The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals

What The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals does

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), formerly The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association founded in 1956 and headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, with a secondary office in Colorado Springs. PHTA serves approximately 4,000 members across seven industry segments — manufacturers, builders, distributors, service companies, retailers, commercial facilities, and professional affiliates — within the $62B U.S. pool, hot tub, and spa industry. Its core product set comprises the Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO) certification, Service & Maintenance and Build & Design certification pathways, the GENESIS design/engineering/construction education program, and the Center of Excellence online learning platform offering 250+ courses. PHTA also develops and publishes American National Standards (ANSI/PHTA/ICC-4, -5, -7, /NPC-12, and PHTA-2) for pool and spa safety, construction, and operations through a consensus standards process, operates events such as the Pool | Spa | Patio Expo and MasterMind Summit, and offers member services including ProAdvantage insurance and an Affinity Partner Program.

The organization generates revenue across five streams: recurring membership dues from professionals and companies in the pool, hot tub, and spa ecosystem, education and certification fees (CPO courses, GENESIS, Center of Excellence), one-time sales of standards documents and publications through the PHTA Store, event registration and booth/sponsorship revenue, and advertising/strategic-partnership income from industry vendors. Distribution is multi-channel: direct membership enrollment via the PHTA website and the PHTA Store, regional chapters, an online self-serve learning platform, and event-driven engagement. The association is governed by a Board of Directors with no parent company or external ownership, and is affiliated with six regional/international partner associations (CPSA, IHTA, Step Into Swim, TPSC, NESPA, PHCC).

Name

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals

Legal name

Pool & Hot Tub Alliance

Website

https://apsp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PHTA is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association serving 4,000 members across the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry through education, certification (CPO, GENESIS), ANSI standards development, advocacy, and member services since 1956.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: PHTA generates revenue through annual membership fees from pool, spa, and hot tub professionals including manufacturers, builders, distributors, service companies, retailers, and commercial facilities. Members access benefits including education, certifications, advocacy support, and industry resources.
2. Education and Certification Programs: Revenue from Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO) courses, GENESIS education programs, and Center of Excellence online courses providing professional certifications and continuing education to industry professionals.
3. Standards and Publications Sales: Sale of technical standards documents including ANSI/PHTA/ICC codes, builder's manuals, and industry publications through the PHTA Store.
4. Events and Conferences: Revenue from Pool Spa Patio Expo, MasterMind Summit, and other industry events including registration fees, booth rentals, and sponsorships.
5. Sponsorship and Advertising: Strategic partnership program allowing companies to sponsor events, advertise, and gain visibility within the pool and hot tub industry through the PHTA platform.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

PHTA is a nonprofit trade association that serves the U.S. pool, hot tub, and spa industry through member services, professional certification (including the Certified Pool Operator credential), the GENESIS construction school, ANSI-accredited standards development, government and regulatory advocacy, industry events, awards programs, and member benefit programs such as ProAdvantage insurance.

Product overview

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) operates as a membership-based trade association offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services centered on education, certification, standards development, and industry advocacy. The core offerings include the Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO) certification program and specialized certification pathways for service technicians and builders/designers. The GENESIS education program and Center of Excellence (an online platform with 250+ courses) provide professional development, while ProAdvantage offers insurance products. PHTA also publishes ANSI/PHTA/ICC technical standards for pools and spas, organizes events including the Pool | Spa | Patio Expo and MasterMind Summit, and administers awards programs. The association represents approximately 4,000 members in the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GENESIS: World-class education for pool and spa design, engineering, and construction
• Center of Excellence
• Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO)
• ProAdvantage by PHTA Insurance
• Step Into Swim

Products and services

• Pool & Hot Tub Alliance Membership Trade association membership for pool, hot tub, and spa industry companies and individuals, providing access to advocacy, standards, education, and member benefits.
• Certified Pool Operator (CPO) Certification The industry's primary recognized certification for pool and spa operators, covering water chemistry, safety, equipment, and regulatory compliance.
• GENESIS Construction School Advanced education program for pool and spa builders and designers covering construction techniques, engineering, and design principles.
• PHTA Center of Excellence Designated pool and hot tub service companies that meet PHTA's standards for training, insurance, and business practices.
• ProAdvantage Insurance Program Group-rate liability and property insurance program available to PHTA member companies in the pool and spa industry.
• ANSI/PHTA Industry Standards ANSI-accredited standards for pools, hot tubs, and spas, including the PHTA Standards Portfolio covering design, installation, and performance.
• PHTA Awards Program Annual industry awards recognizing excellence in pool and hot tub design, construction, and service.
• PHTA Annual Conference and Trade Show The industry's primary annual gathering for networking, education, product launches, and continuing education for pool and spa professionals.

