Scholarship for pool and spa education
Andy Slater- 12 hours ago
Fluidra and the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance education company GENESIS® have teamed up to launch a new Vance Gillette Scholarship initiative,
The scholarship has been created to honour the memory and legacy of Vance Gillette, pictured, a former Fluidra employee and pool industry icon who passed away in August 2024 at the age of 75 after dedicating his time and talents to elevating the wet leisure industry for almost half a century. A total of four recipients will be selected, each receiving a $2,500 scholarship that can be applied towards GENESIS® pool and spa industry education programs and Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) certification fees.
Application for the Vance Gillette Scholarship is now open to any PHTA member who has been employed in the pool and spa industry for at least one year and who has not yet completed a GENESIS® course. An online application form, for which details are available at www.phta.org/gillette-scholarship, must be submitted by the deadline of February 15, 2025.
Later this year, the first four Vance Gillette Scholarship recipients will be recognised during an awards ceremony at the GENESIS® MasterMind Summit, running from September 23 to 25, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Through a generous matching scheme, Fluidra; which was Vance’s employer for 36 years before his retirement and is a PHTA Strategic Partner; will be sponsoring two of the four winners.
“Vance Gillette was not only a visionary but also a tireless mentor whose passion for elevating our industry was unparalleled,” divulged Fluidra Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing Scott Frost; “The creation of this scholarship ensures that his legacy will continue to inspire and empower the next generation of pool and spa professionals.
“At Fluidra, we are proud to honour his memory by matching funding to this initiative. It’s our way of recognizing the profound impact he had on our industry and ensuring that his dedication to education and excellence lives on through the talented individuals this scholarship will support.”
Personal friend and GENESIS® Co-Founder Brian Van Bower added: “Vance Gillette had a tremendous impact on GENESIS®, and on the industry as a whole.
“He touched the lives and careers of so many and was one of the strongest endorsers of GENESIS® education. We are proud to honour his legacy through the creation of the Vance Gillette Scholarship. Vance would be both thrilled and humbled knowing that he will continue having a positive impact on the industry even after his passing.”
Vance was known as an active supporter of continuing education. When the GENESIS® program first began 26 years ago, he promised to help in any way that he could. He fulfilled that promise by selecting the venue for the first GENESIS® course, securing Jandy® as a sponsor, paying for several students to attend GENESIS® courses, and serving as an instructor.
“PHTA can’t think of a better way to honour Vance Gillette than through the creation of a scholarship fund that will support students in their pursuit of continuing education,” declared PHTA Vice President of Education & Events Jeanne Mendelson.
“We are grateful for our continued partnership with Fluidra and our joint efforts to introduce more industry professionals to GENESIS® education.”
The scholarship launch follows PHTA releasing its Quarterly Pulse Survey Report for the third quarter of 2024. The QPS report has highlighted that the service industry has emerged as the most optimistic sector regarding revenue growth over the next 12 months.
A significant 77 per cent of service companies anticipate increased revenue, with 42 per cent expecting a growth rate of six per cent or more. A substantial 17 per cent are even more optimistic, and are predicting a revenue increase of over ten per cent.
The QPS, now publishing its seventh consecutive quarterly report, also has revealed that the pool construction revenue remains strong; with 54 per cent of respondents reporting increased revenue, 17 per cent reporting the same levels, and 31 per cent reporting a decrease during the past quarter
The retail sector also shares a positive outlook, with 65 per cent of businesses anticipating revenue growth over the next year. While the construction industry is slightly less optimistic, with 63 per cent of builders being still confident about future revenue growth.
Meanwhile, Fluidra has revealed that it achieved sales of €1,637 million in the first nine months of 2024. In the third quarter, sales were up across all regions, with Europe growing for the first time since early 2022.
Southern Europe was up 6.4 per cent while the rest of Europe increased by 3.8 per cent. North America continues leading the way, though, and was up by 9.3 per cent while the rest of the World increased by 6.8 per cent.
“We have an exceptional opportunity to build on our strong foundation as a global leader and continue to deliver value to our stakeholders,” declared Fluidra CEO Jaime Ramirez, who joined the company in June.
Fluidra Executive Chairman Eloi Planes divulged: “I am very pleased with our strong performance in the third quarter. We have continued to execute well in a demanding environment that remains mixed.”
www.phta.org/gillette-scholarship
