DEMA-Sponsored Education Sessions Start September 27th

Once again, DEMA-Sponsored Educational Sessions will be available online and in-person at DEMA Show 2022.

DEMA-Sponsored Education covers a wide spectrum of topics to expand your business and career. Online sessions will take place from September 27 - October 19 and in-person sessions will take place in Orlando during DEMA Show.

Introduced in 2021, DEMA is again offering the opportunity for attendees to obtain a Digital Credential in Marketing Education, when you attend and complete at least five designated Marketing Education sessions during DEMA Show 2022!

LEARN MORE & BROWSE EDUCATION

Is One of Your Employees Rising to the Top? Nominate Them for DEMA’s 2022 Wave Makers Award Today!

DEMA is now accepting nominations for the 2022 Wave Makers Award. These annual awards recognize new professionals in the diving industry who are rising to the top and making a difference in our industry. Honorees will be recognized at the Annual Membership Meeting taking place on November 2, 2022 during DEMA Show 2022 in Orlando, FL. 

Nominations for the Wave Makers Award are being accepted until Monday, August 22, 2022. 

Learn more, check out our past recipients, and submit a nomination!

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

Is Your Company Making a Difference in Your Community? Nominate a Company That is Today!

DEMA is now accepting nominations for the 2022 Diving Community Champions Award. These annual awards recognize the good works of DEMA-Member companies and showcase their work that uses recreational diving to help their community. All DEMA-Member companies are eligible to submit a nomination to recognize other DEMA Members. Honorees will be recognized at the Annual Membership Meeting taking place on November 2, 2022 during DEMA Show 2022 in Orlando, FL.

Nominations for the Diving Community Champion Awards are being accepted until Monday, August 22, 2022. 

Learn more, check out our 2021 recipients, and submit a nomination!

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

DEMA Show 2022 Registration is Open!

 **DEMA Members, Register by September 26th to Save with Early Bird Rates***

There is power in community and the entire global diving community is coming together in a big way at DEMA Show this November for the Dive Industry’s only trade-exclusive event. Taking place November 1-4 in the South Halls of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, qualified dive industry professionals will discover and try newly released products, tap into the power of collaboration, establish and maintain professional relationships, celebrate our industry, and learn from peers and business experts. Attendee registration for DEMA Show 2022 is now open— REGISTER NOW TO SAVE!

To register, visit the official DEMA Show website. While there, visitors can review exhibitor listings and booth locations using the interactive floorplan, book a room in the Official DEMA Show Hotel Block, and find information about Show features like Show Specials, Exhibitor-Sponsored Seminars, and DEMA-Sponsored Education (coming soon!).

Attendees can choose from three different packages when registering: The Education Package, Exhibits-Only Package, and the Friday-Only Immersion Pass. Each package varies in price and opportunities. You can view complete details on each by visiting DEMAShow.com. Current DEMA Members can save up to $125 on their DEMA Show Education Package over the non-member rate when registering on or before the early registration deadline of September 26, 2022.

ACT NOW AND REGISTER TODAY! Visit DEMAShow.com for the latest details on DEMA Show education opportunities, Show-related activities, and other information as the Show approaches.

To have DEMA Show news delivered directly to your email, subscribe to email list for important Show news, announcements, opportunities, and updates.

The Official Hotel Block for DEMA Show 2022 is Now Open

  **Block Offers Exclusive Savings and Benefits for DEMA Show 2022 Attendees and Exhibitors*** 

The DEMA Show Hotel Block is officially open! To help dive industry professionals keep their planning efforts on track for this year’s annual trade-only event for the Diving Industry, DEMA has contracted with two hotels convenient to the Orange County Convention Center. By booking in DEMA’s hotel block the entire industry saves, as DEMA is able to use the occupation data to better negotiate convention center rates, nearby hotel block rates and transportation in any city, to everyone’s benefit. Start your planning for the Show, taking place November 1-4 in Orlando, FL, by booking your room reservation in the DEMA Show Hotel Block, featuring exclusive exhibitor and attendee rates and benefits.

DEMA Show will again feature the Rosen Centre Hotel as this year’s Host Hotel. The Rosen Centre is conveniently located within walking distance of Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center – home to DEMA Show 2022. Those booking in DEMA’s block at the Rosen Centre will receive special rates at the Rosen Centre of  $215 per night* (single/double rooms plus 13.38% tax). Those booking at the Rosen Centre will benefit from an elevated experience.

