Associations & Certifications

Certifications Association and Certifications

Essig Pools is proud to be accredited, certified and active members of the following associations and organizations.

Aquatech Society

Aquatech Society is a collaboration of independent pool builders from across the country who work together to share their knowledge and talents. The Aquatech Society is an invitation-only organization and is one of the most prestigious associations of pool builders. To be a member, pool builders have to consistently meet their high standards for quality construction, business ethics, and impeccable reputations.

Less than 1% of all pool builders in America have been approved to join the ranks of Aquatech builders. Formed in 1962, Aquatech is a group of over 120 pool building professionals, and over 100 retail store operators.

Aquatech has ongoing professional educational programs to develop the skills of each pool builder’s in the overall planning process, leadership and customer service. Aquatech is neither a franchise nor a corporate chain. It is the nation’s #1 Society of Pool Building Professionals.

United Aqua Group

United Aqua Group is one of the nation’s largest organizations dedicated to the professional pool building and retail industry. The group is member-owned and is comprised of individually operated business owners that have been selectively qualified and are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, quality and service in the industry. United Aqua Group manages and operates Aquatech brand.

International Awards of Excellence

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) sponsors the highly coveted International Awards of Excellence competition every year. This contest recognizes and rewards installation of pools that showcase the most beautiful and creative work in the industry. Because of the intense and highly qualified competition from around the globe, the International Award of Excellence is the most difficult to win. We are proud to say that Essig Pools has won this award twice.

The competition is open exclusively to APSP member builders, designers, service and retail firms. Many hundreds of entries are submitted each year, representing member firms across the United States and around the world.

APSP – The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals

The APSP is the world’s largest international trade association representing the swimming pool, spa, hot tub and recreational water industries. APSP is the leading industry advocate promoting professional best practices through education, industry standards, and safety.

APSP members adhere to a code of ethics and professional practices and share a strong commitment to the safe, healthful, and enjoyable use of industry products.

The APSP took over another reputable industry organization known as “National Pool and Spa Institute” or NSPI in 2006.

APSP Member Code of Ethics

All members of The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals agree to be dedicated to and to comply with the following ethical principles and policies:

To contribute to the health, safety and welfare of the public in the design, manufacture, installation, maintenance and operation of swimming pools, spas and hot tubs by complying with all applicable laws, ordinances or regulations and refraining from engaging in fraudulent or deceptive acts or practices.
To hold all necessary federal, state and local licenses, registrations and permits.
To hold legally required liability insurance, workers, compensation insurance, and bonding.
To respect and not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others and to refrain from using the property of others without their prior, written consent.
To advertise products, services and prices truthfully and consistently with all federal, state and local advertising practices requirements.
To establish prices in a manner that does not involve collusion with a competitor and to clearly communicate such prices to potential customers or clients prior to providing such products or services.
To provide written sales agreements when such are requested by customers or required by law.

To comply with the terms of all agreements, oral or written, regarding the provision of products or services.
To respond to any consumer complaints made to any governmental authority, Better Business Bureau or equivalent nongovernmental authority.
To exclude from company ownership or senior management any person or entity who or which, within the past three (3) years, has been convicted of or pleaded no contest (or its equivalent) to any felony or other crime involving business or financial practices.
To use the APSP name, logo and other intellectual property only when and as permitted by APSP, and to cease all such use upon suspension from or termination of membership in APSP.
To file a complaint with APSP regarding a potential violation of this Code of Ethics only when in possession of credible evidence of such potential violation.
To cooperate fully with any APSP investigation of a potential violation of this Code of Ethics.
To encourage utilization of APSP educational offerings as a means of enhancing the professional skills and business integrity of APSP members and their employees.

FSPA – The Florida Swimming Pool Association

The Florida Swimming Pool Association serves as the coordinating organization for swimming pool builders and other pool industry professionals who have committed to abide by the FSPA membership code of ethics.

Also, the FSPA provides government relations representation on behalf of its members to the Florida Building Commission and the Construction Industry Licensing Board as well as other legislative bodies that regulate the swimming pool industry in Florida (such as the Department of Health).

The Association provides educational courses for industry professionals, produces an annual industry trade show, and acts as the consumer resource for finding reliable professionals in the swimming pool industry.

FSPA Membership Code of Ethics

Believing that honesty and integrity, high ideals and concern for the welfare of the pool industry and the public we serve are both desirable and necessary, and in a sincere effort to promote the mission of the Association, members of the FSPA pledge themselves to:
- Keep honesty as our guiding business policy.
- Comply with the spirit and letter of business contracts, existing laws and codes, and manage employees, subcontractors and suppliers with fairness and honor.
- Provide fair and expeditious response to claims covered under warranty.
- Work for the benefit of the consumer through the use of quality materials and construction practices backed by integrity and service.

- Keep informed regarding public policies and other essential information which may affect our business interests and those of the pool industry as a whole by attending the minimum number of association meetings as prescribed by my local Chapter.
- Promote the concepts of free enterprise and service to the public and the industry.
- Make all advertising and sales promotion factually accurate, use only competent testimonials, avoid those practices which tend to mislead or deceive the customer, and refrain from false or misleading criticism of competitors.
- Support and abide by the decisions of the Association in promoting and enforcing the Code of
- Ethics and cooperate with any investigation related to such enforcement.

Top 50 Builders

Each year the Pool & Spa News magazine researches all the major pool and spa builders in North America based on criteria such as longevity, customer satisfaction, quality ratings, awards, etc. and compiles a list of the Top 50 Builders in the pool and spa industry.

We are privileged and proud to be on this list of the Top 50 Builders.

Aqua 100 Hall of Fame

Each year, AQUA Magazine published profiles of 100 of the top spa and pool dealers, builders and service companies in the industry. These outstanding companies were chosen not by their size or sales volume, but by the overall professionalism they displayed in the areas of customer service, store design, product knowledge, craftsmanship and advertising/promotion.

We received what is considered the most prestigious award in the pool industry when inducted into the Hall of Fame by Aqua Magazine.

The Hall of Fame recognizes swimming pool companies that have consistently demonstrated the highest levels of professionalism and creativity in customer service, workmanship, store design, promotions, advertising, and product knowledge.

United Pool & Spa Association

United Pool & Spa Association (UPSA) was chartered in 1983 as a non-profit trade association. It was originally organized to serve the interests of commercial pool contractors and their associates, suppliers, and the engineers that design public pools.

In recent years UPSA has expanded its membership to welcome solid residential swimming pool builders, as well as swimming pool service contractors, particularly those serving the commercial and public pool trade.

UPSA exists to create and maintain a better business environment for the members. The association is active in government agency liaison and oversight, safety promotion, education and providing networking opportunities for all members.

UPSA will continue to seek new and creative solutions to industry challenges. By attracting those who appreciate our approach, which uses a non-confrontational and consensus building style, we expect modest, but controlled growth.

UPSA is registered with the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board as a CE Course provider. Our courses are non-commercialized and inexpensive. They are offered to the trade at our Annual Meeting and Expo and at seminars and workshops regularly scheduled in major metropolitan markets throughout the state. Refer to our calendar page in this website for upcoming educational events.