Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Get Glammed Up and Ready to Celebrate at the 2017 DEMA Awards Party

The 29th annual presentation of the prestigious Reaching Out Awards will, once again, bring the Dive Industry together to honor the extraordinary careers of this year’s Reaching Out Award recipients, Al Hornsby and Doug McNeese. This year’s roaring 20’s-themed DEMA Awards Party will take place on November 3 at the Rosen Centre Hotel Executive Ballroom in Orlando, FL. Attendees are encouraged to join in the festivities by dressing in their best 1920’s inspired attire! Mark your calendar for this evening of entertainment and celebration!
First presented in 1989, the Reaching Out Award honors leaders in the diving community whose significant contributions to the sport have elevated the industry on all levels. Areas of contribution have included equipment design, exploration, photography, publishing, retailing, science, training, travel and water safety. This year’s recipients will be joining an extraordinary list of distinguished past Honorees.
Complete event details are available on the DEMA Show website and tickets can be purchased when you register. Large groups can reserve VIP tables of 10 by contacting Colleen Vasquez at cvasquez@dema.org or (858) 616-6408 x1006.  Unique sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Thursday, July 20, 2017

DEMA Submits Comments in Favor of National Marine Sanctuaries and Monuments

In late June, the current administration issued an Executive Order to review National Marine Sanctuaries and Monuments created or expanded within the last 10-years (EO 13795 and Federal Register dated June 26, 2017). DEMA appreciates the need to review the specified National Marine Sanctuaries and Monuments and hopes that such a review will result in a clearer understanding of the need for on-going scientific analysis of natural and cultural resources in these designated areas, as well as the need for utilizing the established administrative procedures for creating such a Sanctuary.  DEMA has submitted comments in favor of Marine Sanctuaries and their importance to the diving industry. 

Al Hornsby and Doug McNeese to Receive DEMA’s 2017 Reaching Out Award

* Honorees to be Recognized at the 2017 DEMA Awards Party ** 
The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association is pleased to announce that Al Hornsby and Doug McNeese are the 2017 recipients of DEMA’s Reaching Out Award.  The Dive Industry will party down Roaring 20’s style at the 29th annual presentation of the prestigious Reaching Out Awards on November 3, 2017, where the industry will celebrate at this year’s 1920’s-inspired evening in honor of these two outstanding members of the diving community. The newest inductees to DEMA’s Hall of Fame will be honored at this year’s DEMA Awards Party. First presented in 1989, DEMA’s Reaching Out Award honors leaders in the diving community whose significant contributions to the sport have elevated the industry on all levels. This year’s recipients will be joining an extraordinary list of distinguished past Honorees. 
AL HORNSBY began free diving in 1962 at the age of 12 when his family moved to Guam, becoming a certified scuba diver the following year. His early years as a professional saw him as a published author, photographer, instructor, and manufacturer marketing manager.  Al joined PADI in 1978, as Training Facility Director. 
In 35 years at PADI, Hornsby has served as Training Facility Director, Vice President of Education and Marketing, Executive Vice President, Vice President, Legal and Environmental Affairs, Senior Vice President, on PADI's Executive Committee and as a Board Member of PADI and Diving Science and Technology Corp (DSAT). Hornsby presently serves as Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs, PADI Worldwide. 
In 1989, Hornsby co-originated Project AWARE, serving as managing executive for its first nine years, and was involved in other environmental efforts and organizations. In the mid-1980’s, Hornsby initiated the industry standards committee forming the RSTC, and in the 1990's, was a member of the committee restructuring DEMA into an industry-wide organization.  Hornsby served on DEMA’s BOD for many years, and was President for six years. 
Al has authored and co-authored four books, including his most recent, Face to Face: Up Close with Mother Nature, published in 2016. 
DOUG MCNEESE began his career in the diving industry in 1968 at the age of 16 when he began working at The Dive Shop founded by his parents. By 1982, McNeese had purchased the store from his parents. Two passions, training and retail, led him to expand to four Southeastern US locations, all with indoor pools. 
In 1993, after 25 years in dive retail, McNeese’s training passion led him to purchase the National Association of Scuba Diving Schools, NASDS.  By authoring new materials with a retail approach to entry-level training, he quickly changed the outcome of the company, leading to a merger with SSI in 1999. With a quest to continue SSI’s growth, McNeese and international partners purchased the company in 2008.  In 2014 HEAD Sports, a like-minded company with the passion to help members succeed, purchased SSI. 
Among his many innovations, McNeese authored “the original retail dive training program,” Scuba University. His passion remains to bring more people into diving and make it a lifetime sport. 
McNeese is the President of SSI USA and is now responsible for International Business Development. He continues to be driving force for recreational diving, while promoting SSI to strengthen the company’s growth worldwide. 
DEMA congratulates Al Hornsby and Doug McNeese for their exemplary, life-long service to our Industry. 
Further details about the 2017 DEMA Awards Party are available on the DEMA Show website where interested parties can purchase individual tickets from the DEMA Show registration system.  Unique sponsorship opportunities and VIP reserved seating for tables of 8 are also available by contacting Colleen Vasquez at cvasquez@dema.org or (858) 616-6408 x1006.

Thursday, July 13, 2017

DEMA Teams up with Featured-Creatures to Excite the Next Generation of Divers

DEMA has teamed up with Featured-Creatures, an online magazine about marine life for kids and the adults in their lives, to provide opportunities for DEMA Members to reach more consumers and excite a younger audience.  Featured-Creatures provides fascinating facts, stunning photography by Marty Snyderman, and beautiful video clips by Howard and Michele Hall.  Each edition includes many features such as rollover vocabulary words and photographs that can be printed and shared.  All are included to excite “children of all ages” about life in the world’s oceans.

“When I first saw Featured-Creatures, I thought the content was beautiful and interesting,” states Tom Ingram, President and CEO of DEMA.  “With such fascinating content, it can be used as a great tool to engage kids and adults in DEMA’s initiatives to grow the industry.”  The monthly editions can also be used as a wonderful form of public relations by all DEMA Members.

“We are pleased to join DEMA in the effort to introduce children to the wonders of the oceans, and to promote diving,” states Marty Snyderman, writer and professional photographer.  “We are proud that Featured-Creatures can help DEMA Members generate revenue for themselves too!  That’s why we created our Affiliate Program – which provides 30% Revenue Share – with no ongoing cost of inventory,” adds Rick Voight, business partner.

You can see a sample edition of Featured-Creatures on their home page and can sign up to receive a free 3-month subscription! To redeem your free 3-month subscription, visit www.Featured-Creatures.com/Redeem, select “Promotional Offer for a 3-Month Subscription”, and enter code:  3DEMAAffiliate.

Learn about the Affiliate Program by going to www.Featured-Creatures.com/Affiliate, Username:  F-C, Password:  Featured-Creatures. And of course, always feel free to drop Featured-Creatures a note or give them a call:  Rick.Voight@Featured-Creatures.com, 770-657-7007.

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