the associations with many great people we would otherwise not have known. This pays off in knowledge, sometimes monetarily but also in the intangible benefit of fellowship and camaraderie and helpfulness to each other. Not everything valuable can be measured in money terms. We also own retail stores and it has been helpful in that area, and now for me as a vendor of my own pool care book business it also opens doors to know these potential customers. I think it will be worth your while in your business, too.
  • James Kantorowicz August 8, 2009 at 6:38am
    Yes I am signing us up for APSP as a Manufacturer but I was curious to know if the agency truly benefits its members. I see some of the immediate benefits of discounted shows in which we are going to exhibit in but I was wondering after that what are the benefits of the agency?

    Jeremy Hine said:
    what is a pool industry agency? you mean the APSP as a manufacturer?

    -Jeremy
    Florida Leisure Pool & Spa
    www.FLLeisure.com
  • Merry Wise August 7, 2009 at 10:13pm
    Are you referring to a trade association, James? If this is what you mean, I think it depends a lot on what you do and where you are in the industry, but in general, we have joined and supported the trade association for many years and while there have been some changes and happenings we didn't agree with, I would say for us the benefits have outweighed the negatives. In any group of human beings in an organization you will have disagreements over what should be done, personalities, results, agendas, even misuse of funds which we had in our Houston chapter awhile back that nearly tore the organization apart and severely damaged it for awhile.

    But patience and dedication by the workers in any group can make things better and restore value to the membership when stuff happens. As a manufacturer you get access and build relationships for your business and products. As pool builders, retail, or service, you achieve camaraderie and networking that teaches you invaluable things useful in your business. I have sometimes learned more on the bus talking to others in the business going to and from trade shows than almost any other formal way. However, the seminars available at the trade shows are invaluable too. I have never attended one that I didn't learn SOMETHING. That is worth it.

    Attending and exhibiting at trade shows is also extremely useful to anyone in any aspect of the business. Associations also strengthen the industry and in this era of increasing government regulation "hanging together before we hang separately" has also become necessary. I lobbied in Austin with a group of peers at the Texas legislature and it was an enlightening and valuable experience and I felt we helped our industry very much.

    I would say you will benefit from anything you join- and remember you will get out of it what you put into it.
  • Jeremy Hine August 7, 2009 at 8:16pm
    what is a pool industry agency? you mean the APSP as a manufacturer?

    -Jeremy
    Florida Leisure Pool & Spa
    www.FLLeisure.com
    Florida Leisure Pool, Spa, Hot Tub Repair, Pumps, Filters, Heaters, Salt Chlorinators, Automation
    We repair pools, spas and hot tubs, pumps, motors, heaters, filters, automation equipment in Gainesville and North Central FL
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