DEMA Board of Directors Enhances the Trade Show Business Experience for DEMA Show 2014

In May of 2013, the DEMA Show Committee met to discuss changes that could be implemented to enhance business for DEMA Members at the trade-only DEMA Show 2014. The Committee discussed how a number of different policy changes could help Members increase their own business transactions and improve the time they spend at the Show as dive industry buyers and influencers. The changes agreed upon are expected to create an improved Show experience for Exhibitors and Attendees alike. Confirmed changes for DEMA Show 2014 include:

• Recognition of DEMA Membership level in determining the number of Exhibitor Badges allotted per 10x10 Exhibit space.
  To make sure that legitimate and qualified Attendees are served during the limited Show schedule the Board has voted to tightly manage the number of badges allotted for each exhibit space and create a sliding scale based upon DEMA Member Level.
   
• Exhibitor and Attendee Badge Reprints
  Members have asked DEMA to continue to improve the registration process to prevent unqualified consumers (non-trade) from obtaining badges which allow them to slip on to the trade show floor. To improve this process, the Board has voted to implement a badge reprint fee and tighten the badge distribution process to be certain that fewer badges are being lost, distributed to those other than the person indicated on the badge or never being distributed to all registered staff members, thus leaving some registered individuals needing a reprint of a badge they were never given. The Board has voted to implement a $25 reprint fee for DEMA Show badges. DEMA staff has developed a method of properly recording badge distribution to determine if a badge has actually been picked up to avoid unfairly charging for reprints. DEMA will continue to check ID’s in order to distribute a reprinted badge.
   
• Manufacturers Representatives will become a part of the attendee registration system in 2014.
  In consideration of paying DEMA Show Attendees, the DEMA Board has discussed and acknowledged that in general, legitimate Manufacturers Reps are able to obtain an Exhibitor’s badge from at least one of the companies they are representing. The Board has voted to include Manufacturers Reps in the normal diving professional registration process, requiring registration in the same manner as other business Attendees for DEMA Show beginning in 2014. Manufacturers Reps can elect to receive a badge from one of their affiliated Exhibitors or register and pay as all professional Attendees.

More information on DEMA’s Board of Directors and Committees 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.