Changes to the ADA: ADA Webinar Slides & DEMA Show ADA Seminars

The presentation slides from our recent ADA webinar sessions are now available online for download: 

 

ADA 101: Untangling the ADA

ADA 201: Access and Inclusion and DEMA Members

 

Join us for additional information on Saturday, November 17^th at DEMA Show 2012 as John McGovern, President of Recreation Accessibility Consultants, LLC mediates The ADA, Swimming Pools & Your Business!  This seminar aims to clarify the changes and new requirements within the ADA by which your business must comply:

 

The ADA, Swimming Pools & Your Business!

November 17^th 2012, 8:30 – 9:45 a.m. and 1:00 – 2:25 p.m.

This session will review requirements for existing buildings, new construction, policies, services and more. We’ll also clarify the much talked about swimming pool lift requirements which will go into effect for all businesses in January of 2013. Finally, we’ll spend some time clarifying how the ADA is enforced and what you can do to avoid finding yourself in the middle of a disability discrimination dispute.

 

Complete details on this seminar are available on the DEMA Show website. For additional information on the extension of the ADA compliance date and what it entails, read our recent release here.

DEMA-Sponsored Track 1 Seminars Offer Insight On Understanding Your Customer

DEMA-Sponsored Seminar Track 1: Understanding Your Customer at DEMA Show 2012 is offering an entire track dedicated to sharing innovative ideas, building customer relationships and understanding your customer better than they know themselves. The seminars within the track will explore the motivating factors that lead to your customers’ buying decisions and how to keep them wanting more.

 

Track 1 offers topics from keynote speakers including Barbara Wold, CEO, Barbara Wold International; Patty Vogan, Executive Business Coach, Victory Coaching International; Georgia King, Director of Training & Marketing, Oceans Unlimited; Nicolle Pratt, Director of Training & Marketing, Seven Seas Scuba.Seminar topics include:

• Show Me the Money: Understanding Your Customer
• No One Speaks My Language! Now What?
• Turning Viral Ideas into Viable Rewards

In addition to the sessions within Track 1, attendees will also find Track 2: Better Business Performance, Track 3: Strategies to Acquire New Divers and Track 4: Strategies to Retain Your Current Customer as part of the DEMA-Sponsored Seminar Program packed with sessions for every business type and size.

 

View complete session details and register for the DEMA-Sponsored Seminar package on the DEMA Show website. 2012 DEMA Members can save up to $125 on their seminar package price by registering now, before the early-bird pricing deadline of October 9, 2012. Become a 2012 DEMA Member today and SAVE! All attendees are encouraged to make the most of their Show experience by attending these seminars to help them take control of their businesses.

2012 DEMA AWARDS PARTY… LIKE A ROCK STAR AT HARD ROCK HOTEL’S PREMIER PARTY VENUE, “THE JOINT”

DEMA invites you and your crew to “Party like a Rock Star” during the 24^th Annual presentation of the diving industry’s prestigious Reaching Out Awards at Hard Rock Hotel’s Premier Party Venue, “The Joint”.  This year DEMA’s Awards Party is going to rock Las Vegas as we honor Reaching Out Award Recipients Dan Orr and Dick Rutkowski.  Join us as we celebrate at “The Joint” with a networking cocktail hour followed by an array of delicious food and desserts, a memorable awards ceremony and a Las Vegas-style show performed by “The Bluzmen,” a Blues Brothers tribute band.

First awarded in 1989, the Reaching Out Award honors diving community leaders whose significant contributions to the sport have elevated the industry for all.  This year’s recipients, Richard Rutkowski and Dan Orr, join an extraordinary list of distinguished past Honorees, including Jacques Cousteau, Dr. Drew Richardson, Fraser Bathgate and Neal Watson. “The DEMA Awards Party is our opportunity, as an industry, to celebrate these great individuals. Many choose to use this night as an opportunity to not only honor these great leaders, but to treat their staff and customers to a night out on the town that includes dinner, drinks and entertainment, packaged at an affordable price,” explained Colleen Vasquez, DEMA Associate Director and Awards Party Coordinator.  Whatever your plans are for the Show make sure to keep Friday night open!  You don’t want to miss this night of celebration taking place strip-side at “The Joint” at The Hard Rock!

