Phuke t Phuke t Phuke t Phuke t Phuke t MMMMMAGAZINEAGAZINEAGAZINEAGAZINEAGAZINE24Huge float tank, made in Thailand.

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POOLASIAEXPO 2011

PhuketTropical Asia�’s first Pool & Spa TradeExhibition proves to be a success

The pioneering POOLASIA Expo & Conference 2011, held on Phuket at the HiltonPhuket Arcadia Resort and Spa from 4 - 6 March 2011, was an undoubted success.With visitors and exhibitors from 33 countries, 28 international speakers and 59

companies participating, the Expo gave unparalleled access to international knowledge andexpertise.

POOLASIA was unique in being dedicated to all countries in the tropics, where outdoorswimming pools are exposed to harsh environmental conditions. Heavy rainfall and abundantvegetation may not only cause contamination but also react with disinfectants such as chlorine,causing itchiness and that familiar smell associated with chlorine. In addition, the extremelystrong tropical sun depletes chlorine by as much as 50% in only 35 minutes, making achievinginternational quality standards a tough job.

Who is giving pool operators of public, hotel and resort pools independent knowledgeto deal with such difficulties for the benefit of consumers and tourists? According to Dr JosefKonrad, the organizer of POOLASIA, the answer is nobody. It is not only Thailand that lacks an

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independent knowledge platform, but alsothe surrounding region, home to 2 billionpeople.

It is therefore no surprise that many pooloperators do not know that they mustdistinguish between �“active�” and �“inactive�”chlorine to ensure that the pool is safe forswimming. Making this distinction is also akey in assuring that cross infection betweenswimmers with viruses, bacteria or parasitesis prevented. Cheap or free test-kits oftenprovided by chemical suppliers are notdesigned to test for active chlorine. ThePOOLASIA Expo gave pool operators theopportunity to learn about this issue free of

charge, although disappointingly the majorityof invited hotels did not send representatives.The POOL CLINIC showed how to test poolwater on 12 different parameters to ensurethe highest quality of water, save chemicalsand minimize �“aging�” of pools.

Pool professionals and operators wereable to participate in tropical Asia�’s first certifiedoperator course on the initiative ofPOOLASIA. The US based non-profitNational Pool & Spa Foundation (NSPF)certified pool professionals from Myanmar,Indonesia, Brunei and China.

In Europe, water in public pools has tomeet similar standards of hygiene to drinking

The CEO of the

BioNova Group, Rainer

Grafinger, Germany: �“It

was an interesting

conference with good

contacts in a tropical

region.�”

Pool Asia participants.

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water. Because children in particular cannot beexpected to avoid swallowing some water frompools, it is essential that pool water is kept freeof diseases. Ministries of Health in countries suchas Germany and the US take this issue veryseriously. POOLASIA therefore initiated theInternational Awareness Conference �“Tourism& Healthy Water�”, the first of its kind in Asia,as the highlight of the POOLASIA show on 4th

March. Dr Stottmeister and Dr Grummt of theGerman Federal Environment Agency, DrAntineau of the NSPF, and Southeast Asia�’sfamous Water Park designer and consultant Mr.Lim, from Malaysia, were among the 10international speakers.

Other speakers highlighted the hugepotential of medical pools and aqua fitness togenerate more value from swimming pools,open new market niches and to encouragetourists to stay for longer periods of time orreturn in the future.

The founder of Europe�’s only AquaFitness Professionals Convention providedcertified Aqua Fitness Instructor Coursesthroughout the POOLASIA Expo. The onlydisappointment was that more visitors did nottake the opportunity to learn new coursetrends such as Zen Aqua, Bollywood Wavesor Aquatic Kick & Punch at the hotel�’s lovelyswimming pool.

Whirlpool on display at Pool Asia.

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The ECO POOL FORUM focused onhow to build ecologically-friendly pools. It wasshown how efficient pool management cansave water and reduce the use of chemicalsand energy. This issue is of extremeimportance for large pools, which are veryexpensive to operate if international waterquality standards are to be achieved.

