International Hot Tub Association – Hot Tub Association, Hot Tub Industry, Hot Tub Information, IHTA International Hot Tub Association (IHTA) 941-206-4482. A trade organization whose goal is to provide guidance to those seeking to own, use a hot tub, portable spa.

The only trade organization solely dedicated to the hot tub industry and whose goal is to provide guidance to those seeking to own and use a hot tub.

News

PORTABLE HOT TUB EDUCATION TRACK SCHEDULED
Mark Wednesday, November 7th as Portable Hot Tub Day at the International Pool, Spa and Patio Expo in New Orleans. This marks the first time at International Expo, the offering of a seminar track, specifically
designed for the hot tub industry and it’s retailers. “We are very excited and thank the show leadership for their willingness to partner with us on providing these educational opportunities to those specific to our industry. We encourage our industry members to sign up for these courses to pave the way for more opportunities in the
future” stated Bob Lauter, IHTA Board President and CEO of Master Spas.

There are three seminars organized by the IHTA to help industry members. They are:

Wednesday, November 7th, 8:00am to 9:15am – “Portable Hot Tub Industry: Navigating, Building and Maintaining Local Government Relationships.”

Are you a portable hot tub dealer who feels the challenges of keeping up with code changes? Are your
customers confused about all of the codes and standards required for a hot tub and installation? Do you wonder why you should care abut laws affecting your industry in Boulder, Colorado, when your business is in Portland, Maine? Learn from a panel of industry experts who will answer these questions and more…!

Wednesday, November 7th, 9:30am to 11:00am – “Social Media Strategies for the Portable Hot Tub Dealer.”

Learn about Social Media and how to use it to enhance your portable hot tub business. Twitter,
Facebook, StumbleUpon and YouTube…see how these “tools” can help you communicate with your customers. Find out from an expert in marketing how to build relationships like never before. Find out how to drive new customers to your store/business using social media and the benefits of online social networking sites.

Wednesday, November 7th, 3:30pm to 5:00pm – “Hot Water and Healthy Living – Using Warm Water
Immersion in Your Sales and Marketing Plan.”

Startling research shows that both the body and mind benefit from the simple act of immersion in warm water. We live in a world where many people face serious health issues including the loss of mobility, chronic disease and depression. In partnership with the National Swimming Pool Foundation, this
seminar will review the benefits that are broad and science that is exciting, along with giving you the tools to use these important benefits in your portable hot tub sales and marketing plans.

“We have lined up some great speakers for these seminars and we know those who attend will not be
disappointed, stated Mitch Brooks.” IHTA Executive Director. “Over the next months we will be sending out a “SPOTLIGHT” on each of the seminars, along with information about each instructor. You must register for these programs so don’t delay, we are expecting a sell out crowd! Watch your email for additional information.”

To sign up as an attendee, visit the shows official website at www.poolspapatio.com

IHTA ANNUAL MEETING HELD
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS ELECTED
The International Hot Tub Association held its Annual Meeting on January 10th and elected their officers and directors for the New Year. Bob Lauter from Master Spas is the new President. Mike Dunn from Watkins Manufacturing is the Vice President and Cindi Magray from Spa Manufacturers is the Secretary Treasurer. Directors elected are: Michel Authier, Gecko Alliance; Jeff Bailey, Spring Dance Hot Tubs; John Day, Sloan LED; Don Elkington, Coast Spas Manufacturing; Steve Hammock, Watkins Manufacturing; Jerry Hyland, PoolCorp; Patti Kirsch, Waterway Plastics; Bob Moore, Custom Molded Products; Sue Rogers, Oregon Hot Tubs; Larry Savage, Lawrence R Savage Associates and Howard Smith from Pleatco.

The group is excited about 2012 as it begins to plan IHTA’s agenda for the year.Bob Lauter, IHTA’s newly elected Board President is Chief Executive Officer of Master Spas
based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Master Spas is one of the largest manufacturers of hot tubs and swim spas in the world. Master Spas’ diverse line of products can be found in homes around the globe and include Twilight Series Spas and Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spas.

Bob has been a leader in the hot tub and spa industry for more than thirty years and has been CEO of Master Spas for fifteen years. He sits on several boards and has received numerous
honors for his contribution to the industry including the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals INSPIRE Award, the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the
Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics.

Bob lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana with his wife, Sherry and has three grown children. Together, they are active in their community working with the Lupus Foundation of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and various other charities.

For more information contact the IHTA at (941) 206-4482.

Latest IHTA Tips

Spas, Pools and Arthritis

Posted in Health Benefits, Medical Studies

The Arthritis Foundation study shows that the soothing warmth and buoyancy of warm water make it a safe, ideal environment for relieving arthritis pain and stiffness and improving the range of movement of joints affected by arthritis. Exercising in a warm-water pool or hot tub, or hydrotherapy, is one method of using water to help treat arthritis.

Mayo Clinic States Spas for Heart Patients

Posted in Health Benefits, Medical Studies

The Mayo Clinc states that relaxing in a spa may actually be less stressful to for your heart then working out on an exercise bike. Passive heating, they found, was less stressful to the body than light exercise. “If you’re a heart-disease patient and your physician has recommended exercise.” he concluded. “we feel you can get in the hot tub and likely not have any problems.”

Improve Your Game

Posted in Assisting Sports Activity

Injury Prevention

Posted in Assisting Sports Activity, Health Benefits

Improve Winter Sleep with a Hot Tub

Posted in Health Benefits, Lifestyle Benefits, Medical Studies, Personal Relaxation

A study conducted by the Journal of Physiological Anthropological Applied Human Science; studied the effects of daily bathing and hot footbath in winter on the sleep behavior of nine healthy female volunteers. The results suggest that both daily bathing and hot footbath before sleeping facilitates earlier sleep onset.

Lastest IHTA News

IHTA ANNUAL MEETING HELD OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS ELECTED

The International Hot Tub Association held its Annual Meeting on January 10th and elected their officers and directors for the New Year. Bob Lauter from Master Spas is the new President. Mike Dunn from Watkins Manufacturing is the Vice President and Cindi Magray from Spa Manufacturers is the Secretary Treasurer. Directors elected are: Michel Authier, Gecko Alliance; Jeff Bailey, Spring Dance Hot Tubs; John Day, Sloan LED; Don Elkington, Coast Spas Manufacturing; Steve Hammock, Watkins Manufacturing; Jerry Hyland, PoolCorp; Patti Kirsch, Waterway Plastics; Bob Moore, Custom Molded Products; Sue Rogers, Oregon Hot Tubs; Larry Savage, Lawrence R Savage Associates and Howard Smith from Pleatco. The group is excited about 2012 as it begins to plan IHTA's agenda for the year.

INSIDERS - IHTA LAUNCHES NEW UNIQUE INDUSTRY WEBSITE A NEW MEMBER BENEFIT!

"Our goal in the near future, with more companies joining the IHTA to help give us the means to do it, is we want to go into regulatory monitoring and code compliance in the states that have a lot of these issues."