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AipercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAiper is a strategic partner of PHTA as part of the Strategic Partnership Program. PHTA recognizes Aiper's commitment to the pool and hot tub industry through this partnership announced in 2026.
• BiolabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiolab is listed as a strategic partner of PHTA, providing support for industry initiatives and programs.
• FluidracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFluidra is a strategic partner of PHTA, contributing to industry development and PHTA programs.
• HaywardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHayward is a strategic partner supporting PHTA's mission and industry initiatives.
• Heritage Pool Supply GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeritage Pool Supply Group partners with PHTA as a strategic partner for industry advancement.
• Lyon FinancialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLyon Financial is a strategic partner of PHTA, supporting industry programs and initiatives.
• Pentair PoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPentair Pools is a strategic partner of PHTA contributing to industry growth and development.
• POOLCORPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPOOLCORP is a strategic partner of PHTA, supporting industry initiatives and member programs.
• RBcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRB is a strategic partner of PHTA, contributing to industry programs and initiatives.
• SoleniscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolenis is a strategic partner of PHTA supporting industry development and programs.
• Watkins WellnesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWatkins Wellness is a strategic partner of PHTA, contributing to industry growth and member support.
• California Pool & Spa Association (CPSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPSA is an affiliated regional association working with PHTA to support the pool and spa industry in California.
• International Hot Tub Association (IHTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHTA is an affiliated association partnering with PHTA to represent hot tub industry interests internationally.
• Step Into SwimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStep Into Swim is an affiliated initiative of PHTA promoting swimming education and water safety.
• Texas Pool & Spa Coalition (TPSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTPSC is an affiliated regional association working with PHTA on Texas pool and spa industry advocacy and education.
• Northeast Spa & Pool Association (NESPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNESPA is an affiliated regional association partnering with PHTA for the Northeast pool and spa industry.
• Pool and Hot Tub Council of Canada (PHCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPHCC is an affiliated international association partnering with PHTA to represent Canadian pool and hot tub industry.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Home Builders: Largest U.S. trade association for the residential construction industry with similar advocacy, education, and standards functions. Comparable structurally as a national trade association but operates at vastly broader scope.
• American Hotel & Lodging Association: Major U.S. hospitality trade association. PHTA's 'Commercial Facilities' segment (hotels, resorts) creates direct overlap, and AHLA's structure (membership, certification, advocacy, events) is comparable to PHTA's at larger scale.

Direct peers

• National Kitchen & Bath Association: Trade association serving kitchen and bath industry professionals with education, certification (CKBD/CKBR), and advocacy functions. Highly comparable in structure to PHTA as a residential-focused trade association in an adjacent home improvement vertical.
• Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association: Trade association for the outdoor living industry (hearth, patio, barbecue). Comparable to PHTA in operating as a niche-focused industry trade body with certification, advocacy, and an annual member expo.
• International Spa Association: Global trade association for the spa industry with overlapping education, certification, and advocacy functions. Adjacent to PHTA's spa/wellness mission and structurally similar as a membership-based association with certification programs.

Regional players

• California Pool & Spa Association: California-based regional pool and spa trade association affiliated with PHTA. Comparable membership, advocacy, and education model, but concentrated in California's large and heavily regulated pool market.
• Texas Pool & Spa Coalition: Texas regional trade association for the pool and spa industry, affiliated with PHTA. Comparable in scope and member offerings to PHTA but geographically focused on Texas — a critical market for the industry.
• Northeast Spa & Pool Association: Regional trade association serving pool and spa professionals across the Northeast U.S. and currently affiliated with PHTA. It is directly comparable in mission and offerings to PHTA but operates in a narrower geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thephta
• YouTubeyoutube.com/pool&Hottuballiance
• Facebookfacebook.com/PoolHotTubAlliance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-association-of-pool-&-spa-professionals
• Instagraminstagram.com/phta_alliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals