With the challenge of the COVID-19 crisis escalating in the last month, Jim’s Pool Care has made the difficult decision to cancel it’s national Conference. Their 2021 Conference was to be held on the Gold Coast at the end of August along side the Pool & Spa industry’s bi-annual SPLASH Trade show. With more than 100 delegates set to attend it was a difficult decision for General Manager Brett Blair, but with the lockdowns now affecting multiple states it was the correct decision.
Brett told us “the annual Jim’s Pool Care Conference is an amazing opportunity for our national team and all our great suppliers to get together, share ideas and implement strategies to sustain and grow their businesses in coming years. Our priority is always our franchise owners well being, and with the SPLASH Trade Show also having to postpone it was the right decision to postpone also until 2022”.
Many of the Pool Industry’s franchise systems have now also cancelled or postponed their annual conferences but they are all looking at ways to keep franchisees informed by engaging in ongoing professional development through digital channels such as live online meetings and training opportunities. Mr Blair said “all businesses are in the same boat and with national organisations adapting through 2020/2021 we have had some great outcomes from the varied delivery strategies being implemented. This now includes online learning modules and recorded meetings that franchisees can consume in their own time, on any device and from anywhere. This means all team members are getting the same consistent information in a timely manner”.
Many of the pool industry leaders are now working with SPASA, the industry body, on strategies to improve the industry, keep members informed and come through this COVID crisis stronger than ever. They are also working with State Governments on lock down strategies and developing COVID Safe plans for franchisees and customers. With the approaching warm weather there are more than 1 Million Pools in Australia that need to be kept safe with so many families working and studying from home, this is critical.
