Swim School Owners, Aquatic Professionals and SwimSchoolers gathered on the Gold Coast for three days of practical professional development, new ideas and valuable learn to swim business connections.
The Australian Swim Schools Association (ASSA0 hosted the aquatics conference in collaboration with Aquatics & Recreation Queensland (ARQ) at QT Gold Coast from 25 to 27 August 2026.
SPARK combined a dedicated SwimSchooler program with shared plenaries and opportunities to meet facility leaders, councils, suppliers and other aquatic professionals.
A 3-day program for all SwimSchoolers.
The program addressed the chalenges affecting swim schools, their teams and the families they serve. Sessions covered leadership, workforce expectations, team culture, customer relationships, community programs, technology and business performance.
Shared plenaries introduced broader perspectives on leadership, service, changing communities and the future of work. Matt Church, Mark McCrindle, Elaine Jobson and Kristina Karlsson were among the speakers regularly identified by delegates as valuable contributors.
What Delegates Told Us
| Result | Feedback Measure |
|---|---|
92% | rated SPARK as good or excellent |
95% | said they had enough opportunities to connect with others |
93% | reported making valuable new connections |
94% | said the balance between learning, networking and discussion was right |
The survey results are based on responses collected after the conference.
“SPARK gave SwimSchoolers dedicated time to discuss their teams, programs and businesses with people who understand their work.”
“Delegates shared practical ideas, spoke honestly about the challenges they face and learned from swim schools operating in different communities and business environments.”
“The shared plenaries connected SwimSchoolers with facility leaders, councils, suppliers and outside speakers. People returned home with ideas to test, contacts to follow up and renewed confidence in their work.”
— Luke Daly, CEO, Australian Swim Schools Association
Ideas Delegates Can Use
Delegate feedback highlighted leadership, workforce culture and customer relationships as recurring areas of interest.
Several respondents planned to introduce clearer expectation-setting and mentoring practices with their teams. Others identified opportunities to strengthen relationships with families, improve customer experiences and expand community programs.
Respondents described meeting operators from across Australia and New Zealand, comparing different swim school models and discussing practical approaches they could adapt in their own organisations.
“The ASSA SPARK Conference was an inspiring experience filled with valuable learning, fresh ideas and meaningful connections with others in the swim-school community.”
“The Awards Dinner was a wonderful way to finish the event—celebrating our industry, recognising everyone’s hard work and marking ASSA’s incredible 10-year anniversary.”
— Amanda Blake, All Coast Swim Stars
The SPARK Experience
The conference experience included swim school and facility tours, the trade exhibition, the Vorgee Welcome Drinks, the ASSA Awards of Excellence and informal discussions throughout the three-day program.
Delegates valued meeting suppliers, learning about new products and services, and speaking with businesses that support swim schools and aquatic facilities.
Feedback described the SwimSchooler community as open, collaborative and willing to share knowledge. One respondent wrote that the “SwimSchooler industry is a team, not competitors,” while others spoke about new mentoring relationships and invitations to visit fellow operators’ facilities.
SPARK 2026 gave SwimSchoolers practical professional development and direct access to peers from across aquatics. The relationships developed at the conference will support further discussion and collaboration throughout the year.
SPARK 2026 Photo Galleries
Photographs from SPARK 2026 are available through the Australian Swim Schools Association photo galleries.
The SPARK 2026 Presenting Partners
The Australian Swim Schools Association (ASSA) is the national body representing swim schools across Australia and New Zealand. Through professional development, industry events and its BOSS (Business of Swim Schools) community, ASSA backs the SwimSchoolers who run, manage and teach in the nation’s swim schools. It champions an industry that teaches people to swim and saves lives.
Aquatics and Recreation Queensland (ARQ) seeks to endorse the policies and procedures of our industry’s governing bodies and support our members in understanding and implementing them.
ARQ encourages collaboration amongst its members by connecting them through events and advocating for initiatives that raise the standards and performance of our industry.
