Before becoming director of the Swimming Pool Pro Alliance, Danielle Bahr was still deciding what she wanted her future to look like. “I was doing hair and doing all the other things, just trying to figure out what I was going to do with my life,” she says. But the pool industry was never far from her story.
Learning often starts in the classroom, but when it comes to mastering plastering techniques, many industry veterans say on-site experience is the best education.
Pool plastering has always been part art, part science and a whole lot of patience.
Ask the mixer on any plaster crew, and they’ll explain their ratios are followed as closely as a grandmother’s secret cookie recipe — precise and based on experience as much as measurement.
With major trade shows happening coast to coast, the early months of 2026 are packed with opportunities for pool pros to sharpen their skills and expand their networks. Whether you’re looking for certification courses, new product demos, hands-on technical sessions or simply a chance to reconnect with colleagues, these events deliver something for everyone. Consider this your roadmap to the season’s biggest industry gatherings.
PoolPro is proud to announce the 2025 Class of 30 Under 40, celebrating the next generation of leaders driving innovation, professionalism and excellence. This year’s honorees represent a diverse group of pool professionals who are making a significant impact in their communities and helping shape the future of the industry.
In today’s market, the commercial pool is no longer just a feature — it’s a centerpiece, a sales magnet and often the crown jewel of high-end developments.
Pool service companies experience smoking hot peaks and quiet valleys throughout the year. Smart operators turn the quieter months into productive ones, offering pool equipment inspections and proactive maintenance services that keep income flowing, customers engaged and technicians on the payroll.
Each year, the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo brings together the industry’s top professionals, brands and educators for a week of networking, innovation and hands-on learning.
Let’s face it: These days, businesses are expensive to run. With inflation rising, tariffs looming and laborers seeking higher wages, sometimes a business can feel like an endless money pit.
The pool industry is known for innovation, hustle and the next big thing, but behind many of today’s thriving businesses are professionals who’ve spent decades laying the groundwork.
PoolPro’s 2025 Power Women: Five innovators leading the way with depth and determination
Pool service pros are on the front line of the industry. They’re the customer-facing techs who deal with the challenges of creating and maintaining crystal clear, algae-free swimming pools — and at a good price.