https://www.dema.org/news/727544/DEMA-Board-of-Directors-to-Meet-May-21st.htm

 DEMA’s Board of Directors will hold its next Board meeting on May 21, 2026, to discuss how the association can support and serve the industry and its members in the coming 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.  Board members review all reports and other documents in advance of the Board meeting, including consent agenda items. 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 May’s meeting, consent agenda items include:

• 2025 Q1 Financial Update
• DEMA Show Sales Report
• DEMA Membership Update
• Board Meeting Minutes, February 2026
• Board Meeting Minutes, April 2026
• Retail Engagement Committee Minutes, May 2026
• Florida Dive in Day Report

The Board will dedicate meeting time to discuss a range of Association-related topics, including the 2025 financial review, DEMA’s federal lobbying activities, the updated 2026 budget, progress on DEMA Show’s 50th Anniversary celebration, the 2027-2029 Board Election, and strategic planning for 2027 and beyond. The Zoom meeting will conclude with new business and any consent agenda items that 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.

Book Your Stay in the Official Hotel Block for DEMA Show 2026

The DEMA Show Hotel Block is officially open! Start planning for the Show by booking your room reservation in the DEMA Show Hotel Block, featuring exclusive exhibitor and attendee rates and benefits.

DEMA has negotiated special rates for attendees joining us in New Orleans this November, offering savings and ensuring a comfortable stay near the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Reserve your rooms today to lock in exclusive rates and before the DEMA Show block sells out!

LEARN MORE & BOOK NOW

Registration for DEMA Show 2026 is Now Open!

The entire global diving community is coming together at DEMA Show this November 3-6 in New Orleans, LA.

Join thousands of industry professionals from around the world who will gather at this annual event to discover new products, get the latest technical training, collaborate with industry professionals, and build new partnerships.

Act quickly to ensure you take advantage of some huge opportunities to save on your DEMA Show registration!

• First-Time Non-Member Attendees SAVE $40 when you sign up for the Full Education Package or Exhibits-Only Package
• SAVE UP TO $145 when you register as a DEMA Member through October 13, 2026

Plus, choose from three unique registration packages designed to meet your specific needs.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER NOW

DEMA Announces Julie Anne Fabsik-Swarts as President & CEO

 **Veteran association executive brings 35+ years of leadership and conference growth expertise to the diving industry**

The Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Julie Anne Fabsik-Swarts, MS, CFRE, CAP, CEAP, as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 4, 2026.

Fabsik-Swarts succeeds Tom Ingram, who retired at the end of 2025 after more than two decades of leadership and service to the diving industry.

“After a thorough and thoughtful search process, the Board is confident that Julie is the right leader to guide DEMA forward,” said Dan Orr, Chair of the DEMA Board of Directors. “With a strong track record of leadership and a clear vision for the future, she brings valuable perspective and experience that will help strengthen and grow the association and the industry it serves.”

The appointment follows a comprehensive national search led by a Board-appointed Search Committee. Fabsik-Swarts was selected for her leadership experience, strategic mindset, and ability to drive growth and innovation within Member-driven organizations.

Fabsik-Swarts brings more than 35 years of executive leadership experience across multiple national and international associations. Most recently, she has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association International, where she led global operations spanning 40 countries. During her tenure, she transformed a prolonged period of conference losses into consistent six-figure profitability, significantly increased attendance and revenue, and grew membership by 400% through strategic outreach and program development. 

Her background includes extensive experience in conference and expo production, exhibitor and sponsor relations, membership development, marketing, advocacy, and financial management. She has successfully led strategic planning initiatives, strengthened governance practices, expanded international programs, and built high-performing teams across multiple organizations. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the U.S. Center for SafeSport and is a national-level women’s gymnastics judge officiating for USA Gymnastics and the NCAA.

In addition to her executive leadership experience, Fabsik-Swarts brings a personal connection to the diving community as a NAUI Master Diver with more than 28 years of recreational diving experience and over 1,000 dives.

“I’m honored to join DEMA and to have the opportunity to serve an industry with such a strong sense of community and purpose,” said Fabsik-Swarts. “I look forward to working closely with the Board, staff, and Members to build on the organization’s strong foundation and to explore new opportunities that support business growth and long-term success across the industry.”

As DEMA looks ahead, key priorities will include supporting dive businesses through data-driven programs, marketing resources, and advocacy; strengthening Member engagement and industry collaboration; continuing to evolve DEMA Show as a central hub for connection, product discovery, and business growth; and identifying new opportunities to expand the industry and attract new participants.

