West Aussies use Perth swimming pool show to plan home holidays

The Pool Spa & Outdoor Living Expo was held in Perth on April, and with more than 6000 visitors the organisers are hailing it as a great success, considering the currently slower Western Australian market. These numbers were down from the peak of March 2015 but higher than both September 2015 and September 2014.

There were 108 exhibitors showing their pool and outdoor wares over a beautiful Perth weekend, shared with a number of other local events such as the Bike Hike which closed part of the freeway and a Walk for Cancer Charity Event as well as a ROC family adventure race.

The marketing campaign was well received with the message to Holiday at Home.

The expo covers more than just swimming pools and spas, as it also has outdoor kitchens, BBQs, landscaping, turf, paving and decking. Organiser Carol Harper says the visitors may come looking for an outdoor kitchen but leave with a spa.

“The numbers may not have been as high as previous years,” Harper says. “However every exhibitor has said that they were happy with the leads they received over the weekend.

“The other very important aspect of exhibiting is the networking opportunities with other exhibitors. Many working relationships are formed at events such as these, and could provide as much business as selling to the public.”

Research found that 34 per cent of the attendees were 35 to 44 years of age, and 29 per cent were 45 to 54 years of age. The research also showed 60 per cent of attendees came to see swimming pools, and 62 per cent came for landscaping ideas.