From January 21 -23, 2026, ASP – America’s Swimming Pool Co. brought franchise owners, staff, and vendors together at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Miramar Beach, FL for the 2026 Built to Grow Conference. The event served as a forum for connection, learning and alignment across the ASP system as owners prepare for the year ahead.
Designed around the core pillars of success – Basics, Strategy, Profit, and People -- the conference created space for meaningful conversations around growth and long-term success. Throughout the event, franchise owners heard directly from brand leadership, industry partners, and fellow owners who shared insights rooted in real-world experience and collaboration.
The conference opened with opportunities to connect outside the classroom, with a lively morning on the golf course where ASP owners competed in friendly rounds under the Florida sun, followed by an evening welcome reception with remarks by Brand President Jimmie Meece, Executive Vice President Stewart Vernon, and valued partner PoolCorp.
ASP Brand President Jimmie Meece and Executive Vice President and Founder Stewart Vernon addressed owners during general sessions, reinforcing ASP’s commitment to:
- Returns – Ambition to deliver “best in class” returns operationally, commercially, and from a cost perspective.
- Relationships – Being a “true partner” by having the full strength of Authority Brands behind you.
- Reliability – Being a franchisor that “does what it says it will do,” earning confidence through execution – not promises.
He went on to share exciting numbers from 2025, including:
- ASP ended 2025 with 141 locations, with 620 vehicles on the road throughout 25 states
- Systemwide Sales saw 10% growth from 2024
- ASP services’ revenue growth year-over-year includes a:
- 5% increase in Maintenance
- 5% increase in Service/Repair
- 15% increase in Renovation/Construction
When Executive Vice President and ASP Founder, Stewart Vernon, took the stage, he began with a powerful reflection. Six years prior, ASP held their owner conference at the same location, and he was speaking in the same room, just weeks before the pandemic reshaped every aspect of life, business, and the swimming pool industry. He recounted how COVID‑19 unexpectedly accelerated the industry’s growth as homeowners rediscovered and invested heavily in their backyards and pools.
During his keynote, Stewart challenged owners to approach 2026 with intentionality—understanding their numbers, focusing on profitability and cash flow, and actively engaging the power of their franchising partnership. He closed by emphasizing that those two core principles that shaped ASP should guide owners moving forward: Intentionality and Partnership — the forces that turn small steps into major successes.
In addition to brand leadership, the conference highlighted the role of consistency and trust in building strong local businesses. ASP Marketing Manager Meaghan Meece shared how disciplined execution of core marketing fundamentals — including brand alignment, timely lead response, and local visibility — supports sustainable growth and a strong reputation. Authority Brands CEO Jay Caiafa followed by reinforcing the importance of earning customer trust and delivering true value, a principle that continues to guide the ASP system.
Owners also had the opportunity to connect with 33 of ASP’s industry partners through a dedicated vendor showcase, allowing for direct conversations, shared insights, and exploration of resources that support day-to-day operations and customer experience.
Owners also enjoyed a Q&A panel about pool construction, where fellow franchise owners answered questions in real time about the success of pool construction in their respective franchises.
The final day of the conference was all about the breakout sessions. ASP owners had the opportunity to sit in ten different breakouts to learn from subject‑matter experts and fellow franchisees on a range of business topics, including industry technology, digital marketing, pool construction and renovations, team culture, sales strategies, and much more.
The event concluded with a celebratory evening that recognized the collective accomplishments of the ASP community and strengthened the relationships that drive the brand forward. Congratulations to the following:
- Franchise of the Year: Justin and Kimberly Retzlaff - Tucson Northeast, AZ
- Vendor of the Year: Fluidra
- The Best New Start Award: Nick Carver - Murfreesboro, TN
- Top Sales Award: John Hutchinson - Nashville, TN
- The Transformation Award: Brock London - Broken Arrow, OK
- The ASP Brand Ambassador Award: Dave Boddington - Troy, MI
- Brand Champion Award: Travis Larson - South Shore & South Tampa, FL
- The Trident Award: John Portland - South Raleigh, NC
- Employee of the Year Award: Phillip King, Service Manager - Reno, NV
- The ASP Bean Counter of the Year: Lawrence Rountree - Aiken, SC
- Top Performing ASP Maintenance Franchise: Scott Brighty - Galveston County, TX
- Top Performing ASP Service Franchise: Clint Rowley - Mesa, AZ
- Top Performing ASP Construction Franchise: John Hutchinson - Nashville, TN
- Top Performing ASP Renovation Franchise: Justin & Kimberly Retzlaff - Tucson Northeast, AZ
- The Battle of the States: Nevada
- Multi – Unit Award: Nick Carver – PCB and Murfreesboro, TN
More than an annual meeting, the Built to Grow Conference continues to demonstrate what it means to be part of a supportive, forward‑thinking franchise system with ASP.
These gatherings not only empower owners with fresh insights and actionable tools but also strengthen a sense of community that drives everyone toward greater success. As attendees return to their businesses, the relationships and knowledge gained ensure ongoing growth and a thriving network of pool professionals.
Follow the links below to learn more about America’s Swimming Pool Company:
