Rudy, Author at Aquatic Facility Training and Consultants

Technical Field Guide: Mustard Algae (Diatoms)

Post author:Rudy
Post published:September 6, 2025
Post category:Algae Pool News

Mustard Algae (Diatoms) – Prevention and Cleanup Responding to the EPA Sodium Bromide Ban For Pool Pro Use Only: This guide is written specifically for professional pool service technicians. It…

Laci Davis: The Art of Grit

Post author:Rudy
Post published:August 31, 2025
Post category:Pool News

On the west coast of Florida, in the small community of Hudson, there’s a business with a name that sounds more like a mantra than a company: The Grit Game.…

Que Hales and the Ripple Effect of Mentorship

Post author:Rudy
Post published:August 24, 2025
Post category:Talking Pools Podcast

Tucson, Arizona isn’t just cactus and sunsets—it’s also home to one of the sharpest and most stubbornly curious minds in swimming pool chemistry. Que Hales, co-founder of OnBalance and longtime…

Greg Beard – The Poolside Philosopher

Post author:Rudy
Post published:August 17, 2025
Post category:Talking Pools Podcast

In the chlorine-scented world of pool service, where long days blur into hot afternoons and precision matters down to the decimal, a few names carry real weight. One of them…

Top 10 Finalists Named for 2025 Mentor of the Year Award

Post author:Rudy
Post published:August 5, 2025
Post category:Talking Pools Podcast

Top 10 Finalists Named for Talking Pools Podcast 2025 Mentor of the Year Award 🔍 Behind the Process: How We Chose the Top 10 Mentors of the Year in the…

2025 Mentor Awards Finalists and Sponsorship Lineup

Post author:Rudy
Post published:July 19, 2025
Post category:Pool News

Talking Pools Podcast Announces 2025 Mentor Awards Finalists and Sponsorship Lineup July 19, 2025 – Gainesville, Florida – The Talking Pools Podcast is proud to announce the 2025 Mentor of…

Peeing in Pools: The Chemical Reactions

Post author:Rudy
Post published:April 13, 2025
Post category:Water Chemistry

When someone decides "Peeing in Pools" is ok and it's time to take a little "bathroom break" (because apparently, that's just fine), a chain of chemical reactions starts to unfold…

Preparing Your Pool for a Hurricane

Post author:Rudy
Post published:October 16, 2024
Post category:Pool News Home Owner Pool Care Pool Operator Talk News Pool Service Tips

Hurricane Damage courtesy of Hurricane Helene

Understanding Piecework Pay for Pool Service Technicians

Post author:Rudy
Post published:September 28, 2024
Post category:Employees

In the world of pool service companies, figuring out how to compensate technicians is a frequent topic of discussion. As a business owner, you’ve likely wondered about the best way…

Employee or Contractor? The High-Stakes Choice That Could Make or Break Your Pool Business

Post author:Rudy
Post published:September 20, 2024
Post category:Employees

Should you classify your workers as W-2 employees or 1099 contractors? It's a decision that can significantly impact your business. The Department of Labor (DOL) recently introduced a new rule…

Talking Pools Podcast

If you’ve ever stared at a test kit like it personally insulted your family… welcome home.

Talking Pools Podcast is the pool industry’s “pull up a chair” show—part shop talk, part field manual, part therapy session—built for people who actually live on pool decks: commercial operators, service techs, builders, facility managers, and anyone responsible for water that can’t afford to go sideways. The network was created to level up the pool industry with real-world conversations on water chemistry, filtration, troubleshooting, construction, safety, and the business side of keeping pools open and budgets intact.

Here’s the hook: it’s not theory-first. It’s experience-first—a roster of seasoned pros (with 250+ years of combined “been there, fixed that” wisdom) turning complicated problems into practical moves you can use the same day. And it’s not one voice, one vibe, one corner of the industry: it’s a network of shows designed to reflect how diverse this work really is—different regions, different specialties, different personalities.

Also worth saying out loud: women aren’t “special guests” here—they’re on the mic as hosts, from the beginning, with an intentionally balanced roster. That matters, because the best ideas in this industry don’t come from one lane—they come from the whole road.

If you want a podcast that can make you laugh and make you better at what you do—without pretending the job is easier than it is—Talking Pools is the one you queue up before the first stop, and keep on when the day starts getting weird.

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In this episode of Mondays Down Under, hosts Lee Salisbury, Shane Melrose, and Nick take listeners behind the scenes of awards season, conference travel, industry recognition, and the importance of networking within the swimming pool industry. From award ceremonies across Australia to upcoming conferences and trade shows, the conversation explores how professional development, industry engagement, and relationship building continue to shape successful pool businesses.

Episode Highlights

Awards Season Across Australia and New Zealand

Lee shares her experience attending both the ACT and New South Wales industry awards ceremonies, celebrating outstanding achievements from pool builders, technicians, retailers, and service professionals. The hosts discuss the significance of industry recognition and the challenges many professionals face when considering self-nomination for awards.

The Challenge of Self-Nomination

The discussion explores why many highly qualified professionals hesitate to put themselves forward for awards, despite being deserving candidates. The hosts examine potential alternatives, including peer nominations, and discuss ways industry organizations might encourage greater participation from technicians, retailers, and service professionals.

What Really Happens Behind the Judging Process

Lee offers insight into the award judging process, explaining how applications are reviewed, scored, and evaluated by multiple judges. The conversation highlights the extensive effort that goes into ensuring fairness and recognizing excellence across a wide range of industry categories.

Recognizing Excellence in the Pool Industry

Several award winners and finalists are recognized throughout the episode, including discussions about the qualities that separate outstanding businesses and professionals from the rest of the field. The hosts emphasize the importance of technical expertise, customer service, mentorship, and industry leadership.

The Value of Industry Conferences

The conversation shifts to conference season, with discussions about supplier conferences, trade events, educational opportunities, and networking experiences. The hosts share stories from conferences held in destinations including New Zealand, Fiji, Vietnam, Thailand, Israel, and beyond.

Why Networking Matters

Beyond product training and education, the hosts explain how conferences create opportunities to build relationships, exchange ideas, learn from peers, and develop lifelong friendships within the industry. These connections often prove just as valuable as the formal educational sessions themselves.

Looking Ahead to Splash

With the upcoming Splash Trade Show approaching, the hosts preview educational sessions, industry forums, awards presentations, networking events, and opportunities for listeners to connect with the Talking Pools team in person.

Winter Recharge Before Summer Returns

As the southern hemisphere enters winter, the discussion concludes with a reminder about the importance of rest, recovery, and preparing for the next busy season. The hosts encourage business owners and staff alike to use the quieter months to recharge and invest in professional development.

Key Takeaways

Industry awards recognize far more than popularity—they reward professionalism, technical expertise, and dedication.
Many deserving professionals never enter awards due to reluctance around self-promotion.
Conferences provide education, networking, and valuable business-building opportunities.
Strong industry relationships often lead to better business outcomes and lifelong professional connections.
The quieter winter months offer an important opportunity to recharge before the demands of the next season arrive.

Connect With Talking Pools

Have a topic suggestion or question for the Talking Pools Podcast Network? Reach out at talkingpools@gmail.com and the team will direct your question to the most appropriate host.

#TalkingPools #MondaysDownUnder #PoolIndustry #SwimmingPoolProfessionals #PoolTechnician #PoolBuilder #PoolRetail #Splash2026 #SPASA #PoolIndustryAwards #PoolBusiness #SwimmingPools #PoolPodcast #IndustryNetworking #ProfessionalDevelopment

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