Higher learning: go behind the scenes with the International Pool & Spa Expo's conference coordinator

Tracy Beaulieu is the conference coordinator of the International Pool & Spa Expo, owned by Hanley Wood, LLC (which also owns this magazine). Based in Irving, Texas, she Ms 20-plus years' experience in the trade show industry.

Pool & Spa News Contacted Beaulieu to find out what goes into planning and organizing one of the industry's largest educational extravaganzas.

How many people take advantage of the educational offerings in a given year?

Last year, more than 5,100 participated in the conference portion of the Expo. This year, we anticipate between 7,500 to 8,000 people will attend the various seminars.

What goes into your typical day during the Expo?

Do you have a few hours? My daily duties include working with the audio/visual team to ensure quality setup and equipment for the speakers, and coordinating the live workshop demonstrations with NSPI's Service and Builders councils. I also train the room monitors to answer attendees' questions, handle the keynote speaker and attend many NSPI council meetings. Organization is the only way to manage my day.

How do you create the Expo's educational program?

It's a collaborative effort between the Conference Advisory Connnittec, consisting of representatives from all segments of the industry, and me. Course submissions are rated on educational value, overall importance and whether they meet industry standards. The goal is to provide intermediate and advanced classes for 80 percent of the program; the remaining 20 percent cover the basics needed year after year.

With so many new and improved innovations available, technical topics dominate the program. However, there's a generous mix of courses that cover all areas of the industry.

What qualities do you look for in a seminar or instructor?

Seminar content must be educational in nature (no product infomercials are allowed), providing attendees with current information that can be immediately implemented into their businesses. The most sought-after speakers know their subject matter inside and out, and are able to convey their knowledge in a manner that's informative, concise and interesting. The speaker's ability to engage the audience and successfully answer questions provides the most value.

Are there perennial favorites? What makes them so popular?

Hydraulics, water chemistry and employee-management topics are mainstays. The technical issues of hydraulics and water chemistry are necessary due to their complicated natures. Selecting, motivating and keeping top performers also are critical to the success of a business, so we focus on those topics in our courses as well.

Is there some trick to coordinating schedules to take in the most courses?

Every effort has been made to schedule the classes so attendees don't have to make a choice, but occasionally conflicts will occur. To make the best use of your time, review your business: Analyze areas in which you've been successful, as well as those you feel weren't quite so. Also, evaluate areas where you'd like to expand, but don't have enough knowledge to do so just yet. Then review the seminars that fit your No. 1 priority on down. If there are two classes at the same time, have your store or sales manager, your superintendent, etc., attend the class.

How can someone volunteer to lead a course or suggest a future topic?

I have already begun research on the 2005 conference program and am seeking top-notch speakers to present hot, new topics. One area on the list is high-end pool-building techniques and trends. The "2005 Call for Presentations" form is on our Web site (www.PoolandSpaExpo.com), or send me an e-mail at tbeaulieu@hanleywood.com, and I will forward the application.