Congratulations to the 2023 Diving Community Champion Awards Recipients

 

Once again, we'd like to congratulate the 2022 Diving Community Champion Award recipients: 2023 Platinum Winner: Jr Scientists in the Sea (JSIS) 2023 Gold Winner: Dive Pirates Foundation 2023 Silver Winner: Tim Early Foundation Watch their awards videos to learn more about these businesses giving back to their communities and our industry.

WATCH JSIS' ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

WATCH RECIPIENT VIDEOS

Jessica Patterson Honored as DEMA’s 2023 Wave Makers Award Recipient

 

** Announcement Made at the 2023 DEMA Member Update and Annual Meeting ** The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association is pleased to announce that Jessica Patterson is the 2023 recipient of DEMA’s Wave Makers Award. The announcement was made at the DEMA Award’s Part DEMA Member Update and Annual Meeting on November 15, 2023. 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. The finalists for the 2023 Wave Makers Award included: Jon Brunson, JBO Production, Inc. Jessica Patterson, Ohana Dive Company Cynthia Rosselle, One Ocean Scuba 2023 DEMA Members selected Jessica Patterson as the 2023 Award recipient by viewing and voting for the finalist of their choice, based on the biographies and short videos that the finalists submitted.  JESSICA PATTERSON has been working with the Brevard Zoo for 5 years now as the Coordinator of the sea turtle Healing center. She has been a part of the Ohana team for a year now and she has been working with PADI to make Ohana an Eco diving center. Her passion for the ocean and turtle care is unmatched. Ohana has taken trips to South Florida and done educational tours of what she does at the zoo. She was invited to Atlantis in Nassau to help with the sick turtles at their aquarium. She does research for the turtles as well as bringing them back to health to be released. DEMA congratulates Jessica Patterson for her hard work and passionate service to our Industry and looks forward to seeing the contributions she will continue to make throughout her career.

Quarter 2 Diving Equipment Manufacturing Purchase Index (MPI) Data Now Available

 DEMA has released quarter 2 data for the Diving Equipment Manufacturing Purchase Index (MPI). The data includes New Orders and Inventories in key diving equipment Categories.

Data from the newly released MPI data covers quarter 2 (Q2) of 2023 and compares it to Q2 2022 and Q1 2023. The data is available in two different reports, Category and Equipment Type, both of which are available in the DEMA Store.

DEMA’s MPI is unique in that it captures aggregate trend data for New Orders and for Inventory in stock on a quarterly basis.  Participating manufacturers report to an independent third-party administrator (TPA) to ensure their data remains confidential and secure. Reporting consists of companies comparing their data points in the current reporting period to those in the previous quarter, as well as to the same quarter during the previous year. 

• New Orders: Reflects the levels of new orders received from customers.
• Inventories: Reflects the changes in inventory levels in stock at the time of the report.

Data is aggregated for all participating companies by the TPA and made available for review. No individual company data is reported. The reported data combines domestic (US) with international information.

For both New Orders and Inventory, the trend data in the available MPI report is read as a percentage from 0 to 100:

• An MPI reading equaling 50 percent indicates no change.
• An MPI reading of less than 50 percent indicates a contraction.
• An MPI greater than 50 percent indicates an expansion of new orders or inventories, as compared with the previous quarter or previous year.

The further from 50 percent (in either direction) the greater the level of change (trend) has occurred during the reporting period.

Aggregated data is available on both Equipment Type and Category. The Category definitions can be found within the report and include Soft Goods, Exposure Protection, Hard Goods and Accessories and Bags.  Each Category is further defined within the reports as Equipment Types, and include regulators, BCs, fins, masks, snorkels, wetsuits, drysuits, and more.

Reporting companies receive the aggregated data from the TPA that includes all the detailed Equipment Types in the Categories in which they report. These companies also earn seniority space selection points connected to DEMA Show, enabling them to select exhibit space at the Show before other, non-participating companies.  All DEMA Member Manufacturers selling equipment included in the study are eligible to participate.

DEMA Members can download the broad Category reports at no cost, and non-members can pay a non-member rate for this data.  DEMA Members also have access to more detailed Equipment Type data at member rates, while others can purchase this data at non-member rates. Both the Category and Equipment Type, both of which are available in the DEMA Store.

