While many home, garden and construction-related trade shows still are struggling to pick up steam and return to pre-recessionary growth, the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo enjoyed a second consecutive year of increases in attendee and exhibitor participation.

Held Nov. 2-4 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, the annual trade show and conference for the pool, spa and backyard industry drew 9,717 attendees and 484 exhibitors to a 122,250 square foot showfloor, according to show officials.

Last year, the event attracted 9,255 attendees and 459 exhibitors spanning a 122,500 sq. ft. showfloor.

“Despite continued economic challenges, we are very pleased that the show generated an increase in attendance for the second consecutive year,” said Lindsay Roberts, show director at Hanley Wood Exhibitions. “There was a real energy on the showfloor that was shared by both attendees and exhibitors resulting in an all-around compelling event.”    

Produced and owned by Hanley Wood, the event’s attendees include pool and spa builders and installers, retailers, service companies, landscape architects and design agencies and manufacturers.

Of the show’s 484 exhibiting companies, 125 were first-time exhibitors. Many were pleased with the quality and quantity of their leads, as well as an obvious increase in attendee interest, said show officials.

“We had a 25-percent increase in leads over last year’s show,” said Robert Marchwinski, national sales manager at Grosfillex Contract Furniture. “The show definitely exceeded our expectations”.

This year’s event also introduced new showfloor sections, including the APSP Live Zone offering hands-on live workshops and classroom presentations and the Energy Efficiency & Green Pavilion, with education and resources addressing this growing, cutting-edge industry segment.

Besides myriad showfloor activities and special events, the show also offered a comprehensive educational program, with 76 business, technical and “hot topic” seminars that provided participants with best practices and a look at the latest industry-related technologies. Advanced, pre-show educational programs also were offered for pool and spa builders and designers and service company professionals.

“Reports from exhibitors of solid business, coupled with rave reviews from attendees about the show floor and educational offerings made this show a real success,” said Bill Weber, president and CEO of APSP, the show’s official sponsor.

The 2012 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo is scheduled to take place Nov. 6-8 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.