DEMA PARTNERS WITH THE EXPO GROUP TO HELP EXHIBITORS & ATTENDEES SUCCEED AT DEMA SHOW!

DEMA is excited to announce a new partnership for DEMA Show 2013 that will bring new opportunities for success to DEMA Show Exhibitors and Attendees.The Expo Group will serve as DEMA Show 2013’s General Service Contractor and DEMA expects their passion, professionalism and personalized service to be highly influential in creating a positive and productive Show experience for all participants.

Founded in 1991, The Expo Group has provided high-end products and personalized service to show organizers, exhibitors and attendees for over 22 years. Their dedication to quality service within the convention industry has helped them to receive numerous industry awards including being named an Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Company and receiving the Dallas 100 Award, Christian Business Leadership Award, EXPO Magazine Supplier of the Year Award and Texas Family Business of the Year® Award. The Expo Group has a long history of working with both the convention facilities for DEMA Show 2013 (Orange County Convention Center) and DEMA Show 2014 (Las Vegas Convention Center).

The Expo Group's service model will make exhibiting at DEMA Show even easier! As a Single Source® general contractor, The Expo Group will provide exciting new experiences for exhibitions and events, all with a personal touch. An entire array of services Exhibitors need for their booths can be ordered online through The Expo Group's website or via the Exhibitor's personal account manager, saving time and hence, money.

“A fascinating experience is at hand for the diving community and especially DEMA Show Exhibitors,” said The Expo Group National Sales Manager, Ryan Nettleton. “We are excited about this new partnership with DEMA and look forward to helping the entire diving industry perform at a higher level.”

The DEMA Show exhibit floor will be even more dynamic than before, offering multiple interaction areas for Attendees and vendors as well as showcasing the initiatives in which DEMA Members believe so strongly.

“The Expo Group is going to help DEMA bring new elements to the Show that will increase the value of the overall DEMA Show experience for Exhibitors and Attendees,” said Nicole Russell, DEMA Managing Director. These items include the new interactive Link Up booth, a robust mobile application and much more! Details will be released in the upcoming months through DEMAIL and DEMA’s Exhibitor Companion and will also be posted online on the DEMA Show website. Be sure to become a 2013 DEMA Member today to save on exclusive Exhibitor services and Attendee and Exhibitor registration. These sites will launch soon, so be prepared!

DEMA Board of Directors to Meet in San Diego, CA for Quarterly Board Meeting on June 5th and 6th

DEMA’s Board of Directors will meet on June 5^th and 6^th to continue to exchange ideas about how DEMA can increase the value proposition for its Members and the Diving Industry. Some of the topics slated for discussion include updates on the 2013 Membership Benefits, Legislative Projects, DEMA Show 2013, Public Relations Promotions, the Be A Diver Pool Tour and Committee Reports.

 

The first day of the Board Meeting will begin with reviewing the consent agenda. Once this is completed Tom Ingram, Executive Director, will brief the Board Members on the status of the 2013 Be A Diver Pool Tour. The remainder of the first day’s Meeting will be dedicated to Program and Committee Meetings, during which Board Members will further discuss strategies to enhance current programs and benefits, clarify or resolve pending issues and review feedback from Industry stakeholders. The Meeting will conclude with presentations by the Committee Chairs to the Board Members on the results of their discussions. Additional Committee information is available online.

 

Day two of the Board of Directors Meeting will address ongoing business topics as well as a review of the Youth Program Proposal. The Meeting will conclude with a discussion of new business including; the Public Relations Plan and the 2020 Vision Sessions. Subjects such as the Diving For Texas Treasure Challenge, Shark Finning PR Campaign and DiveCaching opportunities affiliated with other local diving events will also be covered.

 

Industry professionals are encouraged to communicate with their DEMA Board stakeholder representative as well as provide feedback to the Board and staff regarding industry programs and new ideas. Just following this quarter’s Board Meeting, DEMA will host a 2020 Vision Brainstorming session to provide a forum for professionals to share ideas! Join facilitator and DEMA Executive Director Tom Ingram at 2020 Vision at Scuba Show on Sunday, June 9^th from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in Seaside Room 4A. Those interested in attending are asked to please register in advance.

 

More information on DEMA’s Board of Directors and Bylaws is available on the DEMA website. Complete minutes from past Board of Directors Meetings are available to current DEMA Members from the Member Dashboard of www.dema.org. The next DEMA Board Meeting is currently scheduled for August 14 & 15, 2013. 

DEMA Requests Your Input and Engagement at 2020 Vision Session in Conjunction with Scuba Show 2013 on Sunday, June 9th at 8:00 A.M.