Those staying at the official host hotel will be entered into daily drawings on-site for a chance to win prizes* including:

• The Full DEMA Show 2023 Package! Valued at $2,500!
  • 2 roundtrip domestic flights to New Orleans
  • 2 full conference passes
  • Hotel accommodations for a 4 night stay in the DEMA Show Host hotel in New Orleans (one room)
• Other prizes may include:
  • Universal Orlando Park tickets valid for 365 days from receipt
  • $500 gift cards
  • Visit Orlando gift baskets
  • DEMA store merchandise
  • And more!

Additional Rosen Centre Hotel Perks:

• 15% Savings on all spa services (cannot be combined with any other discounted packages or special offers)
• One complimentary voucher for an unlimited one-day pass on the I-Ride Trolley
• Have easy access to the Convention Center

Other specially-priced DEMA hotel block rooms will also be available at the Days Inn for $114/night (single/double room plus 13.38% tax).

Shuttle bus service will be available to those booking within the official hotel block through DEMAShow.com. Both hotels are also nearby and within walking distance to the South halls.

Please advise that there is another large show staging in Orlando during our show dates. Hotel accommodations will be limited. Be sure to book EARLY to ensure you get a room and the best rates.

A SPECIAL CAUTION! 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. These unauthorized vendors may offer what appears to be a lower rate than the official DEMA block rate, but room reservations may be offered at significantly lower quality and may not be available for the duration of your planned stay. Also, cancellation policies with these re-sellers are often harsh and unforgiving, resulting in loss of fees or other penalties. Booking within the official DEMA Hotel Block also allows DEMA to negotiate exclusive rates for DEMA Show attendees and exhibitors in the locations most convenient to the convention center. Help DEMA keep everyone’s hotel costs down for DEMA Show by booking within DEMA’s official hotel block.

Should Consumers be Admitted to DEMA Show? The Dive Industry Weighs-In.

 In response to recent comments and suggestions regarding DEMA Show, DEMA has again surveyed members of the diving industry to determine whether or not part or all of DEMA Show should be accessible to dive consumers and the general public. DEMA Show currently is a trade-exclusive event and is only open to dive professionals.

While the Association has previously conducted surveys on this subject, it is important to periodically review current trends in the marketplace, especially in light of potential market changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest survey that closed on April 8, 2022, was the first DEMA survey that asked about the industry’s stance on consumers at DEMA Show since the onset of the pandemic. 

There were more than 1,000 respondents to this survey. The survey consisted of 13 total questions, four of which were “identifiers” to help understand who was answering, from what location, and their involvement with DEMA as a Member. The majority of respondents to the survey were from DEMA Member companies, but DEMA received a large number of responses from both DEMA Members and non-members.

The overall results were substantially in favor of DEMA Show remaining a dive professionals-exclusive event, and that consumers should NOT be admitted to DEMA Show.

Should DEMA consider opening DEMA Show to the general public and allowing the public to enter, WITH THE GOAL OF UTILIZING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE RECREATIONAL DIVING?	% of Total
Yes	32%
No	62%
Uncertain	6%

Results by stakeholder:

Should DEMA consider opening DEMA Show to the general public and allowing the public to enter, WITH THE GOAL OF UTILIZING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE RECREATIONAL DIVING?	A1 Manufacturing	A2 Training Organizations	A3 Media, Consultants, Non-Retail Services	A4 Retailers	A5 Sellers of Dive Travel
Yes	45.60%	39.61%	57.27%	15.53%	50.41%
No	47.20%	51.30%	30.00%	80.12%	45.45%
Uncertain	7.20%	9.09%	12.73%	4.35%	4.13%

DEMA also included a question regarding the ability of exhibitors to sell products and services, including life support equipment, during a public event - whether the public was admitted for the entire event, a day, or to a section of the show floor:

Assuming DEMA Show Was Open to the Public:	% of Total in Favor
ANY exhibitor should be able to sell their products or services on the show floor to ANY member of the general public (thereby helping them reach a better return on their exhibit investment).	21%
NO exhibitors should be able to sell their products or services to ANY member of the general public; sales can only be made to professional travel or retail buyers through wholesale channels. This includes manufacturers, training organizations, retailers, jewelry and clothing vendors, and hotels, as well as travel sellers.	14%
All exhibitors can promote their products for re-sale ONLY through the retail dive center, internet sales away from the Show, or other retail outlet.	10%
None of these; DEMA Show should NOT be open to the general public.	54%

