First DEMA Board Meeting of 2019 to Take Place February 7-8, 2019 in San Diego, CA

DEMA’s Board of Directors will gather for the first Board Meeting of 2019 on February 7th and 8th in San Diego, CA. The Board will focus on setting DEMA’s strategic goals and objectives for the year in order to bring businesses together to grow the diving industry worldwide. Topics for discussion will include:

• 2018 DEMA Board Member Self-Evaluations
•  Developing a Member Engagement Strategy
•  International Membership and Programs
•  Proposed 2019 Programs and Budget Review
•  Officer Appointment and Committee Recommendations

Day one of the Board meeting will begin with the election of the Board Chair from among the 2019 Board Members. 2019 Board Members include:

• A1-Manufacturing
  Mike Hollis, Aqua Lung
  Jenna Meistrell, Body Glove
  
• A2-Diver Certification and Training Agencies
  Kristin Valette-Wirth, PADI
  
• A3-Dive Publishing, Media, Consulting and Non-Retail Service Providers
  Jerry Beaty, Dive Training Magazine
  Dan Orr, Dan Orr Consulting
  
• A4-Retailers
  Patrick Hammer, Scuba Emporium
  Myra Kurn, Ocean Enterprises, Inc.
  
• A5-Travel & Resorts
  Stuart Cove, Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas
  Tim Webb, Caradonna Dive Adventures

Once the 2019 Board Chair is elected the Board will approve reports from past and completed activities as part of the “consent agenda.”  The February consent agenda will include:

• DEMA 2018 Dashboard
•  2018 Year End Financial Summary and Manufacturer’s Fund Report
•  New Professionals Focus Group Summary
•  Membership Audit and DEMA Bylaws
•  DEMA Show 2019 Update
•  Membership Update
•  2019 Committees and Objectives

Following approval of the consent agenda, the Board will move into matters on the regular agenda including the appointment of Board Officers and Committee Chairs. Committees are a crucial way for the DEMA Board to engage Members and gather input as they guide the Association. Committees are tactical, and the goals of Committees include creating new ideas, improving current programs and benefits, clarifying or resolving pending issues, and soliciting feedback from Industry stakeholders.  Within their areas of focus, Committees’ ideas and suggestions are well-researched, strategically-developed, and when ready for further action, proposed to the entire Board for input, further development, and implementation.

Members interested in volunteering on a DEMA Board committee can find more information and apply online.

After final discussion and approval of the budget and programs, the Board of Directors will address any new business and adjourn. More information on DEMA’s Board of Directors and Bylaws 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.

New Lead Capture Feature Added to Go Dive Now Retail Dive Store and Dive Vacation Finders

** Leads will be Sent Directly to Current DEMA Member Retailers and Travel Providers **

DEMA has announced the launch of a new lead capture enhancement on the GoDiveNow.com website. The feature sends inquiring-consumer’s contact information directly to DEMA Member retail stores/travel providers when approved by the website user. A GoDiveNow merchandise incentive is provided directly from DEMA and offered to website users at the point of engagement to encourage approval and entry of contact information.

“The goal of this new tool is to help retailers capture contact information for users of GoDiveNow.com to determine and improve conversions generated by the site,” said Kristin Valette-Wirth, DEMA’s Consumer Marketing Committee Chair. “This feature is just one of the ways we are working to improve the site and overall Go Dive Now campaign in 2019. We encourage all dive stores and travel providers to update their listings and utilize campaign resources to help generate business for stores, destinations and the industry.” Dive stores and destinations can request an update to their listing by submitting the Listing Update Request Form and access campaign resources from the DEMA.org Member Dashboard.

To improve lead generation dive stores and destinations can increase their visibility and optimize their search result position on the website by becoming a Go Dive Now Campaign Premier Partner. To become a campaign partner current DEMA Members must utilize elements from the free-for-Members campaign resources and complete the partner request form.

DEMA Members have access to numerous resources and tools to help them analyze their market, create marketing collateral and implement strategies to grow their business. Take advantage of these resources by becoming a 2019 DEMA Member. Businesses joining DEMA by January 31, 2019 will save $25 on their membership dues so act now! For questions regarding DEMA and the Go Dive Now campaign contact DEMA at (858) 616-6408 or info@dema.org.