Input Helps Improve the Diving Industry

 

You are invited to join Tom Ingram, Executive Director of DEMA, for a brainstorming session at Scuba Show in Long Beach, CA on June 9^th. It is an opportunity for you to provide input on the direction of the Diving Industry over the next few years. DEMA has already implemented many of the ideas generated in similar brainstorming sessions throughout 2011 and 2012, including:

• Access to health insurance for DEMA Members, including business owners and their employees.
• Access to Worker’s Compensation Insurance for DEMA Members.
• Increased use of social media as well as examples of how social media can be beneficial to diving businesses, including the use of a DEMA Blog and increased interaction with the professional and recreational diving community on Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.
• Implementation of programs to reach a younger audience and bring them into diving.
• Creation and promotion of programs which encourage “local diving” to keep divers more active year-round.

All of these ideas came directly from previous 2020 Vision Sessions and members of the Industry just like YOU!

 

DEMA’s Board of Directors is looking for your ideas to help you take control of your business. Please plan to attend this important brainstorming session at Scuba Show! DEMA encourages all Industry Professionals to register in advance and join us on Sunday, June 9th from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. to continue the discussion.

• When? Sunday, June 9th, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• Where? Scuba Show, Long Beach, Seaside Room 4A 
• Who? All Dive Industry Professionals are welcome

If you have any questions please contact DEMA at (858) 616-6408 or 2020@dema.org. DEMA extends its appreciation to Beneath the Sea for co-sponsoring this session.

DEMA Launches Diving For Texas Treasure Challenge

Challenge Provides Texas Dive Retailers with an Opportunity to Drive Business Using Local Diving and DiveCaching

 

In tandem with Dive Around Texas, DEMA has announced a local diving promotion using DiveCaching (underwater geocaching) to keep divers active and having fun. The “Diving for Texas Treasure Challenge” is a Texas-based in-water game for divers and is designed to help support fun and easy local diving while providing retail businesses with a fun and competitive diving promotion using DiveCaching.

 

 “The Diving for Texas Treasure Challenge is a new program we will test in the Texas market,” commented Tom Ingram, DEMA Executive Director. “It is designed to promote local diving by using a fun treasure hunt which requires diving, the use of technology and a few basic diving skills such as navigation. Any retail dive center in Texas can promote the program by displaying the free counter card they’ll receive from DEMA and sharing the short promotional video. To encourage local divers to participate in the Challenge, retailers located in Texas will receive a rack/counter card and holder from DEMA and are encouraged to promote the game to their customers both in the store and through their own marketing efforts.” 

 

The fun of the Challenge is for divers to find a series of five DiveCaches hidden underwater in five different locations throughout Texas. Divers participate by registering for the Challenge with their local retailer or using the online form found on DiveCaching.org. Divers can use the descriptions and clues posted on OpenCaching.com, the free OpenCaching app (or a GPS) and an underwater compass to find the DiveCaches and be eligible to win $1,000! 

 

DEMA is encouraging all local divers and retailers to  be involved in the 2013 “Dive Around Texas” game, and to use the Diving for Texas Treasure Challenge as part of Dive Around Texas. Any Texas retailer can participate and all will be receiving a kit from DEMA to help promote the Challenge to their current customers and can learn more by visiting www.DiveCaching.org and www.DiveAroundTexas.com. 

Keeping Divers Safe this Season: Dive Flag Awareness Public Service Announcement and Poster Available For DEMA Members and the Industry

DEMA and Divers Alert Network (DAN) Remind Boaters and Divers of Dive Flag Use



View & download the poster here.



As the 2013 boating season approaches, DEMA has created a new Dive Flag Awareness poster and is distributing a 30-second Public Service Announcement in an effort to increase diver safety by reminding boaters and divers of safety tips and proper dive flag etiquette. Dive Industry Professionals are encouraged to print and distribute the Dive Flag Awareness poster to local marinas and diving and boating enthusiasts as well as share them electronically with their online community. Both are part of DEMA’s ongoing campaign to encourage boaters to be more cautious when they see a dive flag and encourage divers to always use their divers-down flag.

The 30-second PSA was produced by DEMA in partnership with the Divers Alert Network (DAN), along with assistance from the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG). It was created to inform divers and boaters of the proper use of a dive flag to signal that divers are in the water and boaters should maintain distance and be cautious when in proximity to a dive flag. This season DEMA has also created a 15-second version of the PSA as well as a Dive Flag Awareness poster to help spread this important and life-saving message.

“Our goal in sharing this important message is to remind both divers and boaters that they often share the same waters and in order to ensure an enjoyable experience, all must adhere to necessary safety precautions,” commented Tom Ingram, Executive Director of DEMA. “By increasing the awareness of the divers-down flag we hope to keep diving and the waterways safe for everyone this summer.”

In addition to being made available to the Industry for download and sharing, the poster and PSA’s will be promoted as a social media campaign via DEMA, Be A Diver and DiveCaching Twitter & Facebook pages for the remainder of the summer, as well as on social media sites of affiliated organizations. The Dive Flag Awareness poster is now available to viewed, shared and downloaded. Both versions of the PSA can be viewed and shared via the Be A Diver YouTube channel. All divers, boaters and Industry Professionals are encouraged to share the poster and PSA with their social media friends and followers, local diving community and local marinas to spread this important message.

