Education Program

Visit NPConline.org to Register

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22

Track 1 Track 2 Track 3
8:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Common Plaster Problems & Solutions

PRESENTERS: Joey Chavez, Tom Engel

GRAND BALLROOM BRAZOS I & II

When do I Waterproof?
Why & When?

PRESENTER: Ken Milbery

ELM FORK I & II

10: 45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. – Noon

OSHA Health & Safety for Pool Pros

PRESENTER: Lauren Broom

WEST FORK I & II

Seasonal Pool Care

PRESENTERS: Chas Bogardus, Joe Lukacik

TRINITY CENTRAL

Spot Etching & Calcium Nodules

PRESENTER: Tom Engel

ELM FORK I & II

Noon – 2:15 p.m. Lunch & Auction – Grand Ballroom
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Plaster Placement Round Table

PRESENTERS: Rob Burkett; Shaun Goldberg, Danny Chavez, Dave Cooke

GRAND BALLROOM BRAZOS I & II

Product Presentation Seminar

by MicroGlass LLC
This session is a paid sponsorship.

ELM FORK I & II

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Track 1 Track 2 Track 3
8:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

How to Improve Your Business and Bottom Line Through Documentation

PRESENTER: Kent Westfall

WEST FORK I & II

Identifying Pool Concrete Issues Prior to Plaster

PRESENTERS: William Drakeley, Jr.; Jon Temple

GRAND BALLROOM BRAZOS I & II

10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

How to Use Tech Bulletins in
Your Business

PRESENTERS:
Jana Auringer, Jeff McGalliard

WEST FORK I & II

Commercial Interior Finishes – How Light is Right?

PRESENTERS: Jason Eckenrod, Phil Greggs

TRINITY CENTRAL

Tech Manual to the Rescue

PRESENTER: Joey Chavez

ELM FORK I & II

Noon – 1:30 p.m. Lunch & Auction – Grand Ballroom
1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Water Chemistry 2024: The Latest & Greatest

PRESENTER: Terry Arko

WEST FORK I & II

Ask the Masters Round Table

PANEL:
Scott McKenna, Rob Burkett, Dave Schilli,
Dave Cooke, Chris Marcano, Alan Smith

TRINITY CENTRAL

Today’s Cement for the Pool Industry

PRESENTERS: Danny Chavez, Joe Diedrich

ELM FORK I & II

3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Break
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Top 10 Game-Changing Digital Marketing Trends of 2024

PRESENTER: Pam Vinje

WEST FORK I & II

How to Grow, Evolve & Expand Your Business

PANEL:
Chase Yamin, Ryan Schilli

TRINITY CENTRAL

Keeping Your Business Out of Legal
Hot Water

PRESENTER: Ray Arouesty

ELM FORK I & II

4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Exhibits & Reception – Rio Grande

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Common Pool Plaster Problems and Solutions … Beyond Forensics

Speakers:  Joey Chavez, Poolcorp / Tom Engel, Poolcorp

This class will help you identify, remedy, and avoid common pool finish issues which can level the playing field between yourself, your customer, and the service technician.

When do I Waterproof? Why & When?

Speaker:  Ken Milbery, Lunada Bay Tile

 

OSHA Health & Safety for Pool Pros

Speaker:  Lauren Broom, Space Coast Pool School

This OSHA Safety Class is specific to aquatic professionals and the swimming pool industry. It teaches basic safety and health information to entry-level workers with examples that make it relevant to those in this industry. This intro course will highlight different workplace hazards that employees may encounter on the job within the pool industry. The goal is to introduce the idea of workplace health and safety to our industry to help maintain a safe and healthy workplace by training our employees and employers to identify and reduce safety and health hazards in their workplaces.

Seasonal Pool Care

Speakers:  Chas Bogardus, Budd’s Pools & Spas / Joe Lukacik, Sun Pool & Spa Supply

Spot Etching & Calcium Nodules

Speaker:  Tom Engel, Poolcorp

Learn how to identify spot etching and calcium nodules. Understand how and why they occur and learn about the tools the NPC has to help you.

Plaster Placement Round Table

Panel:  Rob Burkett, Burkett’s Pool Plastering / Shaun Goldberg, Burkett’s Pool Plastering / Danny Chavez, Continental Distribution / Dave Cooke, David Cooke Plaster Company

 

Product Presentation Seminar by MicroGlass LLC (Paid Sponsorship)

MicroGlass is the ultimate defense for your pool finish. By infusing cutting-edge nano-densifiers, MicroGlass reinforces the weakest elements within your white plaster, colored plaster, quartz, polished and pebble finishes with a glass-like silicate. MicroGlass greatly reduces pigment loss, craze cracks, etching, mottling, and plaster dust. Expect extended color brilliance, simplified stain removal, amplified durability, increased service life, and reduced cost and time on start-up. Offer your customer the ultimate plaster upgrade.

It’s your plaster job. It’s your company’s reputation. Defend it with MicroGlass.