The �“Defining Luxury Pools Built onSustainability�” Forum unveiled a taste of thefuture with stainless steel pools. Not only dothey look extremely modern and timeless, theyare also lightweight, easier to maintain andparticularly suitable for mountain slopes.Property developer ISTANA Phuket showed

definite interest, and it will be interesting tosee which company will be the first to take theplunge in Thailand. In Singapore it will soonbe reality, with the construction of a largepublic pool made 100% from stainless steel.

The �“Pool Tech Talk�” on the final dayrevealed which saltwater pool system is themost resource efficient. It is the sea water system,where pre-filtered sea water is pumped intothe pool and electro chlorinated to disinfectthe water.

An extraordinary attraction of thesundowner was the monofin performance ofMr Vladimir Karmazin, trainer of the ThaiNational Fin Swimming Team from the Thai

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Dive Association (TDA).The trade show offered multiple

opportunities to network and connect withother industry professionals from across Asiaand around the world. Visitors from as far asShanghai, New Zealand and Dubai mingledat two Sundowners at the charming terracewith dedicated meeting points for the themes:�“ecological pool, medical pool & spa and pooldesign�”.

The absolute highlight of theSundowners was the POOLASIA award, thefirst pool award for outstanding achievementsin the pool industry and business in tropicalAsia.

JD POOLS Co. Ltd. (Thailand), Mr. Pachare, Manager

& Business Development, �“Such an international

show is new to Thailand. We are very satisfied. Not

so many visitors came, but the ones who came

promise excellent business opportunities. We will

certainly join POOLASIA 2012.�”

Hilton Arcadia owner Maitree

Narukatpichai & Phuket Vice-

Governor Mr. Weerawat Janpen.

(above). Relaxing at the show

(below).

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POOLASIA ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS 2011Category 1: Water Treatment Concept

Magnapool Australia, Australia

Highlight:Highlight:Highlight:Highlight:Highlight: Environmentally-friendly integrated pool water treatment concept with magnesium &

potassium as alternatives to conventional salt water chlorination using sodium chloride.

Category 2: Process Innovation

UVION GmbH, Germany

Highlight:Highlight:Highlight:Highlight:Highlight: Chlorine-free swimming pool water treatment by Cu/Silver Ionization with online control

of copper.

Category 3: Product development

PAC Co., Ltd., Thailand

Highlight:Highlight:Highlight:Highlight:Highlight: Almost total heat recovery of air conditioners for pool heating.

POOLASIA AWARDS 2011Category 1:Category 1:Category 1:Category 1:Category 1: Resort Pool VillaResort Pool VillaResort Pool VillaResort Pool VillaResort Pool Villa

SONEVA KIRI, Koh Kood, SIXSENSES for their ECO VILLA

Selected main criteria:

Environmentally friendly and fully-integrated pool water treatment and setup.

For their ECO POOL VILLA with reed bed-water clarifier and Mg/Potassium disinfection with

additional value for money �“swimming pool water for health improvement�”.

Category 2:Category 2:Category 2:Category 2:Category 2: Outstanding Business SupportOutstanding Business SupportOutstanding Business SupportOutstanding Business SupportOutstanding Business Support

Mr. MARTIN WOELK from TINTOMETER GmbH, Germany

For his outstanding efforts to create awareness in the understanding of water quality in the pool

business in Asia for the past 15 years.

POOLASIA will host the 2012 show in Bali and be back to Thailand in 2013. It hopes to build upon

the success of the first show by attracting a bigger local audience.

www.poolasia.com

info@poolasia.com

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POOLASIA EXPO 2011Exhibiting companies (in conformity to UFI standard) 59

Countries: 20 countries

International companies / Thai companies 36 / 23

Registered companies (incl. media and barter trade) 68

Attendees, total (audited) 372

Countries 33 countries

Exhibitors (persons) 181

Visitors, audited 145

Exhibition space, netcertified in conformity to UFI standard 2,735 sqm,

SpeakersCountries 3110

Conference delegates (registered) 43

Pool Operators Professionals Course - CPO by

NSPF participated / successfully certified 10 / 5

Countries Myanmar, China,

Brunei, Indonesia,

Thailand, India

Aqua Fitness Instructor Course by

AQUATEAM successfully certified 7

Countries Thailand

Award winners - AXT Co. Ltd., Thailand, UVION GmbH, Germany and MAGNA POOL Ltd., Australia (from left).