The international trade fair Piscina Barcelona is entering a new leadership phase ahead of its 2027 edition. The Board of Directors of Fira de Barcelona has appointed Carlos Franquesa Castrillo as President of the Organising Committee for Piscina Barcelona 2027. Franquesa is currently President for Southern Europe, Australia and New Zealand at the pool and wellness company Fluidra.
He succeeds Eloi Planes, Executive Chairman of Fluidra, who has led the event since 2011 across seven editions and will now take on the role of Chairman Emeritus. The next edition of Piscina Barcelona will take place from 15 to 18 November 2027 at the Gran Via venue in Barcelona.
Franquesa brings extensive industry experience to the role, with nearly two decades at Fluidra, where he has held senior positions in industrial, commercial and international management. He currently oversees the company’s operations in several strategic markets across Southern Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Before joining Fluidra in 2007, Franquesa began his career at Square D (now part of the Schneider Group) and later held management positions within the Cirsa Group. He holds a degree in Business Administration and Management from ESADE Business School in Barcelona.
In his new role, Franquesa will focus on continuity and further development of the trade fair, aiming to strengthen its international profile and adapt its offering to evolving industry demands. His mandate includes expanding the fair’s scope, particularly in areas linked to swimming pools, wellness, and outdoor living sectors.
“I am taking on the challenge of continuing to promote a trade fair that keeps pace with the evolution of the pool industry, expanding its offering and reinforcing its role as an international meeting point for companies and professionals.”
Carlos Franquesa Castrillo
The 2025 edition of Piscina Barcelona reinforced its position as one of the leading global events in the sector, bringing together 428 exhibiting companies from 30 countries and attracting more than 17,000 professionals. This strong international participation highlights the fair’s role as a key platform for the global swimming pool, wellness and outdoor living industries.
Strong links with European and Latin American markets, as well as growing relevance in strategic regions such as the Middle East, continue to drive international participation. Spain itself—one of the world’s largest swimming pool markets by number of installations—remains a key anchor for the event.
Under Franquesa’s leadership, and with the support of the Organising Committee, the industry association ASOFAP and other sector organisations, preparations for the 2027 edition are already underway, with a clear focus on strengthening Piscina Barcelona’s position as a global industry hub.