This latest survey data is consistent with past surveys. In fact, as the results of previous surveys confirm, the COVID-19 pandemic did not change most stakeholders’ response to the question of DEMA Show admitting consumers:

Did the COVID-19 Pandemic change the way you answered any of the questions above?	A1	A2	A3	A4	A5
Yes	11.20%	9.80%	12.73%	4.14%	11.48%
No	88.80%	90.20%	87.27%	95.86%	88.52%

With the results of this survey and DEMA's continuing efforts focused on addressing the needs of members and the market, the DEMA Board of Directors has voted unanimously to maintain DEMA Show as a trade-exclusive event. DEMA will continue to explore and review changes in the market with regard to DEMA Show and other association activities. As always we value input from industry members and extend our thanks to all who responded to this important survey!

DEMA Show 2022 will take place November 1-4, 2022 (Tuesday - Friday) at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Learn more about DEMA Show at DEMAShow.com and follow DEMA Show on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

ALERT: Yucatan Underwater Caves & Mayan Archaeological Sites Threatened

A planned railway to move tourism into remote areas of Yucatan is placing the underwater cave systems and Mayan archaeological sites in that area at risk. 

The US $9.8 billion “Maya Train” railway project is projected to transport 40,000 passengers a day to the Yucatan Peninsula. After several false starts and location changes, the Mexican government’s plan now is to build the railway about 4km (2.5 miles) from Highway 307, which could destroy habitat where endangered and protected species are found. As planned, the train will cross over sections of the largest underwater cave system in the world, Sac Actun. In addition, the limestone caves in that region, filled with the area’s only source of fresh water, may be damaged or destroyed if the railway is built along this route. There are considerable risks for building this railway in the planned location, including the risks of building a passenger-carrying railway in a geologically unstable area and destroying the cave diving currently available in the area.

DEMA is in opposition to building this railway in this location and suggests that members of the diving industry also voice their opposition by signing the petition found here. At this writing, more than 63,000 have signed this petition in opposition to building the railway in this location.

Several diving publications have detailed the issues involved with the planned railway. Readers can find out more by reading the articles found here:

• DIVER | The Imminent Destruction of Mexico’s Best Dive Sites – One Track at a Time

• X-Ray Mag | Dive community up in arms over Tren Maya railway project

• Dive Magazine | Divers fear Yucatán train could destroy cenotes

Please sign the petition opposing the railway today!  For more information on DEMA’s Public Policy efforts, please see www.dema.org.

FWC Rules to Open the Recreational Harvest of the Goliath Grouper

At its March meeting taking place last week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) ruled to open the recreational harvest of the Goliath Grouper beginning Spring 2023.

DEMA, along with other organizations such as REEF, has strongly opposed this ruling and fought to maintain the current harvest moratorium on the Goliath Grouper.

More information on the approved harvest can be found on the FWC website.

DEMA Board of Directors to Meet this Week

DEMA’s 2022 Board of Directors will convene during a video conference on February 17th to discuss ways the association can support and serve the industry and its Members throughout the upcoming year.

The Board meeting will begin by voting to approve the “consent agenda,” a Robert’s Rules of Order device used to obtain “general consent” intended to expedite approval of routine items. The Board is provided consent agenda items in advance of the Board Meeting. This allows Board Members to study the documents in detail prior to the meeting so that the Board can spend its limited meeting time discussing forward-thinking items; policy and strategic issues that demand its attention.

For February’s meeting, consent agenda items include:

• 2021 YE Financial Update and Manufacturers Fund Recap
• 2022 Membership Update
• DEMA Show 2022 Sales Report
• Public Policy Report
• 2021 Q4 Certification Census
• 2021 DEMA Board Self Evaluations

The Board will use meeting time to discuss anti-trust compliance guidelines, a review and update of the DEMA bylaws, proposed association programs and activities for the upcoming year, and the 2022 budget. The Board will also discuss the vacancy of the A1 board set, establish a committee for the 2023 Board election, and approve recommendations for officer appointments and committees. The video conference will conclude with the Board covering any new business or consent agenda items that may require further discussion.

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.