In Episode 266 of the Pool Nation Podcast Edgar John dig in with Aquastar, Poolside Tech, and Raypak on how open collaboration (not vendor lock-in) is unlocking smarter automation, safer equipment, and real freedom of choice for pool pros and builders. We talk best-in-class integration (pump + filter + automation + heater), remote diagnostics that prevent truck rolls, why being privately held matters for innovation, and the mindset shift from “good enough” to category excellence.

Plus: PSP/Deck Expo Las Vegas updates (Pool Nation Conference Oct 24–25), the $10K Pool Pro Challenge (Oct 22), and the Pool Nation Awards (Oct 23) with a call to vote before Oct 1. Sponsor shoutouts to SPPA, Blu-Ray XL, AquaStar, Natural Chemistry, Heritage, Hayward, Poolside Tech, Pool Brain, and US Motors/Neptune.

If you service pools, manage vacation rentals/Airbnbs, or build pads, this episode is a masterclass on efficiency, reliability, and customer experience—straight from the teams installing thousands of new systems right now.

Chapter Timestamps

• 00:00 – Show open: New intro + welcome to Pool Nation
• 01:00 – Edgar sets the stage: “The New Three” and freedom of choice
• 02:30 – Sponsor thanks & co-host banter (Zac’s “Naked & Afraid” bit)
• 03:45 – Why this matters: vendor lock-in vs. innovation on the pad
• 07:00 – Event rundown: PSP/Deck Expo, $10K Pool Pro Challenge, Awards & voting deadlines
• 08:30 – What is “The New Three”? (Aquastar + Poolside Tech + Raypak)
• 09:45 – Built to work together: category expertise and simple configuration
• 11:30 – End-user wins: safety, efficiency, quality—why it’s a “homeowner home run”
• 13:00 – Culture check: collaboration over competition (and why it’s rare)
• 14:30 – Continuous improvement: using real-world data to ship fixes fast
• 15:40 – Stop the truck roll: remote diagnostics that save hours (and weekends)
• 18:00 – Designing for the pool pro: Friday-afternoon problems solved
• 20:00 – Real stories: Airbnb heat control, setpoint tweaks, going in prepared
• 21:30 – Knowledge base + support that actually calls you first
• 24:00 – Proactive support & “did you have a good time installing it?”
• 26:00 – Live shoutouts to the community
• 28:00 – How the partnership formed: aligned values → an open ecosystem
• 31:00 – Breaking the bundle: why choice pressures everyone to build better
• 33:00 – Non-negotiables: safety, efficiency, quality, longevity
• 36:00 – Voice of the customer: what pros kept asking for
• 38:00 – Why being privately held changes everything (no shareholder handcuffs)
• 41:00 – Culture > strategy: moving fast without red tape
• 44:00 – Industry rant (facts!): doing the right thing for pros & homeowners
• 46:00 – Sponsor Break #1 (Conference + partner spots)
• 51:00 – Back from break: core values lived, not poster-ized
• 52:30 – Day-to-day collaboration: data sharing & “fix it in days, not quarters”
• 56:30 – Pool pros as part of the improvement loop (without extra work)
• 1:03:00 – Meetings? Nah—access, trust, and jumping on issues
• 1:05:00 – Edgar’s automation pain story → how the new stack solves it
• 1:07:00 – Why freedom of choice matters to homeowners and pros
• 1:10:30 – Pads stayed primitive while homes got smart—time to catch up
• 1:12:00 – Pipeline filter & first-swing wins; what v2 will unlock
• 1:15:00 – Competition heats up: big three start reacting (that’s good)
• 1:18:00 – Sponsor Break #2 (Conference + partner spots)
• 1:23:00 – Final segment setup + more shoutouts
• 1:24:00 – Final thoughts (Todd): innovation that justifies replacement before failure
• 1:26:00 – Final thoughts (John): how we position upgrades to deliver real ROI
• 1:30:00 – Gratitude, teasers (sorry—no spoilers!), Vegas see-you-there
• 1:32:00 – Outro + where to find us

✅ Sponsor List

We couldn’t do this podcast without the support of our visionary partners:

• SPPA – General Liability Insurance for Pool Pros → thesppa.com
• Blu-Ray XL – The real mineral purifier that cuts costs & labor
• AquaStar Pool Products – Makers of the Pipeline cartridge filter
• Natural Chemistry – Specialty water care & phosphate removal solutions
• Heritage Pool Supply – Education Fund & industry support
• Hayward Pool Products – Pool and spa innovation, including Universal ColorLogic® 2.0
• Poolside Tech – Pool Attendant® automation and remote pad intelligence
• Pool Brain – Business software built for service companies
• US Motors / Nidec – Neptune variable speed motor, versatile VS upgrades
• Raypak – Avia HD heaters with NiTec™ technology for scale resistance

📣 About the Pool Nation Conference

This is the only conference in the pool industry that combines business, technical, and hands-on training into one powerhouse event.

📍 When & Where: October 24–25, 2025 at the PSP/Deck Expo, Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall
📊 Business Track: Financials, pricing, leadership, hiring, and scaling your company
🔧 Technical Track: Water chemistry, automation, plumbing, heaters, and troubleshooting
🛠️ Hands-On Track: Real equipment, real installs — strip wires, take apart heaters, install pumps

You’ll leave with practical skills, tools you can use immediately, and connections that accelerate your growth.
👉 Register today at poolnation.com or poolspapatio.com.