Date:  November 16, 2012

Time:  6:30 PM to Midnight

Location:  The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel

Attire:  Party Attire

Individual tickets are available online for $69 until October 19^th, 2012 and $89 thereafter. For information on reserved seating for groups of 10 or more and sponsorship opportunities contact Colleen Vasquez at cvasquez@dema.org or (858) 616-6408 x106. Don’t hesitate! There are a limited number of tables available and they are going quickly; reserve yours today!

DEMA LAUNCHES HEALTH & BUSINESS INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR US MEMBERS

DEMA is excited to announce that US based companies of all sizes now have access health and business insurance choices when they join DEMA. Members located in any of the 50 US states can purchase a variety of health insurance products including a pharmacy benefits program, group employee and individual health insurance, business insurance and have access to workers compensation insurance at DEMA Member-only rates.

Competitive insurance rates are available to DEMA Members because DEMA has combined with more than 9,000,000 association participants from across the US to make it possible for even the smallest DEMA-Member company to purchase health insurance when they become part of the Association. DEMA Members in any of the 50 states can customize their own insurance benefits package by selecting a program and major carrier available in their state. Benefits available include individual and group health insurance and long-term disability options; business insurance products such as workers compensation and inventory coverage; and the pharmacy benefits program covering over 12,000 prescription drugs and available through 42,000 retail pharmacies nationwide.

Specific to DEMA Members, these insurance offerings are a direct result of listening to the Industry’s needs as expressed during DEMA’s 2020 Vision Sessions conducted during 2011 and 2012. 2020 Vision Session attendees have consistently indicated that access to health insurance and workers compensation insurance options were needed in order to retain good employees and keep businesses thriving and profitable. 

“Every company in the diving industry is faced with escalating health care insurance costs for their owners and employees, and in some cases these companies have had limited or no access to health insurance coverage,” explains DEMA Executive Director, Tom Ingram. “While DEMA has been working during the last year to bring this program to Members, the recent changes in health care insurance requirements in the US make this program even more beneficial for our members.” In most states businesses can even obtain coverage for temporary or part-time employees at affordable rates.

Getting a customized quote through the DEMA Member Insurance Program is easy. Members simply log on through the DEMA Member Dashboard and enter the Insurance Program portal. There, they are able to customize their desired plan by choosing the coverage which works best for their business size, their state, their specific needs, and budget.   Members can even compare their quote with other carriers to make sure they are getting the best rate available for their needs.

DEMA Members are encouraged to log in to their DEMA Member Dashboard today and get started on a quote through the Insurance Program portal listed within their Member Benefits. A 2012 DEMA Membership provides businesses in the Diving Industry with a number of invaluable benefits. To renew your 2012 DEMA Membership or join as a new Member, visit www.dema.org and start taking advantage of a DEMA Membership today!

DEMA EXPANDS REACH OF DIVECACHING TO GARMIN’S GEOCACHING WEBSITE, OPENCACHING.COM

DEMA has begun working with Garmin’s geocaching website, Opencaching.com to promote the real-life environmentally-friendly, in-water game of DiveCaching. Opencaching has made it simple to log and find DiveCaches by adding a new “Diving” search tag to their cache locating website, www.Opencaching.com.

“We are extremely excited to be working with Garmin’s Opencaching.com to further awareness of DiveCaching,” commented Tom Ingram, Executive Director of DEMA. “Opencaching has made it easy to find and record DiveCaches by incorporating a “Diving” search tag to their online listings.  We encourage those owning a DiveCache on other sites to also log their cache with a free account on Opencaching.com.”

Opencaching is a geocache listing site operated by Garmin, the leading, worldwide provider of navigation, communication and information devices and applications, most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Those hiding or finding geocaches underwater are encouraged to rate caches and register their DiveCaches on the diving landing page. Opencaching is a free membership site and anyone with a compatible GPS enabled device can upload, download and log caches. There are also free Opencaching.com mobile apps for iPhone and Android devices.

DiveCaching is an underwater variation of “Geocaching,” a game which has been played around the world for more than a dozen years by adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts.  The game uses a GPS device and simple search skills to locate hidden land-based caches, and DiveCaching adds the twist of caches and landmarks hidden underwater. Here’s how DiveCaching works:

·         Divers hide a “treasure” or “cache” underwater and post the GPS coordinates and compass direction on www.opencaching.com.

