The World Aquatic Health Conference returns for 2021 as In-Person Event
Alex Clamp- 3 years ago
Alex ClampIn a press release from the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) it has been announced that the 18th annual World Aquatic Health Conference (WAHC) will take place as an in-person event this October 13th-15th in Houston, Texas USA. This will be the PHTA’s first in-person event following on from when COVID-19 pandemic began, finally allowing pool operators, environmental health officials, service technicians, aquatic managers, and other industry professionals to reconnect, network, and learn.
In the last 18 months, the pool and hot tub industry has experienced historic growth. At the same time, health and safety have been at the forefront of everyone’s minds. WAHC 2021 will address the increased demand for certified pool operators, water safety education, and an understanding of public health and safety issues related to pool ownership.
WAHC is offering over 30 sessions across four tracks: Water and Air Quality, Facility Management, Codes and Standards, and Employee Management and Aquatic Programming. Attendees can earn up to 11 PHTA CEUs, or 1.1 AICET CEUs. There are also several pre-conference sessions starting October 11, including the PHTA Instructor Assessment School and the Certified Pool & Spa Operator® (CPO) Course.
A Keynote Presentation will also be delivered by Paralympian Jessica Long, who at just 12 years old competed in the 2004 Athens Games and won three gold medals. She competed again in Beijing, London, and Rio and continued to win medals at each. Long will also be swimming for Team USA in Tokyo this summer.
“Long’s inspirational story should resonate with everyone in the aquatics industry,” said Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President and CEO of PHTA. “What swimming has done for her—and what she has done for swimming—highlights the importance of our industry and encourages us to strive to make aquatic facilities safe and healthy spaces for all users.” Long’s keynote presentation will take place Thursday, October 14 at 8:30 a.m.
Other speakers include government officials, professors, engineers, and other subject matter experts who will all share knowledge and ideas that attendees can apply to their businesses right away.
“PHTA is so thankful to be able to host WAHC in-person again,” said Sabeena Hickman. “We know our members have missed making connections and learning from each other in a way that can only happen face-to-face. WAHC is back and better than ever.”
Jeanne Mendelson, Vice President of Education & Events at PHTA also spoke on the event, saying, “We are very excited about this year’s lineup of speakers and sessions,”. “Attendees will learn about cutting-edge aquatic research that will make their pools, hot tubs, and other water features safer and more enjoyable.”
To learn more and register for WAHC, visit wahc.phta.org. And for more information, please contact Janay Rickwalder, PHTA’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, at jrickwalder@phta.org or 703.357.3918.
Andy Slater
