By Belkis Vigil, True Blue Pools Contracting
When we think about what it means to be a contractor today, it’s easy to focus on the immediate tasks: building pools, managing crews, keeping clients happy, etc. The truth is that our work doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Every project we take on is shaped by the laws, codes, and standards that govern our industry. That’s why belonging to organizations like the Florida Swimming Pool Association is not just a matter of professional pride, it’s a matter of survival and growth. This year, we have seen two issues come up in the legislation and building commissions that could have had a tremendous negative impact on our industry and our bottom line. One was the use of copper grids instead of the single wire bonding issue, and the other was the proposed HB-431, allowing HVAC companies to creep into our industry and allow them to install swimming pool and spa heaters.
Membership in FSPA connects us to something larger than ourselves. It gives us a collective voice in Tallahassee and Gainesville, where decisions are made that can either strengthen or weaken our businesses to make them more difficult to operate successfully. It provides education and training that keep us ahead of changing codes and technologies. It builds credibility with clients who see that we are part of a respected statewide association. And it creates a network of peers who share knowledge, opportunities and support. In short, FSPA membership is about more than just dues, it’s about investing in the present and future of our profession.
But membership alone is not enough. Advocacy requires resources, and that’s where the Pool Industry Political Action Committee, or PIPAC, comes in. PIPAC is the engine that drives our influence in the political arena. By pooling contributions from contractors across the state, PIPAC ensures that our industry has a seat at the table when legislation is drafted and debated. Whether it’s bonding codes, licensing requirements, or safety standards, these decisions directly affect how we operate. Supporting PIPAC means protecting our livelihoods and securing a fair playing field for the next generation of swimming pool builders.
It’s easy to overlook the importance of advocacy when you’re busy running a business. The reality is that the laws, regulations, and public perception impact everything we do. By joining FSPA and donating to PIPAC, pool contractors are not just strengthening their own companies, they are fortifying the entire pool industry. They are ensuring that our collective expertise and professionalism are recognized, respected, and defended. We are very lucky to have Dallas J. Thiesen, Chief Government Relations Officer for FSPA, who has played a vital role in advocating for our industry’s future and well-being. We also have an amazing firm, Converge Government Affairs, led by Carlos Cruz, strategizing, networking and lobbying for us in Tallahassee. His firm knows how to navigate the choppy waters of governments and plot the course for successful initiatives and strategies.
So, when we ask pool contractors to become members and to support PIPAC, we’re not asking for a contribution. We’re asking for commitment to the future. We’re asking for an investment in the stability and growth of an industry that has given us our careers, our communities, our homes, our families’ futures and our civic pride. Together, through FSPA and PIPAC, we can make sure that the pool industry doesn’t just survive, but that it thrives. So, in conclusion, I want to ask those of you who are not members to consider becoming members, and those of you who are, please consider donating to the PIPAC.
