Awards
MPG Story of Success: Custom Pool Systems Redefines Luxury Design With This Award-Winning Project
Once a year the Master Pools Guild holds its Excellence Awards contest during which members from across the globe submit their completed projects. There is a feeling of unity and pride in the process as entries are judged by volunteer MPG members and scored on a scale from zero to a hundred (or over in special cases). Additional points for “truly exceptional work” are an option. The entry with the highest score is named the Grand International Excellence award winner of which there is only one.
For 2024, 38 of the Guild’s 104 member companies were recognized with award-winning entries. The 2024 sponsor for the contest was Pentair Pool.
Custom Pool Systems, headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida submitted the highest-scoring project, a stunning geometric vanishing edge pool. At the helm of Custom Pool Systems sit Cesar Cortez and Jeremy Guillen who were invited to join the Master Pools Guild early this year.

Shortly after winning, Cesar Cortez was quoted as saying: “Receiving this year’s top Excellence Award from the Master Pools Guild, particularly as newcomers in this prestigious circle, is incredibly meaningful to us. It represents recognition from those we most admire and look up to in our industry—our accomplished peers who understand the complexity and artistry of what we do. This honor not only celebrates our commitment to excellence but, also encourages us to uphold the high standards of innovation and quality that the Guild embodies.”
Cortez also elaborated on the process of building a pool and spa on the client’s roof, both additional elements of this expansive outdoor space:
“This project was extraordinary, not just in scope but in the complexities involved. Building the world’s largest terrazzo vanishing edge pool and spa, stretching an impressive 116 feet, posed unique technical challenges, particularly in ensuring structural integrity and flawless execution of the vanishing edge design. Additionally, the construction of another vanishing edge pool and spa on the roof, made from stainless steel and tile, required meticulous planning and execution to handle the engineering demands of supporting significant weight at such a height. The completion of this project over five years is a proud milestone for CPS Outdoors, showcasing our ability to overcome challenging engineering feats and reflecting our deep commitment to craftsmanship and client satisfaction”.
MPG’s newly seated Chairman of the Board, Joshua Buzzell, leads an initiative for MPG to add to the membership at levels much higher than in past years. Buzzell commented on the Custom Pool Systems win “Custom Pools Systems are one of my favorite builders in the world. Their attention to detail and the complexity of some of their projects is fun to see come together. Jeremy & Cesar are stand-up guys and are really making a big impact in the watershape world. The Master Pools Guild is so happy to have them as a part of our amazing family of builders.”

Teri Wiltshire, MPG Executive Director shared “There are so many aspects of this project that I think are amazing but, to me, it comes down to this – integrating a home with it’s outdoor space to meet or exceed the client’s expectations is always the goal. CPS Outdoors created a seamless indoor/outdoor living environment that includes luxury resort amenities in a multi-level project. Five years is a massive investment of time and talent, but this is certainly a company willing to play the long game and we are proud to have them as members.”
To learn more about the Master Pools Guild or Custom Pool Systems, visit www.masterpoolsguild.com or www.custompoolsystems.com
Awards
ISHOF Honors ECAS As Champions Of Water Safety
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (September 17, 2025) — On Saturday, September 13, 2025, the Every Child a Swimmer team was honored to be part of the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s 2025 Aquatic & Specialty Awards and 2024 Masters Induction Ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
The evening was both inspiring and humbling—celebrating athletes and leaders whose lives were forever shaped by the water. As Casey McGovern, Executive Director of Every Child a Swimmer (ECAS), shared:
“If these honorees had never learned to swim, they would not have excelled in their specific area. That is why the work we’re doing with Every Child a Swimmer is so important.”
Two incredible champions of water safety were recognized for their impact:
Barry Goldwater, Jr. received the Judge G. Harold Martin Every Child a Swimmer Award for his leadership in helping pass ECAS legislation in Arizona—an essential step in ensuring every child has access to life-saving swim lessons.
Lisa Zarda, Executive Director of the United States Swim School Association, received the 2025 International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) Aquatic Award for Water Safety for her dedication to expanding swim education nationwide.
ECAS is deeply grateful to ISHOF for shining a spotlight on water safety and to all their partners, sponsors, and advocates who make their mission possible. Together, we are creating a future where every child has the opportunity to be a swimmer.
And the momentum is growing: New York and California have now adopted the ECAS legislation—awaiting only the governors’ signatures to become law. This brings ECAS one step closer to their goal of nationwide adoption.
Questions, please contact Casey McGovern at [email protected] or by calling (954) 275-9035.
Awards
Pentair Pool Announces Annual Pool Pro Awards
Now in its second year, the Pentair Pool Pro Awards Recognize the Best of the Best in the Pool Industry
[LONDON, August 18, 2025] — Pentair Pool, a leading global provider of safer, smart, and sustainable pool solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of the 2025 Pentair Pool Pro Awards. This annual event, now in its second year, celebrates pool industry professionals who work to keep pools swim-ready in their communities. Appropriately, this year’s theme recognizes backyard legends.The Awards will recognize and honor seven dedicated pool professionals who exemplify a deep commitment to the pool industry, possess extensive product knowledge, prioritize their customers and safety, and demonstrate outstanding leadership. This year’s Pool Pro Award categories are:
• Premiere Pool Pro (Two winners)
• Lifetime Achievement (Two winners)
• Unsung Hero
• Advancing Automation
• Safety Advocate
“At Pentair Pool, we believe excellence begins with innovation and extends to the people who bring that to life every day in backyards, neighborhoods, and communities across the country,” Greg
Claffey, President and Chief Revenue Officer, Pentair Pool. “The Pool Pro Awards celebrate the backyard heroes who go above and beyond to help create safe, smart, and unforgettable pool experiences. We’re proud to honor this year’s exceptional professionals whose passion and expertise elevate the industry and inspire us all. ”
Nominations for the Pentair Pool Pro Awards open on Sept. 2, 2025. Pool professionals are invited to nominate themselves or peers who have provided standout service and made significant contributions to the pool industry.
