From the desk of SPASAVIC's CEO, Chris Samartzis

Welcome to our first edition of AQUA magazine for 2021 where we will continue to curate articles of interest and support the trade to showcase their innovative products whilst providing informative and interesting stories from across Australia.

So here we find ourselves in 2021 – SPASAVIC’s 60th year of existence - having evolved from such humble beginnings as a small meeting of pool builders at the George Hotel in Fitzroy Street, St Kilda back in 1961.

SPASAVIC has since grown to become an industry leader, representing over 300 members and advocating, supporting, promoting and sustaining these member businesses through droughts, floods, recessions, boom times and most recently - a global pandemic.

I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on 2020 and forecast what 2021 may hold for the swimming pool and spa industry across Australia.

2020 was a disruptive year, not only for our industry, but for many other business sectors. Our workplaces suddenly transitioned to working from home and many embraced the challenges that were presented to them.

I would like to extend a very big thank you to our members and industry partners for their support which made an enormous contribution by allowing us to advocate to government with confidence and clarity throughout 2020. A huge part of our advocacy was through the partnership we have with Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers, who together with SPASAVIC, made contact with Ministers and Government bureaucrats to prosecute both of our industries’ cases for an acceptable outcome.

During the Victorian lockdown, we released constant Covid updates, which by the end of November, had reached 93 in total! Disseminating government information for our industry and providing leadership has never been more important.

Although the lockdowns halted some work in consumer backyards - especially in Victoria - the overriding trend of the ‘Staycation’ continued to gather momentum and this - along with our promotional activity over many years - has embedded the notion of the ‘backyard revolution’.

Our vision of ensuring that the pool and spa industry remained open as an essential and desired industry prevented its full closure during Covid-19 and allowed many to trade, at least to some extent, during those difficult months.

Pool & Spa builders have never been busier, and according to anecdotal evidence across several states, enquiry rates are phenomenally high. Our colleagues in WA are seeing high growth in the sector, and the same is being replicated throughout QLD and NSW. Consumers are constantly searching for trusted brands and are seeking expert advice from industry members on various projects.

Brand trust has never been more important and we know that anything that may water down a trusted brand can have significant consequences to an industry.

Towards the end of 2020, our training partnership with MIBT was acknowledged and endorsed by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) to deliver the Pool Safety Inspector Course in Victoria. With over 100 registered for the course, our building inspectors / trainers have never been busier.

We continue to offer industry courses that are affordable and concise in their subject matter and we look forward to rolling them out throughout 2021.

We continue to offer industry courses that are affordable and concise in their subject matter and we look forward to rolling them out throughout 2021.Although consume shows have had to be cancelled or postponed, our committment to provide the connection with consumers will continue in future years, bigger than ever before, which will ultimately enable us to drive hundreds of thousands of dollars into mainstream media. With our future plans to grow, this will only increase with the flow-on effects driving growth of the industry across Australia

Looking forward in 2021 and beyond, we are excited that the industry is reporting significant growth across the sector in all categories. Some spa retailers are reporting waiting times of 6 months or more and there are pool builders whose books are full till December 2021. Despite pressures on logistics and stock levels, it’s an enviable position to be in and we will continue to support and promote the benefits of owning a pool or spa to a wide audience.

We are heavily invested in the swimming pool and spa industry and we remain steadfastly dedicated to connecting more deeply with pool and spa builders across the nation. Policy formation, advocacy, promotion, innovation and ideation will give our industry greater input into the direction and growth of the sector, with benefits that will flow to all involved in this great industry of ours.

“Looking forward in 2021 and beyond, we are excited that the industry is reporting significant growth across the sector in all categories.”