Update on DEMA Show, the DEMA Association, and COVID-19

DEMA Show 2020 is currently scheduled for November 4-7, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. As the world’s only trade-exclusive diving, travel and watersports event, DEMA is continuing to plan for a face-to-face event while exploring all the options technology has to offer.

We are aware that the current situation with COVID-19 creates some unknowns regarding DEMA Show for our exhibitors, attendees, and the Industry at large. We share your concerns about the financial recovery of dive retail, dive travel, dive training and manufacturing, as well as concerns for the health and safety of all divers and dive professionals. News reports from Louisiana that the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center continues to be utilized as a medical monitoring station for patients recovering from COVID-19 and that the governor of Louisiana has extended stay-at-home orders for the state, complicate the possibilities of staging a face-to-face event in November. 

DEMA is monitoring the situation in New Orleans and will continue to provide updates on DEMA Show and other opportunities for members of the Industry to stay engaged with each other. The DEMA Board of Directors has extended exhibitor payment deadlines for DEMA Show – the next has been extended to June 15, 2020. Exhibitors can utilize this additional time to carefully assess their marketing needs and how the professional outreach possible through DEMA Show can assist as dive and travel markets re-open.

The DEMA Association is also providing other services to the Industry; the DEMA Retailer Resource Committee is currently reviewing proposals for DEMA-sponsored professional development programs, and the Public Policy and Retailer Resource Committees are helping shape local and state government policy in the U.S. to keep diving businesses open through the crisis. The Association continues to create and share engaging marketing materials and other resources for DEMA Member retailers to use as they reach out to potential and returning divers on social media. DEMA also continues to provide guidance to Industry members on applying for available government financial assistance.

All of us at DEMA are committed to providing the safest and most productive professional experiences for the Industry. We all look forward to the next stages of healthy recovery and to getting back to the activity and business we all love.