·         Other divers search www.opencaching.com for nearby DiveCache listings and their GPS coordinates and actually dive to locate the cache.

·         Once the cache is found, divers sign the log book included with the cache, often using a plastic slate or waterproof paper. The finder may also choose to photograph the cache, deposit an additional treasure in the container or simply return it to its original location.

·         After turning to the surface, the finders log their visit on www.opencaching.com, sharing their adventure on line with other divers searching for caches around the world.

There are many rewards for DiveCaching and everyone has their own favorite reason for participating.  Some will thrive on the fun and adventure of discovery.  Others enjoy exploring a new dive site or returning to one that they have not visited in a while.  Still others enjoy practicing their diving skills or using new skills in navigation or search and recovery, or just simply being with friends and family.  DiveCaching, combined with land-based geocaching is a great way to involve non-diving friends and family and get them interested in diving.

For more information about DiveCaching, including finding and hiding a cache, visit www.DiveCaching.org and don’t forget to “Like Us” on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter to stay updated on the latest DiveCaching details, updates and events.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR BUSINESS! ATTEND TRACK 2 DEMA-SPONSORED SEMINARS AT DEMA SHOW 2012 IN LAS VEGAS

When it comes down to it, it’s the little things you do every day that keep your business running smoothly and profitably.  That’s why DEMA-Sponsored Seminars at DEMA Show offer an entire track dedicated to helping you take control of your business all day, every day.   Attend the numerous DEMA-Sponsored Seminars offered under Track 2: Better Business Performance.  These seminars can help you take immediate steps to improve customer service, increase sales and keep your customers satisfied – don’t miss these in-demand sessions!

Track 2 offers topics from highly-rated speakers such as Larry Mersereau, President, PromoPower LLC; Rick Segel, President, Rick Segel & Associates and Steve Strauss, Best-Selling Author, TheSelfEmplyed.com. Seminar topics include:

·         How to Provide Outstanding Customer Service in Your Dive Business

·         Customer Service that SELLS

·         The Power of Add-on Sales – “Super Size Your Sales”

·         Social Media and Search Marketing: Visibility and Discoverability, The Magic Formula

·         Creative Financing for Your Business

·         Visual Merchandising Secrets for the Artistically Challenged and Financially Deprived

In addition to the sessions within this invaluable seminar Track, attendees will also find Track 1: Understanding Your Customer, Track 3: Strategies to Acquire New Divers and Track 4: Strategies to Retain Your Current Customers as part of a DEMA-Sponsored Seminar Program packed with sessions for every business type and size.

View complete session details and register for the DEMA Sponsored Seminar package on the DEMA Show website.  2012 DEMA Members can save up to $125 on their seminar package price by registering now, before the early-bird pricing deadline of October 29, 2012.  Become a 2012 DEMA Member today and SAVE!  All attendees are encouraged to make the most of their Show experience by attending these seminars to help them take control of their businesses.

DEMA Works with Garmin to Expand Reach of DiveCaching to Opencaching.com

DEMA has begun working with Garmin’s geocaching website, Opencaching.com to promote the real-life environmentally-friendly, in-water game of DiveCaching. Opencaching has made it simple to log and find DiveCaches by adding a new “Diving” search tag to their cache locating website, www.Opencaching.com.

 

“We are extremely excited to be working with Garmin’s Opencaching.com to further awareness of DiveCaching,” commented Tom Ingram, Executive Director of DEMA. “Opencaching has made it easy to find and record DiveCaches by incorporating a “Diving” search tag to their online listings. We encourage those owning a DiveCache on other sites to also log their cache with a free account on Opencaching.com.”

 

Opencaching is a geocache listing site operated by Garmin, the leading, worldwide provider of navigation, communication and information devices and applications, most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Those hiding or finding geocaches underwater are encouraged to rate caches and register their DiveCaches on the diving landing page. Opencaching is a free membership site and anyone with a compatible GPS enabled device can upload, download and log caches. There are also free Opencaching.com mobile apps for iPhone and Android devices.

