Pool & Spa News: Event-full Expo: visitors to the International Pool & Spa Expo can investig

The most challenging part of the International Pool & Spa Expo, to be held Dec. 1-3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is figuring out how to take in everything at once. To help you create a solid game plan, we've compiled this extensive schedule of events.

Times and locations are subject to change, so please confirm this information when registering at the convention center. For a more detailed listing of the educational program, see the Pool & Spa News 2004 International Pool & Spa Expo Planner, a supplement to the Oct. 15 issue.

MONDAY, NOV. 29

7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Registration Las Vegas Convention Center

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Professional Pool & Spa Operator Course, Day 1 (Advance registration required) Las Vegas Convention Center Room N236

8 a.m.-5:38 p.m. Education Programs (Pass required) Las Vegas Convention Center

9 a.m.-noon NSPI Service Education Meeting Las Vegas Hilton

2-5 p.m. NSPI Service Council Meeting Las Vegas Hilton

3 p.m. NSPI Retailers Council Meeting Las Vegas Convention Center Room N202

TUESDAY, NOV. 30

7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Registration Las Vegas Convention Center

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Professional Pool & Spa Operator Course, Day 2 (Advance registration required) Las Vegas Convention Center Room N236

8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Education Programs (Pass required) Las Vegas Convention Center

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fluid Assets: Pool & Spa Gems of Las Vegas Tour (Advance registration required) Meet at the shuttle pick up/drop-off site

9:45 a.m.-5 p.m. NSPI Board of Directors Meeting Las Vegas Hilton

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 1

7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Registration Las Vegas Convention Center

7:30-9 a.m. NSPI Manufacturers Council Meeting Las Vegas Convention Center Room N202

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Professional Pool & Spa Operator Instructor Course (Advance registration required) Las Vegas Convention Center Room N236

8-9:30 a.m. Education Programs (Pass required) Las Vegas Convention Center

9:45-10:30 a.m. Keynote Address: Rudy Ruettiger (Ticket required; free to all attendees) Las Vegas Convention Center Hall N1

10:45 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Exhibits open Las Vegas Convention Center

10:45 a.m.-5:30 p.m. NSPI Retailer of Excellence Concept Store Las Vegas Convention Center

Noon-5 p.m. Demo Site/Live Workshops Las Vegas Convention Center

3:30-5:30 p.m. Education Programs (Pass required) Las Vegas Convention Center

6-8:30 p.m. Welcome Party The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Ticket required; free to all attendees)

THURSDAY, DEC. 2

7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Registration Las Vegas Convention Center

7:30-9 a.m. NSPI Hot Tub Council Meeting Las Vegas Convention Center Room N202

7:30-9 a.m. Fiberglass Pool Manufacturers Meeting Las Vegas Convention Center Room N239

8-10 a.m. NSPI Finance Committee Meeting Las Vegas Convention Center Room N241

8-10 a.m. Education Programs (Pass required) Las Vegas Convention Center

8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. NSPI's Recreational Water Quality Committee Symposium on Public Health & New Technologies (Pass required) Las Vegas Convention Center Room N101

10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Exhibits open Las Vegas Convention Center

10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. NSPI Retailer of Excellence Concept Store Las Vegas Convention Center

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Demo Site/Live Workshops Las Vegas Convention Center

12:45-1:45 p.m. NSPI Proficiency Exam (Advance registration required) Las Vegas Convention Center Room N238

12:45-4 p.m. Certified Service Professional (CSP) Exam (Advance registration required) Las Vegas Convention Center Room N238

3:30-5:30 p.m. Education Programs (Pass required) Las Vegas Convention Center

7-10 p.m. NSPI Awards of Excellence Presentation Banquet Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino

FRIDAY, DEC. 3

7 a.m.-3 p.m. Registration Las Vegas Convention Center

7:30-9 a.m. 2005 NSPI industry Leadership Planning Committee Meeting Las Vegas Convention Center Room N241

7:30-9:30 a.m. NSPI Manufacturers' Agents Council Meeting Las Vegas Convention Center Room N202

8-10 a.m. Education Programs (Pass required) Las Vegas Convention Center

9 a.m.-noon NSPI Builders Council Meeting Las Vegas Convention Center Room N202

9 a.m.-2 p.m. NSPI Government Relations Advisory Committee Meeting Las Vegas Convention Center Room N218

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Exhibits open Las Vegas Convention Center

10 a.m.-3 p.m. NSPI Retailer of Excellence Concept Store Las Vegas Convention Center

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Demo Site/Live Workshops Las Vegas Convention Center

11:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Certified Building Professional (CBP) Exam (Advance registration required) Las Vegas Convention Center Room N238

Certification and exams

MONDAY, NOV. 29, and TUESDAY, NOV. 30

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Professional Pool and Spa Operator Course Room N236

The new PPSO program offers education and certification to commercial pool and spa managers, operators, engineers, service company professionals and owners in the United States. Following the course, participants will be able to appropriately and safely operate commercial pools and spas. The session features a basic licensure-level education and training curriculum that complies with state requirements. Successful completion results in the designation as a Certified PPSO.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 1

8 a.m.-5 p.m. PPSO Instructor Course Room N236

Learn the teaching skills for training commercial pool/spa operators. The course is open to NSPI Certified Service Professionals (CSP), experienced PPSO Certified Operators (more than nine months), and current and former instructors of qualified pool/spa operator courses. Those who pass the exam become PPSO Certified instructors.

THURSDAY, DEC. 2

12:45-1:45 p.m. Proficiency Exam Room N238

If you haven't completed Tech I, but have at least five years' industry experience, you may skip Tech I by receiving a passing grade on the exam. This exam is the first step toward becoming a Certified Service Professional (CSP). Advance registration only.

12:45-4 p.m. Certified Service Professional (CSP) Exam Room N238

NSPI members who have completed Tech II and the requirement of 40 technical elective credit hours may register to sit for the exam. Those who receive a passing grade on the exam will be granted the CSP designation. Advance registration only.

FRIDAY, DEC.3

11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Certified Building Professional (CBP) Exam Room N238

Designed to measure pool and spa building competency, 1hie closed-book exam tests participants' pool-construction knowledge and competence, as well as their professional knowledge of how to operate or manage a pool or spa building firm. Each NSPI builder member who meets all of the program requirements will be granted the CBP designation. Advance registration only.

To register for the courses and exams listed above, contact the National Spa & Pool Institute's Bird Dawson via e-mail at bdawann@nspi.org, or call her at (703) 838-0083, ext. 152.

Welcome party

Join friends and colleagues Wednesday, Dec. 1, for the Expo kick-off celebration at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's acclaimed live concert venue. The Joint.

The International Pool & Spa Expo Welcome Party, set for 6-8:30 p.m., will feature complimentary hors d'oeuvres, drinks and live entertainment. Plus, party-goers can chat with Mark Spitz, a nine-time Olympic gold medalist who will be available for autograph and photo opportunities.

The party is included with Expo admission, but you must register to attend. Only those aged 21 and older will be admitted. The event is sponsored by Wells Fargo Financial Retail Services, NSPI, International Pool & Spa Expo and Pool & Spa News.