PLANS FOR WATER, SPORTS & TRAVEL FESTIVAL CONFIRMED FOR APRIL 26-28, 2013 IN FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA

DEMA met with interested Members in Florida on June 11^th, 2012, to  confirm that plans for the Water, Sports & Travel Festival, slated for April 26-28, 2013 in Fort Lauderdale, FL will move ahead under the experienced management of MSE Management. MSE, guided by President, Paul Muir, has 35 years of experience in developing markets through the creation of over 750 shows and events worldwide, including the World Congress on Eco & Tourism, The New York Times Travel Show, Atlanta Travel Expo and numerous others.  DEMA is thrilled to move plans forward for this large-scale event aimed at growing the diving industry through cross-marketing to active lifestyle and water sports enthusiasts.

“I am very excited that DEMA is forging ahead in a manner that works for all stakeholders and with the ultimate goal of growing our industry,” said Tom Ingram, DEMA Executive Director.  “With the unwavering support of the city of Fort Lauderdale and the experienced management of MSE through Paul Muir, the W S & T Festival is positioned to reach potential new customers and bring new energy to our industry.  This festival is designed to provide diving with exposure through non-endemic resources that the industry has been asking for, and we look forward to working with DEMA Members, stakeholders and MSE to make the event a success for the industry.”

In collaboration with MSE, DEMA has assembled a schedule of highly anticipated activities, events, and entertainment to be held as part of the Festival, including contests, in-water demonstrations, DiveCaching activities, live music, a lion fish cook-off, sport demonstrations/shows and much more.

As requested by meeting attendees, a series of Festival Update Meetings are scheduled to be held in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in the coming months. Meetings are tentatively scheduled for  July 24^th, August 21^st, and September 18^th. To learn more about Festival details as they are determined, DEMA encourages industry professionals to register to attend one or more of these meetings.

In addition to these monthly updates in South Florida, , DEMA will continue to provide information on the Water, Sports & Travel Festival to the entire industry as plans unfold via the DEMA website, weekly DEMAILs, social media sites, DEMA blog and other outlets.  Additional information on the Festival can be found by reviewing the Festival’s Frequently Asked Questions.