Pool Operator Talk News Archives - Page 6 of 17 - Aquatic Facility Training and Consultants

How to Get Rid of Swimming Pool Algae

Post author:Rudy
Post published:February 12, 2021
Post category:Pool News Author Rudy Stankowitz

On the Verge of a More Active Algae Season than Ever Before Due to a Nation Wide Chlorine Shortage - There Are Steps That You Can Take to Prevent a…

2021 U.S. Chlorine Shortage

Post author:Rudy
Post published:February 9, 2021
Post category:Pool News

Chlorine Shortage Expected to Plague Nation into 2022 A follow up to our September 2020 article Biolab Fire Expected to Cause Pool Chlorine Price Increase U.S. Chlorine Shortage What Caused…

Badly Decomposed Body Found in Swimming Pool

Post author:Rudy
Post published:January 28, 2021
Post category:Pool News

Lewisville PD has Not Ruled Out Foul Play. A swimming pool service company uncovered the badly decomposed body of an unknown male early Thursday morning. Nemo's pool service had been…

Water Hammer Pool Plumbing

Post author:Rudy
Post published:January 9, 2021
Post category:Equipment

This one won't be a long one because it's fairly cut and dry. If you move a valve handle, no matter what type of valve, while the system is running,…

How Borates in Swimming Pools Buffer pH

Post author:Rudy
Post published:December 27, 2020
Post category:Water Chemistry Borates pH Adjustments

Borates in Swimming Pools This may very well be the 'New Craze' in swimming pool chemistry and probably comes as close to being the elusive 'Magic Pill' as anything. Though…

How Pool Pump Cavitation Sucks!

Post author:Rudy
Post published:December 11, 2020
Post category:Equipment Pool Service Tips

I'm afraid there's not going to be anything pretty about this one. At least not with the diagrams. I want to talk about Why Pool Pump Cavitation Sucks and the…

Backwashing Pool Filter Weekly is NOT a Thing!

Post author:Rudy
Post published:December 4, 2020
Post category:Equipment Pool Service Tips

[responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Male" buttontext="Listen to Post"] Backwash Pool Filter. Filters are designed to have water run through them in a certain direction. To clean two of the three types…

CPO Certification Course ©

Post author:Rudy
Post published:November 28, 2020
Post category:CPO Certification Class Education

CPO Certification Made Easy At Aquatic Facility Training & Consultants, we believe the CPO certification class should include more than the class itself. We know that students may have questions after…

Alum CyA Removal Method Step-By-Step

Post author:Contributor
Post published:November 24, 2020
Post category:Chemicals

This is probably a bit overdue, but we decided it would be easiest to bullet point the CyA removal method we are field testing. So, here is the Alum CyA…

Example Price Increase Letter

Sample Pool Service Price Increase Letter – Chlorine Shortage

Post author:Rudy
Post published:November 20, 2020
Post category:Pool News

A Manufacturer's price increase should not cost you money - Pool Service Price Increase Letter ✔ This is a tough one, especially during 2020, with everything else that has gone…

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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Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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