From the booth at the 2024 Northeast Pool & Spa Show

Trade shows are where the magic happens in the pool industry – where manufacturers meet dealers, where problems get solved, and where the future of pool care takes shape. The 2024 Northeast Pool & Spa Show was no exception, providing the perfect backdrop for some fascinating conversations about fiberglass pools, business strategy, and the evolving landscape of pool chemistry education.

The Power of Partnership: When Fiberglass Meets Chemistry Expertise

One of the most compelling aspects of this episode was the conversation with Christian Shrilla from Thursday Pools (formerly River Pools). The discussion highlighted a crucial truth about the modern pool industry – specialization and collaboration are key to success.

We're fiberglass guys. We're not water chemistry experts. We make the pool and the dealers install the pool. But when it comes to pool chemistry there's lots of information out there and we do point customers your way because you guys have a way of breaking down a very complex topic into a consumable manner.

— Christian Shrilla, Thursday Pools

This partnership model reveals something important: the best companies know their strengths and aren't afraid to refer customers to experts in other areas. Thursday Pools focuses on manufacturing exceptional fiberglass pools, while companies like Orenda specialize in water chemistry education. Together, they provide customers with comprehensive solutions.

The merger of River Pools and Thursday Pools created what Christian described as bringing "two powerhouses together" – one known for consumer education and another for unparalleled manufacturing capabilities. This combination demonstrates how strategic partnerships can amplify strengths rather than dilute them.

Manufacturing Innovation: The Science Behind Fiberglass Pools

The hosts' visit to the Thursday Pools manufacturing facility in Fortville, Indiana, revealed the impressive technology and research behind modern fiberglass pool production. The facility features what amounts to a laboratory dedicated to fiberglass knowledge and innovation.

One key insight from the manufacturing discussion was the distinction between the River and Thursday pool brands. While both use identical materials, processes, and quality standards, they maintain separate mold designs and target different market segments – much like Toyota and Lexus under the same parent company.

This approach allows the company to serve diverse customer preferences while maintaining consistent quality standards. It's a lesson in how businesses can expand their market reach without compromising their core competencies.

Solving Real-World Problems: Gel Coat Issues and Customer Support

The conversation touched on a common customer concern – scale-like deposits on fiberglass pools that don't respond to traditional chemical treatment. Christian's response highlighted the importance of proper diagnosis before treatment.

It really depends on what caused the gel coat issue. Is it something that's sticking to it or was the gel coat actually bleached out? And both of those situations can happen.

— Christian Shrilla, Thursday Pools

This exchange demonstrates several important principles:

• Not all pool problems are chemistry problems
• Proper diagnosis requires understanding the pool's construction materials
• Manufacturers should be the first point of contact for surface-related issues
• New solutions are constantly being developed, including recoat materials that aren't traditional gel coat

The key takeaway is that pool professionals should always diagnose before prescribing solutions, and they shouldn't hesitate to involve the pool manufacturer when surface issues arise.

Education as a Competitive Advantage

Throughout the episode, the theme of education emerged as a critical differentiator in the pool industry. The Northeast Pool & Spa Show impressed attendees with its robust educational programming, featuring large classrooms that routinely accommodate 300+ attendees.

Terry Arco's observations about the show's educational focus were particularly insightful. He noted that unlike other trade shows where education might be an afterthought, this show prioritizes learning, and attendees respond enthusiastically.

The engagement of people that are here, the numbers of people that show up and they're serious. They want to get educated. And that's what makes this show.

— Terry Arco

The educational emphasis extends beyond technical training to business development. One class focused on "stop servicing pools, start servicing people" – emphasizing that service companies need to differentiate themselves by focusing on customer relationships rather than becoming commodities.

Building Customer Relationships Beyond Commodity Services

The business strategy discussion revealed a crucial insight for pool service professionals: avoiding the commodity trap. When services become indistinguishable from competitors, price becomes the only differentiator.

The solution involves adding value through customer education and personalized service. This might include:

• Taking customers poolside to explain maintenance procedures
• Educating them about their specific pool's needs
• Providing insights they can't get elsewhere
• Building relationships that go beyond basic chemical balancing

As Terry noted about one of the classes, the focus should be on "engaging the customer and what you do, taking them poolside, walking them through, talking about maybe there's something different or special that you as a service company are going to provide them." This approach allows service providers to command fair pricing for their expertise rather than competing solely on cost.

The Future of Pool Industry Collaboration

Perhaps the most important theme from this episode is the power of collaboration in the pool industry. Whether it's manufacturers partnering with chemistry experts, or service companies working with equipment specialists, the future belongs to those who build strong professional networks.

The Rule Your Pool podcast itself exemplifies this approach – bringing together experts from different areas of the industry to share knowledge and solve problems collaboratively. The hosts' willingness to say "we're not fiberglass guys" and bring in experts like Christian Shrilla demonstrates professional humility and commitment to providing accurate information.

This collaborative approach benefits everyone: manufacturers get better customer outcomes, service professionals can offer comprehensive solutions, and pool owners receive expert guidance across all aspects of pool ownership.

Trade shows like the Northeast Pool & Spa Show serve as catalysts for these relationships, providing face-to-face opportunities for education, networking, and partnership development. As the industry continues to evolve, these connections will become increasingly important for success.

The pool industry's future lies not in any single company or product, but in the collaborative networks that bring together manufacturing excellence, chemical expertise, and customer service innovation to create exceptional pool ownership experiences.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Live from the Northeast Pool & Spa Show
• 02:30 Interview with Christian Shrilla from Thursday Pools
• 08:15 Manufacturing Innovation and Brand Strategy
• 12:45 Solving Gel Coat Problems
• 16:20 Show Impressions with Terry Arco
• 19:10 Education and Business Strategy
• 23:50 Building Customer Relationships