DEMA Calls for Nominations for the 2018 Wave Makers Award

**Finalists and 2018 Recipient to be Honored at 2018 DEMA Awards Party in Las Vegas, NV**

DEMA will once again recognize new professionals in the diving industry who are employed by (or own) a DEMA-Member business at the 2018 DEMA Awards Party! The Wave Makers Award was first introduced in 2017 and aims to recognize professionals who have been working in the industry for five years or less and have made a significant contribution to the industry during that time. The Wave Makers Award encourages the Industry to support a culture that fosters innovative thinking and encourages engagement with the association and industry by new professionals. Nominations for the 2018 Wave Makers Award will be accepted until Friday, August 31, 2018. All finalists will be recognized at the 2018 DEMA Awards Party where the final honoree will be announced.

Wave Makers are employees or owners of DEMA-Member businesses who have been involved as a professional in the Diving Industry for 60 months or less and who should be recognized for their contributions to the industry, a dive business and DEMA.  A complete overview of the criteria to qualify can be found here. Member professionals who have been active with DEMA by attending DEMA Show, serving on a committee or task force, or volunteering for the Go Dive Now Pool, or other activities related to DEMA, can qualify.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION in any of the following categories: Contribution to DEMA’s Mission, Providing Business or Community Service, or Contributing to Dive Industry Growth.

The Wave Makers selection process for 2018 will be as follows:

1. DEMA Members nominate a potential honoree, using the established criteria. 
2. The Awards Committee reviews these nominees, narrowing the field to the top candidates.
3. The top candidates are notified and asked to create a one-minute video about what they envision for the future of the association and/or the diving industry.
4. The videos are then placed on social media, and DEMA asks members to view them prior to DEMA Show, and vote on DEMA.org for the Wave Makers winner for 2018.
5. Only DEMA Members can vote, as a log-in to the DEMA website and Member-only voting page will be required.
6. The top candidates and a guest are invited to attend the DEMA Awards Party at DEMA Show 2018. 
7. Each of the top candidates’ self-made videos will be played during the Party and the winner will be announced during the Awards celebration. 

Nominations are open now until August 31, 2018!  Finalists and the new professional chosen as the 2018 Wave Maker will be honored at the DEMA Awards Party being held on Friday, November 16, 2018 in Las Vegas, NV at the Las Vegas Westgate Resort Ballroom. Complete DEMA Awards Party details and tickets are available on the DEMA Show website.