DEMA is excited to again make valid manufacturing data available for the Industry! For more information, see the MPI reports for Q2 2023.

Interested in participating? Apply to be part of the MPI here.

Slate Announced for 2024-2026 DEMA Board of Directors Election

DEMA is pleased to announce the nominees for the 2024-2026 DEMA Board of Directors are: 

Category A1 – Manufacturers, Distributors and Affiliated Field/Sales Representatives:

• Mike Hollis, PROASIA Design Co, Ltd. (Incumbent)
• Jason Leggatt, Shearwater Research Inc. 
• Patrick Danko, Garmin

Category A2 – Diver Certification and Training Agencies, and Affiliated Field/Sales Representative:

• Jeff Mondle, PADI Americas (Incumbent)

Category A3 – Dive Publishing, Media, Dive Industry Consulting, Associations & Non-Retail Service Providers:

• Jerry Beaty, Dive Training Magazine
• Jeffrey Bozanic, Next Generation Services
• Dan Orr, Dan Orr Consulting (Incumbent)

Category A4 – Retail Distribution of Diving Goods & Services:

• Richard Thomas, International Scuba
• Allison Fontaine-Trainor, Scuba Trainors, LLC dba Dive On It Scuba 

Category A5 – Dive Travel Provider or Resort:

• Jason Belport, Clearly Cayman Resorts
• Shana Phelan, Pura Vida Divers LLC 

DEMA Members interested in running in the 2024-2026 Board election can still be included on the ballot by becoming write in candidates. For further details and deadline information interested Members should complete the Board Election Write In Nominee Request.  

NOTE: Write-in candidates and those petitioning for them must be current 2023 DEMA Members AND must be renewed for 2024 by January 16, 2024, the date of record for the election. Deadline to petition for a write-in candidate is September 11, 2023. 

For membership information please contact membership@dema.org or (858) 616-6408. In accordance with the DEMA Bylaws, Directors serve three-year terms.  More information on DEMA's Board of Directors and Bylaws is available on DEMA.org.

Submit a Nomination for a Dive Business Making a Difference

DEMA is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Diving Community Champions Award. These annual awards recognize the good works of DEMA-Member companies and showcase their work that uses recreational diving to help their community. All DEMA-Member companies are eligible to submit a nomination to recognize other DEMA Members.

Honorees will be recognized at the Annual Membership Meeting taking place on November 15, 2023 during DEMA Show 2023 in New Orleans, LA.

Nominations for the Diving Community Champion Awards are being accepted until Monday, August 21, 2023.

Learn more, check out our 2022 recipients, and submit a nomination!

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

Nominate a Rockstar Employee for the 2023 Wave Makers Award

DEMA is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Wave Makers Award. These annual awards recognize new professionals in the diving industry who are rising to the top and making a difference in our industry. 

Honorees will be recognized at the Annual Membership Meeting taking place on November 15, 2023 during DEMA Show 2023 in New Orleans, LA.

Nominations for the Wave Makers Award are being accepted until Monday, August 21, 2023.

Learn more, check out our past recipients, and submit a nomination!

 

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

Help Us Fight Rising U.S. Insurance Rates by Joining the DIVE BOAT Act Social Media Campaign

 

DEMA continues to work with Members of the U.S. Congress and their staff to provide business operators with much-needed insurance premium relief, BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP in generating awareness and support for The DIVE BOAT Act.

We have created a series of social media campaign images and messages and ask that you share them with your social media followers, asking for their support of The DIVE BOAT Act.

Please download the materials and share start sharing them today!

ACCESS CAMPAIGN MATERIALS

DEMA Show 2023 Registration is Open!

