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.

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

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

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

You’ll leave with practical skills, tools you can use immediately, and connections that accelerate your growth.