It's a staple of most large events held at resorts—how it got that way is quite a tale

Everybody loves a pool party. But why? The modern American swimming pool has a lineage that, according to a historical study, extends back to the Greco-Roman Era and ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley. However, its functional roots in the United States are tied directly to the public health movement of the mid-19th century. Research by Robert Pick for the Graduate School of Cornell University reveals that early American municipal pools, often called "bathing pools" or "plunge baths," were a Victorian-era response to the unsanitary conditions of urban life, intended to promote cleanliness and curb the spread of diseases.

Everybody In The Pool

The pool's function began to shift in the 1920s from a place for cleansing to a place for social leisure and community, a transformation that occurred as hundreds of gender-integrated pools were developed.

During the Great Depression, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) catalyzed the pool's evolution into a civic and social monument, according to one source, by building 11 new outdoor pools across New York City in 1936. These massive facilities provided millions of New Yorkers a much-needed distraction from the hardships of the era. The WPA pools were also examples of state-of-the-art engineering and design. As research by the New York City Parks Department on the projects by architects Aymar Embury II and landscape architect Gilmore D. Clarke shows, the complexes were not only functional but also architecturally significant, with features that could be adapted for off-season uses like roller skating and dance halls.

Troubled Waters

While the pool evolved to serve a broader recreational purpose, it also became a focal point for the deep-seated social divisions of American society. According to the book Contested Waters: A Social History of Swimming Pools in America, class distinctions defined swimming culture, with the wealthy frequenting private pools and beaches for socializing, while the middle class swam for exercise, and the urban poor used public pools for bathing. Racial issues also emerged, making municipal pools a "battleground" for civil rights as the African American community began to demand equal access.

The failure to achieve social harmony in public aquatic spaces led directly to a powerful societal flight toward private, controlled environments. The research shows that a significant increase in the construction of private pools and clubs in the suburbs after the 1950s was a direct consequence of this social conflict, as people sought greater control over who they swam with. This pivot to private leisure laid the fundamental foundation for the pool's later symbolic use for private parties, which is a key precursor to corporate events.

California Dreamin'

The suburban aquatic trend was heavily influenced by the "California lifestyle," which was promoted through glossy home magazines and Hollywood's golden age. The ranch house, with its open floor plans and sliding glass doors, was considered the quintessential dream home, designed to seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living. This design philosophy, according to authors Annie Kelly and Tim Street-Porter of the book, Splash: The Art of the Swimming Pool, created a natural demand for pools that were not just add-ons but integrated architectural elements.

The pool's new function as a setting for casual, private gatherings established it as a symbol of entertainment and leisure. This cultural acceptance of the pool as a place to "recreate" and "entertain" is a necessary foundation for its later use by corporations for similar, albeit professional, purposes. The resort and hospitality industry would soon recognize and capitalize on this cultural memory.

Amenity #1

Starting in the mid-20th century, hotels and resorts began to integrate entertainment and leisure amenities to become destinations in themselves, not just places for lodging. The pool, in particular, was central to this transformation. The glamour associated with Hollywood's golden age was strategically leveraged by landmark resorts to create a unique and aspirational atmosphere, according to research by Dave Weinstein published by the Eichler Network on famous pools owned by Hollywood elites.

A prime example is the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, which opened in 1954. The resort was designed to attract "affluent and high-profile guests" and featured lavish amenities, including a cat-shaped pool. The hotel quickly became a "Hollywood Hotspot," with research showing it hosted celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, and Judy Garland. Its iconic appearances in films like Goldfinger further cemented its legendary status for glamour, which was a powerful draw for business.

Similarly, the International Hotel (now the Westgate) in Las Vegas, opened in 1969, was a bold venture located "away from the Strip" but strategically placed next to the Las Vegas Convention Center, a choice a company founder said was "natural." Research on the hotel's history, which is documented on its Wikipedia page, reveals it leveraged celebrity entertainment, most notably Elvis Presley's record-breaking seven-year residency, to become a massive success. This model of pairing business access with high-profile entertainment created a powerful hybrid that drew both leisure travelers and corporate clients.

FURTHER READING: TEN RESORT POOLS PERFECT FOR MEMORABLE RECEPTIONS

The Corporate Connection

The resort pool's transformation into a corporate venue is fundamentally a story of branding and association. First, the pool was established as a place of private leisure and spectacle through the "California lifestyle," which was promoted by glossy magazines. Then, the resort industry professionalized this image. By inviting celebrities and hosting film shoots, hotels, like the Fontainebleau, created an atmosphere of glamour and prestige that attracted affluent guests and dignitaries. This brand cachet was not just for public consumption; it became a marketable asset to businesses. Companies seeking to impress clients or motivate employees could now "buy into" this glamorous lifestyle by holding their events at the very same locations where movie stars mingled, effectively co-opting the symbol of leisure.

The modern poolside reception is not an accidental choice for event planners; it is a deliberate corporate strategy to foster a specific type of professional interaction. It is not just a party, but a carefully orchestrated networking mixer or team-building exercise. The poolside setting provides a "casual setting" for professionals to "network, catch up with old friends and get to know the staff". This environment deliberately contrasts with the formal, often rigid, atmosphere of a meeting room, aiming to break down corporate hierarchies and spark creativity and collaboration.

Modern resorts and meeting venues explicitly market their poolside spaces for "mingling," "small meetings," and creating "unforgettable moments" for corporate groups. Resorts offer customizable poolside events and corporate retreats with stunning water views and full audiovisual support. The development of covered pool decks further ensures that events can be hosted "rain or shine," making the venue a reliable, year-round option for business functions.

This strategic use of the pool deck is the culmination of all prior historical threads. The pool's function as a recreational and social space is deliberately applied to a professional context. The pool is not just a venue; it is a psychological tool. By moving attendees from a formal meeting room to a relaxed poolside environment, organizations are strategically altering social dynamics. This shift encourages informal conversations, strengthens relationships, and, ultimately, makes the business agenda more effective. The poolside reception is the perfect hybrid, leveraging the cultural memory of the pool party to achieve corporate goals.

Any thoughts, opinions, or news? Please share them with me at vince@meetingsevents.com.

Illustration by OpenAI’s DALL·E