Voting will take place in October and will give the community the opportunity to select the most deserving professionals from the list of nominees. Winners will be announced in January 2026 and honored during a private awards ceremony at the Pool and Spa Show in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Jan. 26, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
For more information on the Pentair Pool Pro Awards, including nomination guidelines and voting details, please visit www.pentair.com/pool-pro-awards.
About Pentair Pool
At Pentair, we help the world safely and sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. From our residential and business solutions to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is focused on smart, sustainable water solutions that help our planet and people thrive.
As an industry leader in the pool and spa space, Pentair Pool is driven to help people sustainably enjoy water. Our solutions include industry-leading pumps, automation, lighting, heating, and filtration technology that help our customers enjoy a smarter and more sustainable pool. Customer success is at the heart of our vision for bringing family and friends together in the pool and on the deck to build social connections, create lifelong memories, and help promote fitness and enjoyment. For more information, visit www.pentair.com/poolandspa.
Awards
Tile of Spain Opens 2025 Awards Call for Entries
Review Entry Guidelines and Meet the XXIV Edition Jury
Miami, FL August 2025 – The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association (ASCER) has officially opened the call for entries for the 24th edition of the Tile of Spain Awards in Architecture and Interior Design. The prestigious annual competition celebrates projects that demonstrate exceptional design, technical expertise, and creativity through the use of Spanish ceramic tile.
Showcasing design ingenuity and a deep respect for materiality, the Tile of Spain Awards recognize projects that push the boundaries of what ceramic tile can achieve. From artistic expression and architectural clarity to innovative applications and expert installation, the awards spotlight the power and versatility of Spanish ceramics in both interior and exterior spaces. With the 2025 edition now accepting submissions, ASCER invites architects, interior designers, installers, students, and other industry professionals to share their completed work for consideration in this internationally respected program.
The jury for this year’s edition will be chaired by acclaimed architect Julio Touza Rodríguez of Touza Arquitectos. Joining him are leading voices in architecture and interior design, including Carmen Baselga of Carmen Baselga_Taller de Proyectos, Antonio Jesús Luna of Room Diseño, and Susana Babiloni of the Colegio Territorial Arquitectos Castellón. Together, the panel will evaluate entries based on design quality, innovation, and the thoughtful integration of Spanish ceramic tile.
Entries must be submitted under one of two main categories, Architecture or Interior Design, with each further divided into two subcategories: projects using dry-pressed porcelain stoneware and projects using any of the following ceramic types: extruded porcelain stoneware, rustic stoneware, glazed stoneware, wall tiles, mosaic, terracotta, and more. A grand prize of €8,000 (approximately $8,700) will be awarded in each subcategory. In addition, the jury reserves the right to award up to two special mentions in each category to acknowledge outstanding achievements.
Project submissions are being accepted now through Monday, October 20, 2025. Winners will be announced in September 2026 during Cevisama Contract, one of Spain’s leading trade fairs for ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings. For complete entry guidelines, project submissions, or more information about the Tile of Spain Awards, visit tileofspainawards.com/current-edition.
About the Awards
The objective of the Tile of Spain Awards is to promote the use of Spanish ceramic tiles in architecture and interior design projects (both in Spain and abroad). The program boasts a consolidated trajectory and is held in high esteem by architecture professionals.
The Tile of Spain Awards offers cash prizes totaling €32,000 that are divided among four areas. The two main categories –Architecture and Interior Design – each have a cash prize of over €16,000. In all categories, entries are welcome from both Spanish and international participants.
The award ceremony will be held in Valencia, Spain during Cevisama Contract 2026. Full details of this and previous editions of the awards are available at www.tileofspainawards.com.
About Tile of Spain
In Spain, tile makers labor as they have for centuries – pushing their passion for design and innovation to new levels of artisanship. With one of the purest and strongest domestic clays available, Spanish manufacturers have an unparalleled ability to make the end product more diverse. From rustic handmade forms; to technical facades that cool buildings and clean the air; to the impossibly slim, sustainable recycled and inkjet masterpieces that fire the imagination. The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association (ASCER), together with España Exportacióne Inversiones (ICEX) are the organizations whose objective is to support Spain’s ceramic tile manufacturers and the industry as a whole by stewarding and promoting the Tile of Spain brand worldwide. A strong global leader, the Spanish ceramic tile sector is comprised of more than 100 manufacturers concentrated primarily in the province of Castellón.
For more about tile produced in Spain, contact the Tile of Spain Center at the Trade Commission of Spain, 2655 Le Jeune Road, Suite 1114, Coral Gables, FL 33134. Call 305-446-4387 or visit tileofspainusa.com.
-
Pool News2 weeks agoBlue Wave Recall on Over 13,000 Above Ground Pools
-
Industry News4 weeks agoLatham Group Appoints Sean Gadd as Chief Executive Officer
-
News3 weeks agoBuilt on Relationships: Pentair Pool’s New Sales Structure and the People Who Make It Work
-
Pool Service News4 weeks agoEaston Select Group Adds Harrison Pool & Spa, Expanding Service Across MetroWest Boston
-
Press Releases4 weeks agoFSPA Wins Big at Florida Building Commission
-
News4 weeks agoAquadei Technologies Announces Strategic Alliance with the Master Pool Guild
-
Features4 weeks agoAdopting Engineered, Reliable Pool Waterproofing Innovations — Why North America pool builders are shifting toward PVC membranes
-
Manufacturer4 weeks agoRicoRock® Offers New Temple Stone Firepit