DEMA Opens Official Hotel Block for DEMA Show 2013 in Orlando, FL

DEMA Show 2013 will be here before you know it and DEMA wants to help Dive Industry professionals keep their planning efforts on track for this year’s annual trade-only event for the Diving Industry.  Start your planning for the Show, taking place November 6-9 in Orlando, FL, by booking your room reservation in the DEMA Show Hotel Block, featuring exclusive exhibitor and attendee rates and benefits.
 

Once again, DEMA Show will feature the Rosen Centre Hotel as this year’s Host Hotel.  The Rosen Centre is conveniently located directly across from the South Hall of the Orange County Convention Center – home to DEMA Show 2013.  Those booking in DEMA’s block at the Rosen Centre will receive complimentary internet, complimentary access to the Fitness Center, free parking and special hotel restaurant discounts all at the special DEMA Show rate of $165 per night* (weekday and weekend).  For those looking to benefit from even bigger savings, specially-priced DEMA hotel block rooms will also be offered at the Hilton Orlando for $159/night*, the Days Inn for $89/night* and the Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando for $89/night* (*plus state and local taxes).

Complimentary shuttle bus service for those booking within the DEMA Show Hotel Block will be provided to and from the South Hall for those booking rooms at the Days Inn and Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando during Show dates.  Due to the close walking proximity to the South Hall, shuttle bus service is not necessary from the Rosen Centre nor the Hilton Orlando.

DEMA would like to caution attendees and exhibitors to be wary when booking accommodations through unauthorized third party vendors claiming to work with DEMA Show.  While these room “pirates” typically offer what appears to be a lower rate than the official block rate, room reservations may be offered at significantly lower quality and may not be available for the duration of your planned stay.  In addition, cancellation polices are often harsh and unforgiving. Booking within the official DEMA Hotel Block also allows DEMA to negotiate exclusive rates for DEMA Show attendees and exhibitors.  Help DEMA help the Industry by supporting the Industry’s annual trade-only Show and trade association – book within DEMA’s official hotel block.

New Underwater Simulation Game - Infinite Scuba – Available NOW

Cascade Game Foundry (CGF^®) launches Infinite Scuba™, the first product in their portfolio of next-generation simulation games. Infinite Scuba helps players of all ages experience the beauty, mystery and serenity of scuba diving in breathtakingly recreated dive sites from around the world.

 

“We are thrilled to collaborate with world authorities on scuba diving and environmentalism to create Infinite Scuba,” says Kathie Flood, Managing Director at CGF and a 17-year veteran of the video game industry. Partners include DEMA (The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association),  PADI^® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), Mission Blue (the Sylvia Earle Alliance) and 20 scuba equipment manufacturers, including SCUBAPRO, Body Glove, Oceanic and BARE. “Our partners,” says Flood, “helped us create an incredibly immersive experience, one that delivers the real adventure of scuba diving to our players.”

 

"DEMA is extremely excited to be part of the launch of Infinite Scuba," commented Tom Ingram, Executive Director of DEMA. "The game is a positive fit with DEMA's mission of promoting sustainable growth in recreational diving and activities such as DiveCaching. Having the diver search for DiveCaches while diving in Infinite Scuba will showcase the adventure and excitement of discovering 'real treasure' underwater."

 

In the initial release of the downloadable game, players explore a shipwreck in Chuuk Lagoon, the site of a pivotal World War II battle that is now a renowned South Pacific dive destination. In the years since that battle, the Chuuk shipwrecks have transformed into thriving reefs. Players search for fish and coral, as well as artifacts from the war, each of which unlocks a page of local history or dive science. Players exploring the wrecks can take photos to share with friends and earn dive certifications which unlock additional content. Players can also purchase and download new equipment, challenges, and dive sites from inside the game.

 

“As a featured gear manufacturer, we are very excited for the release of Infinite Scuba. It is very thorough and well thought-through, with excellent attention to details that will make a noticeable difference for real-life divers who play the game,” says Kate Booth, Marketing Manager for the Americas - Johnson Outdoors Diving LLC, which includes the SCUBAPRO^® and SUBGEAR^® brands.

 

“Scuba diving is an exciting, life-changing activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages,” says Kristin Valette, PADI Americas’ Vice President of Marketing and Communications. “The PADI organization’s goal is to help people learn to dive and appreciate the wonder of the underwater world. Through our partnership with Cascade Game Foundry, PADI and Infinite Scuba will introduce an even broader audience to the excitement of diving and encourage them to dive into the real thing.”

 

Cascade Game Foundry is hard at work creating additional dive sites and adventures for Infinite Scuba to be released in the second quarter 2013. The game is available now for Windows PC and MacOS. To download and play Infinite Scuba visit InfiniteScuba.com.

 

Copyright © 2013 Cascade Game Foundry