DEMA Board of Directors to Meet this Week

DEMA’s Board of Directors will hold a virtual Board meeting on February 12, 2026, to discuss key initiatives, programs, and priorities designed to support the global diving industry and DEMA Members in the year ahead. 

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 all reports and other documents pertinent to the consent agenda 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:

• November 2025 Board Meeting Minutes
• December 2025 Board Meeting Minutes
• Membership Update
• DEMA Show 2025 Sales Report
• DEMA Show 2026 Sales Report
• 2026 Committee Objectives
• 2025 YE Financial Update and Manufacturers Fund Recap 

After consent agenda items are discussed and voted on, the Board will review Anti-Trust Guidelines led by Amanda Washton, DEMA General Counsel, receive updates on the DEMA President & CEO search process, and discuss 2025 Board self-evaluations.

Legislative and advocacy efforts remain a key focus, with the Board receiving an update on the DIVE BOAT Act and related public policy initiatives impacting the dive industry.

The Board will also discuss Association governance and strategic priorities, including nominations committee information, DEMA Board priorities and programs for 2026, review of the proposed 2026 budget, and DEMA officer appointments and committee recommendations.

The video conference will conclude with the Board covering any new business or other agenda items that may require further discussion, and confirmation of 2026 Board meeting dates.

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.

DEMA Introduces 2026-2028 Board of Directors

The results of DEMA's 2026-2028 Board of Directors Election are in! Members of DEMA's 2026-2028 Board of Directors include the following individuals:

A1-Manufacturing

• Patrick Danko, Garmin*
• Mike Hollis, Pro Asia

A2-Diver Certification and Training Agencies

• Jeff Mondle, PADI Americas
• JoAnn (Haack) Perry, Divers Alert Network*

A3-Dive Publishing, Media, Consulting and Non-Retail Service Providers

• Jeff Cinciripino, Scuba Educational Alliance of Connecticut*
• Dan Orr, Dan Orr Consulting

A4-Retailers

• Patrick Hammer, Dive Right In Scuba, Inc.*
• Richard Thomas, International Scuba

A5-Travel & Resorts

• Jason Belport, Clearly Cayman Dive Resorts*
• Shana Phelan, Pura Vida Diver

*Elected in 2026

In accordance with the DEMA Bylaws, Directors serve three-year terms. Additional information on DEMA's Board of Directors and Bylaws is available on DEMA.org. The election was conducted by the CPA firm Gray, Proctor & McMannis, based in Newport Beach, CA. All A-category DEMA Members who had joined or renewed their DEMA Membership for 2026 by January 12, 2026, were eligible to vote in this election. The final vote count is available to DEMA Members who are logged in to the Members-Only Dashboard on DEMA.org.

Congratulations to all of DEMA's Directors! In the coming weeks, the Board will meet to conduct officer elections, form committees, and select individuals to chair them. Contact us at toll free (800) 862-DIVE (3483), (858) 616-6408, or info@dema.org if you have any questions or are interested in serving on one of the DEMA Board committees. Additional Committee information can be found online here. Thank you for your continued support!

Don’t Lose Your Early-Bird DEMA Member Rate for DEMA Show 2026

DEMA has extended the deadline to receive the DEMA Show 2026 early-bird exhibit space rate to February 9, 2026. Please remit your 20% exhibit space payment AND your DEMA membership dues payment by this day in order to retain the special $22.95/sq ft early-bird rate.

 

As a 2026 DEMA Show Exhibitor, by February 9, 2026, please:

 

1. Ensure your DEMA Membership is current for 2026 and that you have renewed at the appropriate Membership level for your exhibit space.
2. Remit your 20% liability deposit payment for exhibit space.

 

If Membership dues and the deposit payment are not received by close of business on February 9, 2026, then the exhibit space rate will increase in accordance with the second bullet point of Section A (to $23.95/sq ft, due no later than close of business September 21, 2026) and on the timeline set forth in Section 5. Please review your contract and invoice for complete details.

 

If you haven't done so already, please join/renew your DEMA Membership and remit your payment by the February 9th deadline.

 

If you need assistance joining/renewing your DEMA Membership, please contact Alicia Stone, DEMA Membership Manager, at (858) 616-6408 or alicia@dema.org.

 

If you need assistance with your Exhibitor Login, please contact Deneen Pratt with DEMA Show Event Services at (703) 706-8248 or dpratt@ntpevents.com.