Record-breaking 2026 SPLASH! Trade Expo hailed a resounding success

The highly successful 2026 SPLASH! Trade Expo broke a number of records on Queensland's Gold Coast last week.

The biannual expo held on August 19 and 20 filled every hall of the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, taking up more floor space than any other swimming pool and spa trade expo held in this part of the world. There were more exhibitors – 140 in total – and the expo also drew more than 3500 registered visitors.

The latest industry innovations were on display, including a dedicated innovation showcase, and thousands of products were presented and discussed in detail on exhibitors’ stands. Attendees and exhibitors spoke glowingly of the event.

SPASA Chairman Anthony Grice says SPLASH! 2026 was outstanding.

“I’ve had fantastic feedback,” he says.

“In fact, we hit a record this year. We’ve taken out a record amount of floorspace at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, and of course we had a tremendous number of people through the front doors over the course of the two days.

“The industry can celebrate the terrific job the exhibitors have done in presenting their innovation to our broader industry.”

Visitors were particularly impressed by the quality of suppliers’ stands, the effort put into presenting their offerings, and the innovation on display.

Record gala event

Grice says that the SPASA Australasian Swimming Pool and Spa Awards Gala, held on the first night of the SPLASH! Expo, was also sensational, with hundreds of people attending the black tie event. He believes the number of people supporting the marquee gala is an excellent indication of the state of the industry.

“It was an exceptional night. We had almost 500 people celebrating the success of the industry and their peers, including our fantastic fiberglass pool manufacturers and installers, our concrete pool builders, our spa industry, our service industry, and our retailers.

“In fact, we had the full gamut celebrating their successes and the things that they do to make our industry so great. And the gala dinner was an absolute sellout.”

He says the industry support for the entire SPLASH! 2026 has been incredible.

“If you think of what we’ve endured as an Australian economy over the past six months, there have been a few headwinds. There’s been the economic headwinds, and of course, for our members, there have been challenges around labour shortages, increases in operating costs, the drop in consumer confidence, and changing consumer expectations."

Yet the support by exhibitors and the turnout by industry members was outstanding.

“I think what this show demonstrates is a sense of resilience from our members, from our manufacturers, and from our partners in really focusing on continuing to invest in their businesses, and to invest in the innovation that helps our industry thrive.

“And you don’t have to look further than just walking around the expo and looking at the innovation that is flourishing from our manufacturers – and that keeps us in pretty good stead for the season ahead and the seasons beyond that.

“I hope everyone enjoyed themselves on the Gold Coast, and we look forward to seeing our members back here in 2028.”

IMAGE: The SPLASH! show floor. Photography by Rix Ryan.