Cologne might be most often associated with the swimming pool industry, but one shouldn’t ignore Stuttgart. The city is no stranger to the sport and wellness sector. Check the credentials – 30 years of interbad speak volumes. In 2024, the international trade fair for swimming pools and leisure operated under the motto “Water is our element. Sustainability is our principle,” where climate-conscious solutions were placed front and center. Product innovations ranged from energy-efficient pool heating systems to water-saving filtration technologies, which charted how the sector pivots toward greener operations without compromising performance. A standout feature of this year’s event was the heightened willingness to invest. According to organiser data, 83% of trade visitors arrived with concrete purchasing intentions, and over a quarter of them were planning new builds or modernisations valued at more than €250,000. With 88 percent of visitors involved in procurement decisions, exhibitors were met with a highly qualified and motivated audience. Interbad’s reach also extended well beyond Germany, with 25 percent of visitors coming from abroad. Austria led the international attendance, followed by Switzerland, Finland, Czechia, and the Netherlands. In parallel with the trade fair, the 70th DGfdB Congress, the sector’s largest continuing education event, brought together 300 participants for high-level discussions on the future role of swimming pools in urban health, wellness, and sustainability. The congress examined how aquatic facilities can support broader societal goals, from energy transformation to mental health, and featured the first-ever “International Session” conducted in English to serve an increasingly global audience. The success of interbad 2024 signals a decisive moment for the swimming pool industry in Stuttgart and beyond. The event’s strong turnout, investment appetite, and forward-looking focus point to a sector that is not only rebounding but transforming.