Boosting brain power: the Florida show's educational program offers a multitude of courses

Pool & Spa News, Feb 13, 2004 by Margi Millunzi

Pool and spa professionals will have numerous opportunities to hit the books while at the Florida 2004 Pool & Spa Show, Organizers have put together more than 80 hours of education this year. The 50-plus courses deal with diverse topics, from understanding cash flow to a look at mesh safety barriers.

Unique to Florida, all licensed industry members must rake 14 hours of continuing-education (CE) courses approved by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) during a two-year time flame. Many of the Florida Swimming Pool Association's courses count toward those required hours.

As part of this CILB requirement, license holders must take a one-time-only course on the Florida Building Code. The four-hour Friday course will provide an introduction to the state's building codes and highlight any changes that have occurred. This year, the show also offers the "Advanced Pool & Spa Building Codes" seminar, a follow-up to the general course, that focuses solely on the code's swimming pool aspects.

The educational program also includes a variety of courses on workers' compensation, workplace safety and business practices. Attendees' CE hours must include one hour in each of these three subjects. To make it easier to identify the courses that fulfill this requirement, the seminars in the following listing are marked with their applicable subject category.

Courses fill up quickly, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged, especially if you are seeking credit, say organizers. For more information on the CILB requirements, seminars or fees, or to register, contact FSPA at (707) 943-1004 or visit www.fpsaonline.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 5

8-9 a.m.

Computer Sales Tools Instructors: Ed Bogel. Constructive Software Solutions, and Randy Taylor, RW Taylor Design & Consulting Business Practices Requirement; NSPI Business Credit

Customer Service--Create Ecstatic Customers Instructor: Dan Johnson, CBP, Swim Inc, Business Practices Requirement; NSPI Business Credit

Expansion Joints and Sealants Instructor: Jim Dill, W.R. Meadows/ Deck-O-Seal NSPI Technical Credit

Workers' Compensation Instructor: David Griffiths, Insurance By Ken Brown Workers' Compensation Requirement; NSPI Business Credit

8-10 a.m.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Instructor: Roy Lenois, Artesian Pools of East Florida Business Practices Requirement; NSPI Business Credit

15 Things All Successful Companies Have in Common Instructor: Tom Grandy, Grandy & Associates Business Practices Requirement; NSPI Business Credit

Genesis Edge Program: Vanishing Edges, How to Make the Magic Instructors: Skip Phillips and Brian Van Bower, Genesis 3 NSPI Technical Credit

Hiring for Talent Instructor: Bill Kent, Homer Equipment of Florida Business Practices Requirement; NSPI Business Credit

8 a.m.-noon

Building Code Core Course Note: Attendees ore only required to take this one time as a license holder. Do not enroll if you took this course in 2002 or 2003.

9:10-10:10 a.m.

How To Do Major Pool Renovations Instructor: Dan Essig, Essig Pools NSPI Technical Credit

Improve Sales and Profits with Financing Instructor: Edward Scholle, Key Home Equity Services/Key Bank Business Practices Requirement; NSPI Business Credit

Training Employees in Chemical Handling Instructor: Ken Skaggs, Oreq Workplace Safety Requirement; NSPI Technical Credit

Workplace Safety Instructor David Griffiths, Insurance By Ken Brown Workplace Safety Requirement; NSPI Business Credit

10:20-11:20 a.m.

64E Code Changes (Public Swimming Pools) Instructor: Tom Donaldson, Aquatic Training Institute NSPI Technical Credit

Construction Contracts Instructor: Fred Dudley, Akerman, Senterfitt & Edison PA Business Practices Requirement; NSPI Business Credit

Motor Troubleshooting and Replacement Instructor: Dennis Bush, A.O. Smith Electrical Products NSPI Technical Credit

10:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m.

Alternative Plaster Surfaces Instructor: Phil Greggs, Southern Grouts & Mortars Inc. NSPI Technical Credit

Electronic Ignition Heaters Instructor: Danny Crump, Pentair Pool Products NSPI Technical Credit

Employee Retention Instructor: Bill Kent, Homer Equipment of Florida Business Practices Requirement; NSPI Business Credit

Outdoor Living Areas, Kitchens, Barbecues and Fire Elements Instructors: Skip Phillips, David Tisherman and Brian Van Bower, Genesis 3 NSPI Technical Credit

Product and Service Pricing for a Profit Instructor: Tom Grandy, Grandy & Associates Business Practices Requirement: NSPI Business Credit

What's New in Pool Alarms Instructor: Diane Mullins, Terrapin Communications NSPI Technical Credit

10:20 a.m.-1 p.m.

LP Gas & Pool Heaters: Achieving a Safe Combination Instructor: John Antonio, I P Gas Inspector, State of Florida, Bureau of LP Gas NSPI Technical Credit

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Chapter 489--"Contractor's Responsibilities" Instructor: Fred Dudley, Akerman, Senterfitt & Edison PA Business Practices Requirement: NSPI Business Credit

Understanding Advantages and Installation of Pavers Instructor: Dan Essig. Artistic Paver Manufacturing NSPI Technical Credit