Huge Audience Growth & A World Record

Wether it was the string of sizzling hot Melbourne days, the new TV commercial or the World Record attempt by Chloe McCardel visitors once again flocked through the doors to the SPASA Pool & Spa + Outdoor Living Expo - the most popular expo of its kind in Australia. 

Attendance figures show an increase of 15% from 2013 and SPASA Members have reported very strong consumer interest, with many sales taking place during the 3-day event.

Brendan Watkins CEO of SPASA said “The huge growth in attendance at this years show demonstrates to us the passion that Victorian’s have for pools and spas and spending as much time outdoors as possible. People want their own backyard oasis - it’s now more attainable than ever before. Exhibitors have reported that sales levels and enquiries are the best they’ve seen in years which is a very encouraging sign for the industry”.

Michael Reed from Liner Specialists said "there has been a good quality of people through the door, most of them genuine leads" while Jim Petrakis of Heliocol Solar Pool Heating believed that "the quality of leads has been excellent with great traffic all three days of the exhibition".  

According to Cliff Cooke from Cooke Industries "The show has been sensational - a lot of people attending, asking a lot of good questions and the visitors seem very excited.  The show is world class.  The quality of stands is fantastic - great to see the vibrancy across the whole hall".

Pauls Edwards from Jacuzzi was delighted with the results stating "To date this has been one of the best shows we have had in years, Friday was better than last year, so far both Saturday and Sunday very good leads.  Really happy with the show, visitor attendance and sales results.  Lots of leads".

Once again the Seminar Series provided a wealth of professional advice to help ensure consumers get it right. Many thanks to all volunteer presenters for your time and sharing your knowledge to help the whole industry, Ted Martin - Compass Pools, David Kirkpatrick - Outdoor Creations, Rob Kruber - Spa Industries, Brendan Watkins - CEO SPASA, Ian Barker - Ian Barker Gardens, Sunbather, Scott Wynd – TLC Pools, Pieter Nelson – Blu Pools, Cliff Cooke - Cooke Industries and Callum Ross - Astral Pool.

While most of us were tucked up in bed at midnight on Saturday Australian ultra-marathon swimmer Chloe McCardel embarked on swimming a distance equivalent of one and a half crossings of the English Channel. 

With thanks to Leisurescape Spas and The Pool Enclosure Company (TPEC) she successfully set a world-first record by swimming non-stop for 16 hours in a swim spa. Chloe completed her swim in a spa that was 4 metres long by 2 metres wide. 

It was a special moment for Chloe, as she was forced to abandon a swim from Cuba to Florida last year when jellyfish stings left her in excruciating pain.

After finishing the SPASA swim Chloe said "I'm not tired yet; I want to go out and party" and stated that "The spa was very luxurious. I'm used to being thrown in the elements, like wildlife, box jellyfish, and sharks and freezing cold water and big waves. But here it's beautiful, it's controlled; we control the water temperature. It's balmy."

We congratulate Chloe on her outstanding accomplishment. Chloe is now contemplating her next challenge, a 200-kilometre ocean swim later this year and we wish her the best of luck.

Stand award recipients are recognised for their excellence in stand design and presentation.Congratulations to the following exhibitors:

Best Stand 36m2 and Over Free Design
Just Spas –  Winner (Joint) & Spa World – Winner (Joint)
Endless Spas – Finalist
Leisurescape Spas – Finalist

Best Stand Under 36m2  Free Design
Remco Australia - Winner
Pool Water Products – Finalist

Best Display Booth Stand
Laguna Pools and Spas – Winner
Cooke Industries – Finalist

Best Outdoor Living Display
Entanglements Metal Art Studio – Winner
Yarrabee & Castlemaine Stone – Finalist
Shane Clifford Design - Finalist