How to Improve Your Business and Bottom Line with Documentation

Speaker:  Kent Westfall, NPC

This class will show some simple steps for documenting all phases of your business.
• Manage your client’s expectations.
• The correct way to make changes to the contract.
• How and when to photograph issues.
• Proper way to communicate with your client and subs.
• What forms to utilize when progressing through a project.
• How to “close out” a project.
• How to protect your business from legal issues.
• Improve your image in the industry.

Identifying Pool Concrete Issues Prior to Plaster

Speakers:  William Drakeley, Jr., Drakeley Pool Company, Watershape University / Jon Temple, Tempool Inc.

Pool plaster application, bondability, and integrity are directly contingent on the concrete pool shell quality. Compressive values, Portland/binder contents, quality mix designs, installation techniques, etc. are all important aspects of shell construction. Cracking, sandy textures, and color variations are a tell-tale sign of bad concrete composition. Attendees will learn how to identify faulty pool construction techniques prior to plaster installation that will eventually affect any implied warranties.

How to Use Tech Bulletins in Your Business

Jana Auringer, Pebble Technology, Inc./Jeff McGalliard, JMK Associates dba Premier Pools & Spas

Commercial Interior Finishes, How Light is Right?

Speakers:  Jason Eckenrod, SGM / Phil Greggs, SGM

This class will discuss the importance of properly sizing equipment and white goods for both new construction and replaster jobs. The class will go over the impact of variable speed pumps on hydraulics and design, as well as identify best practices for efficiency in pool and spa construction/renovation. Learning objectives include: 1-VGBA compliance: When you’re plastering a pool or spa, you must confirm VGBA compliance. This class will provide clarity on what changed and required actions for applicators and designers. 2-The impact of variable speed pumps on existing drain cover compliance: If a single speed pump has been replaced with a variable speed pump, flow rates WILL be impacted. According to Federal Law, any modification that increases the flow rate of the circulation system shall require re-evaluation of the cover, grate, and sump to ensure that the flow rating of the suction system is not exceeded. This class will show you how to obtain and document compliance. 3-Share best practices: This includes drain cover solutions as well as how to increase profits and customer satisfaction through equipment pad upgrades.

Water Chemistry 2024: The Latest & Greatest

Speaker:  Terry Arko, Hasa

This class will start off by looking at basic water chemistry with an emphasis on the latest information and standards. The course will cover:
• Understanding source water
• Why chemicals are necessary.
• Types of Chlorine and Strengths
• Water Balance
• CYA
• Borates
• Algae problems and solutions
• The importance of clear water

Tech Manual to the Rescue

Speaker:  Joey Chavez, Poolcorp

This class is for those of you who could use some serious backup when it comes to inspecting pool finishes. The Technical Manual can give you that extra outside help that everyone can use!

Ask the Masters Round Table

Panel:  Dave Schilli, Schilli Plastering Company / Scott McKenna, Gardner Pool Plastering / David Cooke, David Cooke Plaster Company / Rob Burkett, Burkett’s’ Pool Plastering / Chris Marcano, BioLab Inc. / Alan Smith, Alan Smith Plastering

Today’s Cement for the Pool Industry

Speakers:  Joe Diedrich, Federal White Cement / Danny Chavez, Continental Distribution

In this program, we will briefly discuss ASTM C150, Type I cement which has been commonly used in swimming pools for the last 50+ years. We will also briefly discuss ASTM C1157, Type GU cement, which is a performance-based cement that has been used in the western U.S. for the last 10+ years. And finally, we will have an in-depth discussion of the newer ASTM C595, Type IL cement, which is expected to see an increase in use as environmental factors drive the cement industry in this direction.

Future-Proof Your Business: The 10 Game-Changing Digital Marketing Trends of 2024

Speaker:  Pam Vinje, Small Screen Producer

Staying abreast of the latest digital marketing game-changers is crucial in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. It equips businesses with the tools and strategies they need to stay competitive, engage effectively with their target audience, and drive growth. In an era where technology is constantly reshaping the rules of engagement, understanding these innovations is not just an advantage, but a necessity for survival and success. In this session you will uncover the top 10 technology-driven game changers and how to future-proof your company, as a result.

Objectives:
Discover Google and Bing’s latest Artificial intelligence rollouts and how they impact your business.
Delve into the top social media marketing platforms and discover the latest news, and content development tips and tricks. Explore the latest website must-haves to grow and protect your business.

Young Professionals Round Table - How to Grow, Evolve & Expand your Business

Panel:  Chase Yamin, All Phase Pool Remodeling, Inc. / Ryan Schilli, Schilli Plastering Company

Join a round table discussion led by young professionals Chase Yamin and Ryan Schilli sharing how they are growing and evolving their business in the industry. From grassroots generational base to greenfield operations development and location additions. Learn from the panels’ success and share your own with the attendance on-hand of like-minded young professionals in our unique trade.

Keeping your Business Out of Legal Hot Water

Speaker:  Ray Arouestey, Arrow Insurance div of HUB International

Many insurance claims and lawsuits arise from common mistakes that are easily avoidable. This seminar will focus on the common errors made by service, repair, and remodel contractors based on past legal cases. It will include simple techniques to avoid claims and minimize liability.