From 17 to 21 August 2026, SPLASH! brought together pool, spa and outdoor living professionals from Australia and New Zealand on the Gold Coast. With 140 exhibitors, more than 3,500 registered visitors and a record exhibition area, this latest edition confirmed the event's importance for the Australasian market.
Innovation, technical expertise and changing industry practices
Held at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, SPLASH! 2026 ran from 17 to 21 August, centred around the two-day trade exhibition on 19 and 20 August and a wider programme combining training, professional exchanges, networking and industry events. See photos from SPLASH! 2026
Organisers reported several records for this edition. The 140 exhibitors occupied all the venue's exhibition halls, covering a larger area than at any previous edition of the show. More than 3,500 industry professionals registered to discover the latest innovations and meet the suppliers in attendance.
Exhibition days at SPLASH! 2026
Beyond the new products showcased on the stands, SPLASH! once again placed strong emphasis on the issues transforming the industry: water treatment and chemistry, hydraulics, automation, energy efficiency, safety, regulations and changing consumer expectations.
The Master Classes held during the show addressed topics including water chemistry and diagnostics, system performance, hydraulics and automation, as well as business development and customer experience. A Master Pool Builders Forum, professional networking sessions and a session dedicated to pool and spa disinfection standards also formed part of the programme.
Innovation zone
The ambition to extend the event beyond the two exhibition days was also reflected in an industry-wide welcome evening ahead of the show and a golf day that brought the week to a close on 21 August.
Another highlight of SPLASH! 2026 was the SPASA Australasian Awards of Excellence, which brought together almost 500 guests at an evening event held on 19 August. The awards recognise outstanding projects, companies and professionals from the pool and spa industry across Australia and New Zealand.
Among this year's distinctions, Pentair Australia & New Zealand was named Supplier of the Year 2026, while Rob Sterland of Pentair Pool received the Professional of the Year 2026 award.
Pentair Australia & New Zealand was named Supplier of the Year 2026 at the SPASA Australasian Awards of Excellence
According to Kristin Brookfield, CEO of SPASA, the Awards were a genuine celebration of the talent and achievements within the industry.
For Anthony Grice, President of SPASA, the success of SPLASH! 2026 also reflects the industry's ability to continue investing despite a more challenging economic environment. He highlighted issues including labour shortages, rising operating costs, lower consumer confidence and changing customer expectations.
Against this backdrop, attendance at the show and the investment made by exhibitors in their stands and innovations demonstrate, in his view, the resilience of the sector and its determination to prepare for the seasons ahead.
SPLASH! will return to the Gold Coast in 2028.
