It was a case of the old guard making way for the new as a number of first-time recipients stood up to accept awards at the recent Swimming Pool and Allied Trade Association presentations. With no less than 16 companies all taking home golds; the celebrations were more evenly spread than in living memory. The SPATA organisation represents 178 pool building and retail companies, the majority based in the UK. It announced this year’s winning projects at a ceremony held at the De Vere Grand Hotel in Brighton, in February. The competition was fierce with 133 projects vying for victory in 21 categories compared with 85 entries in 22 categories last year.
Brighton
Amid fears that a rival exhibition could strip the core pool and spa industry associations of vital future revenue, water leisure sectors are being urged to back SPATEX, the exhibition that has raised in excess of one million pounds for the industry in its 17 year history.
SPATEX is part of the BSPF umbrella group that includes the member organisations of SPATA and BISHTA. Enjoying a virtually free rein since its inception in 1996, SPATEX, held every February in Brighton, now faces stiff competition from a rival event.
Going head-to-head on timing and on price packages, the organisers of Piscines, Lyon, the world’s largest dedicated water leisure show, will launch an alternative UK pool and spa show to be held at Birmingham’s NEC in January 2013.