 

DiveCaching is an underwater variation of “Geocaching,” a game which has been played around the world for more than a dozen years by adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts. The game uses a GPS device and simple search skills to locate hidden land-based caches, and DiveCaching adds the twist of caches and landmarks hidden underwater. Here’s how DiveCaching works:

• Divers hide a “treasure” or “cache” underwater and post the GPS coordinates and compass direction on www.opencaching.com.
• Other divers search www.opencaching.com for nearby DiveCache listings and their GPS coordinates and actually dive to locate the cache.
• Once the cache is found, divers sign the log book included with the cache, often using a plastic slate or waterproof paper. The finder may also choose to photograph the cache, deposit an additional treasure in the container or simply return it to its original location.
• After turning to the surface, the finders log their visit on www.opencaching.com, sharing their adventure on line with other divers searching for caches around the world.

There are many rewards for DiveCaching and everyone has their own favorite reason for participating.  Some will thrive on the fun and adventure of discovery.  Others enjoy exploring a new dive site or returning to one that they have not visited in a while.  Still others enjoy practicing their diving skills or using new skills in navigation or search and recovery, or just simply being with friends and family.  DiveCaching, combined with land-based geocaching is a great way to involve non-diving friends and family and get them interested in diving.

 

For more information about DiveCaching, including finding and hiding a cache, visit www.DiveCaching.org and don’t forget to “Like Us” on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter to stay updated on the latest DiveCaching details, updates and events.

DEMA Comments on Marine Advisory and Requests New Statement Correcting Erroneous Information

DEMA submitted a letter  to the United States Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland Security on the Marine Safety Advisory 01- 12 that was distributed on June 21, 2012. The letter was submitted by Tom Ingram, DEMA’s Executive Director and expressed concerns regarding the Advisory, and requested that the Coast Guard withdraw it due to its inaccurate and misleading premise and the confusion it created for operators.

“Some of the recommendations stated in the Advisory conflict with long-established and existing industry practices and create confusion similar to that created by federal regulatory OSHA efforts which conflict with Coast Guard regulations relating to commercial diving,” commented Tom Ingram, Executive Director of DEMA.  “[This] creates an intolerable level of confusion for the dive industry.”

The Advisory was addressed to Passenger Vessel Operators, Owners and Crewmembers providing commercial transport and support services to recreational divers, and reminded them of safety responsibilities to themselves and their passengers. It also provided recommendations and lessons learned from recreational diving casualty investigations, and promoted awareness of industry best practices.

“As an alternative to this Advisory,” Ingram added, “DEMA requests that the Coast Guard include in future communication the recommendation that passenger vessels that support recreational diving activities follow the protocols outlined by the recreational diving industry, the acknowledged experts in this field, which have proven extremely effective in providing a high level of safety for divers.” 

DEMA has strong interest in conferencing with Coast Guard representatives about the conclusions that were reached, and how the Dive Industry and the Coast Guard can work together to serve our common goal, diver safety.

2013 Water, Sports & Travel Festival Booth Space is Now Available for Reservations

DEMA’s inaugural Water, Sports and Travel Festival is part of DEMA’s continuing effort to help grow the recreational diving industry by cross-marketing to people with active lifestyles similar to the most active diving customer. The event, which will be open to the public, has been confirmed for April 26-28, 2013 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. DEMA has just announced that booth space is now available through MSE Management for the event and those interested in booth and sponsorship pricing are encouraged to inquire early to reserve their preferred choice.

DEMA has partnered with MSE Management, a show management company with over 35 years of experience, to manage the Festival. MSE has produced more than 750 shows, including numerous active lifestyle shows similar to the Festival. They currently produce several shows including The New York Times Travel Show, which is the largest annual travel trade and consumer show in North America.MSE is well versed in the goals of the Festival, and is experienced in using the cross-marketing techniques needed to help increase visibility for and participation in recreational diving. 

MSE Management will reach out to DEMA Members and others in the next few weeks, making it easy for companies to participate in the Festival.  Those interested can also contact MSE now to find out more about booth and sponsorship pricing and to pick their preferred booth location to secure visibility to the thousands of divers and non-divers that are anticipated to be there!  MSE can be reached using the following:

E-mail: WSTFest@msemgmt.com

Toll Free: (800) 322-9332

Phone: (203) 622-7081

More information is available on the Festival Fact Sheet and additional details are posted to www.wstfest.com held in Fort Lauderdale, FL and those interested in learning more are invited to attend these upcoming meetings on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 and Tuesday, September 18, 2012.