DEMA Thanks the Recreational Diving Industry for Their Participation in DEMA Show 2012

DEMA is pleased to say THANK YOU to the more than 9,800 pre-qualified dive professionals who registered for DEMA Show 2012, and the 600+ exhibiting companies who made DEMA Show successful. The sold out trade-only show was held at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV from November 14^th to 17^th.

Funds raised through DEMA Show (and all events produced by DEMA) are used to promote recreational diving, keep dive sites open, provide DEMA-Member access to benefit programs such as health insurance and worker’s compensation insurance, monitor legislative activity and advocate for diving with lawmakers, and conduct research on behalf of the Industry. With this year’s increased DEMA Show participation, DEMA can continue its mission of promoting sustainable growth in safe recreational diving and snorkeling while protecting the underwater environment.

DEMA Show 2012 encouraged attendees to find new ways to take control of their business by providing hundreds of exhibits, products, services, educational sessions and more. Opening day commenced at 10:00 am on November 14^th with more than 6,700 professionals on hand for the first day’s activities, including buyers, travel buyers, instructors and other dive professionals from all over the world. Comparative attendance figures confirm that more than 8,300 were on-site over the four-day Show period, with more than 900 registering on-site during the first day alone – a 2.5% increase over the previous Las Vegas-based DEMA Show and a 5.6% increase over the 2011 Orlando-based DEMA Show. Most importantly, the Show credentialing process helps keep the Show a true trade-only event, welcoming highly qualified Buyers.

Exhibitors such as Atomic, Body Glove, Cressi, Mares and MANY more hosted hundreds of attendees in their booths to showcase their latest products and service offerings. DEMA’s partner, Border Cross Productions, has captured the excitement of the action-packed days of DEMA Show 2012 in a series of videos located on the Be A Diver YouTube Channel.

During the Annual Member Meeting, attendees learned about the many accomplishments made by the Association over the past year and the goals being set for 2013. Included were details on the highly anticipated 2013 Water, Sports & Travel Festival which is aimed to reach out to water-sports enthusiasts and expose them to recreational diving. For details visit www.wstfest.com.

Media coverage by Fox-5 KVVU-TV and photos from the Show are available online and those who use social media sites, Instagram or Twitter are encouraged to use the hashtag #DEMAShow as they upload photos or share stories from their DEMA Show 2012 experience.

DEMA extends its THANKS to the entire Industry for the continuing success of DEMA Show!