The National Plasterers Council Conference

PoolPro has compiled the best events, seminars and booths for pool professionals to visit at The NPC Conference.

Feb. 21 – 23

The Worthington Renaissance 

Fort Worth, Texas 

Events

Wednesday, Feb. 21

Golf Outing – Rockwood Municipal  

8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 

Advanced registration required 

Not far from Fort Worth, Rockwood Municipal Golf Club offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. Well-groomed fairways and greens keep Rockwood Municipal Golf Club difficult yet friendly, and the staff can offer tips and tricks for playing your best round. It is an 18-hole regulation course. Cost: $75 per person including Uber transportation

Vine and Wine Tour 

10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Advanced registration required 

Travel to three wineries located just outside the Fort Worth metroplex and spend an hour at each venue. View the vineyards of two of north Texas’ most beautiful vineyards, meet the winemakers and owners, tour the production facilities, walk through the vineyards, learn how grapes are grown and sip wine in an exquisite barrel room. Wineries serve snacks and charcuterie boards. Cost: $145 including transportation and tasting fees. Food is not included.

Bikes & BBQ: Electric Bike Tour 

9:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.   

Advanced registration required 

Become a modern-day cowboy and explore the best of Fort Worth on this electric bike excursion. Sightsee in the downtown area, stopping at landmarks like Fort Worth Water Gardens and Sundance Square Plaza, then head to the Stockyards district to see a live longhorn cattle drive. After you’ve worked up an appetite, end your adventure with a delicious lunch at a local barbecue joint. Cost: $155 including transportation and lunch. Drinks are not included.

Young Professionals Meet and Greet

5-5:30 p.m.

New Member Reception

5:30-6:30 p.m.

NPC Opening Reception  

6:30-9:30 p.m.  

Included with conference registration 

Get connected and meet with colleagues and friends at the opening reception. Join us in the grand ballroom for an evening of food, drinks and networking.

Watershape University Education

Monday, Feb. 19 – Tuesday, Feb. 20

Construction 2711:  Major Renovations Workshop  

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

As existing pools age and ownership turns over to a new generation, major renovations have become a larger part of the Watershape construction market. This in-depth, two-day major renovation design course is formatted with targeted lectures supporting an interactive renovation design project.  

Cost: $1,500 per person   

Visit WaterShape.org for advanced registration.

Certification Classes

Wednesday, Feb. 21

Start-up Technician Certification Class

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.  

Advanced registration required 

Kent Westfall, NPC director of technical services

Become an NPC certified start-up technician by taking the certification class. 

Member fee: $325 | Nonmember fee: $595

Show Education

Thursday, February 22

Common Plaster Problems and Solutions 

8:45-10:45 a.m. 

Presenters: Joey Chavez and Tom Engel 

How to Grow, Evolve & Expand Your Business

8:45-10:45 a.m. 

Panel: Ryan Schilli, Brad Mead, Nadia Beane, Lee Valenzuela Jr., Hector Guzman

OSHA Health and Safety for Pool Pros 

11 a.m. – Noon

Presenter: Lauren Broom 

Seasonal Pool Care 

11 a.m. – Noon

Presenters: Chas Bogardus and Joe Lukacik 

Spot Etching and Calcium Nodules 

11 a.m. – Noon

Presenter: Tom Engel 

Plaster Placement Round Table 

2:30-4:30 p.m. 

Panel: Rob Burkett, Shaun Goldberg, Danny Chavez and Dave Cooke 

Product Presentation Seminar by MicroGlass LLC 

2:30-4:30 p.m. 

This session is a paid sponsorship

Friday, February 23

Identifying Pool Concrete Issues Prior to Plaster

8:45-10:45 a.m.  

Presenters: William Drakeley, Jr. 

How to Use Tech Bulletins in Your Business 

11 a.m. – Noon

Presenters: Jana Auringer and Jeff McGalliard 

Commercial Interior Finishes — How Light is Right? 

11 a.m. – Noon

Presenters: Rob Blake and Phil Greggs 

Keeping Your Business Out of Legal Hot Water

11 a.m. – Noon 

Presenter: Ray Arouesty

Water Chemistry 2024: The Latest and Greatest 

1:45-3:15 p.m. 

Presenter: Terry Arko 

Ask the Masters Round Table 

1:45-3:15 p.m. 

Panel: Scott McKenna, Rob Burkett, Dave Schilli, Dave Cooke, Chris Marcano and Alan Smith  

Today’s Cement for the Pool Industry 

1:45-3:15 p.m. 

Presenters: Danny Chavez and Joe Diedrich  

The Top 10 Game-Changing Digital Marketing Trends of 2024 

3:30-4:30 p.m.

Presenter: Pam Vinje 

When Water Meets Plaster

3:30-4:30 p.m.

Presenters: Jana Auringer and Jeremy Hasbrouck

Tech Manual to the Rescue

3:30-4:30 p.m.

Presenter: Joey Chavez

Exhibits and reception

4:30-7:30 p.m.