With live events getting back to normal again now, following a pause for the summer season, the next ISPE Seminar will take place at the Ship Hotel, Weybridge, Surrey, another new venue for ISPE, on Tuesday 18th October this year. Following this, the Institute returns to the Walton Park Hotel, Clevedon, North Somerset on Tuesday 29th November 2022. Programmes and bookings forms will be available on the ISPE website under Diary Dates and posted to all members about six weeks before each event. Having held 125 successful seminars, the first one back in 1981, many subjects have been presented over the years.
Some of these are regularly updated and repeated as there are lots of new people coming into the pool and spa trade each year who will not have seen that “old favourite” subject. However, with the great bounds of technology in recent years and new products appearing on a regular basis, if there is a subject you would like to see presented (or if you would like to give a presentation) do please let ISPE know. Some of our speakers have made many, many, presentations over the last 40 years or so, and travelled hundreds of unpaid miles, so new speakers with their own specialist knowledge and experiences are always made very welcome. For those who have never been to an ISPE Seminar, there are usually three each year in October, November and March. They are open to all ISPE members and non-members – everybody is welcome.
NETWORKING
The Institute seminars typically feature about five presentations of 30-45 minutes each, on varying subjects. They offer an excellent opportunity to meet other pool engineers, network with individuals from some of the suppliers, manufacturers and other companies in the trade, and make new contacts. The presentations are normally generic, i.e. non-product-specific, but sometimes one presentation slot features a sponsored session where a company may introduce or talk about a particular product, although not as ‘sales-pitches’ (these sessions are well-advertised on the programmes). During the day there are ample opportunities to ask questions of the speakers or raise an issue during one of the ‘Open Forum’ sessions, where any technical pool/spa matter may be raised, not just those relating to the subjects of the day.
In addition, the Speakers are happy to chat on a one-to-one basis, if somebody has a query, but the great thing is, that with the collective knowledge in the room, most questions can be answered or at least discussed to give an insight as to how others tackle or have approached a particular situation (balance tanks, building pools on a hill, green pools, changing filter media, etc., to give a few examples). In addition to all the technical information which may be picked up, refreshments are included and there is an excellent lunch (another good social networking opportunity). Delegates receive copies of the presentations after the event and a certificate of attendance (on the day) indicating 4 CPD points.
For details of ISPE Membership, the Home Study Course, the ISPE CPD scheme, publications or any ISPE training events, including ISPE-Endorsed Pool Plant Operator training, contact the ISPE office by emailing ross@ispe.co.uk or calling 01603 499959.