Hayward Pools – Best of Show
Custom Interactive Design Makes A Big Splash!
For making attendees feel like they were diving into a world of luxurious pool and spa features, the Hayward exhibit won the Best of Show award at the 2024 Pool and Spa Expo in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
For nearly 100 years, Hayward has built industry-leading equipment, filters, and pumps. Today they are at the forefront of innovation for pool and outdoor living technology and internet-connected homes. For pool owners who want to create the perfect backyard environment, reduce operating and maintenance costs, or harness the power and convenience of wireless controls, Hayward makes the equipment and technology that will help them do it.
The new 50’-by-80’ exhibit was designed by the Holt Experiential team to leave obscurity in its wake. “Our goal was to have a booth where customers can see our products functioning in real life,” said Eliana Mundul, senior event manager at Hayward. “The goal has always been to allow pool builders and service providers to be able to interact with the products.”
The epic exhibit has multiple areas where customers can interact with the products and Hayward representatives. The branded feature tower has an electronic demonstration screen where customers can experience orchestrating their backyard using the Omni Logic pool controls lighting and water features controlled by Alexa.
Hayward products are distributed throughout the exhibit with the feel of a natural and inviting flow for exploration and interaction. People can touch the products, interact with multiple touch screens and tablets, and view product videos at every station.
“Fantastic interaction, that is the thing that we are most excited about, just how interactive the individual displays are,” stated Aaron Martin, senior director of marketing at Hayward. “The flow of the overall booth is very cohesive as well.”
There is also an expansive and luxurious conference room fully equipped with audio visual tools for business meetings with builders and dealers.
Hayward also incorporated food and beverage servings to celebrate the event and draw expo attendees to spend even more time in the exhibit.
The Holt Experiential team fabricated and assembled the booth in their expansive facility to place and wire Hayward products into the interactive displays. Hayward product managers and the marketing team went over every aspect of the exhibit prior to packaging and shipping to deliver a worry-free build-in at the Expo.
“My director of marketing, Aaron, really listened when I said, we need to start from scratch, we need someone who really understands what we are trying to project on this booth,” stated Ms. Mundul. “Holt has a great team who really cares about the final product. It really did become a reality, because it was just a vision, a dream.”