 

** DEMA Members, Register by October 16th to Save with Early Bird Rates ** The entire global diving community is coming together this November for Big Opportunities in the Big Easy at DEMA Show, the Dive Industry’s only trade-exclusive event. Taking place November 14-17 in the Halls H-J of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA, qualified dive industry professionals will discover newly released products, grow with countless professional development opportunities, establish and nurture professional relationships, collaborate with industry colleagues and business experts, and celebrate our industry. Attendee registration for DEMA Show 2023 is now open— REGISTER NOW TO SAVE! To register, visit the official DEMA Show website. While there, visitors can review exhibitor listings and booth locations using the interactive floorplan, book a room in the Official DEMA Show Hotel Block, and find information about Show features like Show Specials, Exhibitor-Sponsored Seminars and DEMA-Sponsored Education ( both coming soon). Attendees can choose from three different packages when registering:  Education Package Exhibits-Only Package Friday-Only Immersion Pass. Each package varies in price and opportunities. You can view complete details on each by visiting DEMAShow.com. Current DEMA Members can save up to $125 on their DEMA Show Education Package over the non-member rate when registering on or before the early registration deadline of October 16, 2023. ACT NOW AND REGISTER TODAY! Visit DEMAShow.com for the latest details on DEMA Show education opportunities, Show-related activities, and other information as the Show approaches. To have DEMA Show news delivered directly to your email, subscribe to the email list for important Show news, announcements, opportunities, and updates.

Diving Equipment Manufacturing Purchase Index (MPI) Data Now Available

Working with DEMA’s Manufacturing Committee and several Member Manufacturers during the last two years, DEMA has developed a new manufacturing report that includes New Orders and Inventories in key diving equipment Categories. Data from the first Manufacturing Purchase Index (MPI) report, covering quarter 1 (Q1) of 2023 and comparing it to Q1 2022 and Q4 2022 is now available for download or purchase.

“This data is helpful to the entire diving industry, and those participating in this inaugural report period should be congratulated,” said Tom Ingram, DEMA President and CEO.  “The data is critical to manufacturers who have been without any valid order or inventory data since 2019 and is helpful to every sector of the diving industry, including training organizations, retailers, travel providers and consultants.” Ingram went on to say that “all members of the diving industry benefit because data from the MPI can be utilized by DEMA to help change or prevent the passage of proposed legislation that is detrimental to the Industry.” 

DEMA’s MPI is unique in that it captures aggregate trend data for New Orders and for Inventory in stock on a quarterly basis.  Participating manufacturers report to an independent third-party administrator (TPA) to ensure their data remains confidential and secure. Reporting consists of companies comparing their data points in the current reporting period to those in the previous quarter, as well as to the same quarter during the previous year.  

• New Orders: Reflects the levels of new orders received from customers.
• Inventories: Reflects the changes in inventory levels in stock at the time of the report.

Data is aggregated for all participating companies by the TPA and made available for review. No individual company data is reported. The reported data combines domestic (US) with international information.

For both New Orders and Inventory, the trend data in the available MPI report is read as a percentage from 0 to 100: 

• An MPI reading equaling 50 percent indicates no change. 
• An MPI reading of less than 50 percent indicates a contraction.
• An MPI greater than 50 percent indicates an expansion of new orders or inventories, as compared with the previous quarter or previous year.

The further from 50 percent (in either direction) the greater the level of change (trend) has occurred during the reporting period. 

Aggregated data is available on both Equipment Type and Category. The Category definitions can be found within the report and include Soft Goods, Exposure Protection, Hard Goods and Accessories and Bags.  Each Category is further defined within the reports as Equipment Types, and include regulators, BCs, fins, masks, snorkels, wetsuits, drysuits, and more.

Reporting companies receive the aggregated data from the TPA that includes all the detailed Equipment Types in the Categories in which they report. These companies also earn seniority space selection points connected to DEMA Show, enabling them to select exhibit space at the Show before other, non-participating companies.  All DEMA Member Manufacturers selling equipment included in the study are eligible to participate.

DEMA Members can download the broad Category reports at no cost, and non-members can pay a non-member rate for this data.  DEMA Members also have access to more detailed Equipment Type data at member rates, while others can purchase this data at non-member rates. Both the Category and Equipment Type reports are available in the DEMA Store.

DEMA is excited to again make valid manufacturing data available for the Industry! For more information, see the MPI reports for Q1 2023.

Interested in participating? Apply to be part of the MPI here.

Fighting to Ease Insurance Rates: WE NEED YOUR HELP & INPUT!

DEMA continues to work with Members of Congress and their staff to provide business operators with much needed insurance premium relief, BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP. 

As first reported last year, new and expanded liability requirements included in the Small Passenger Vessel Act (SPVA) are resulting in dramatic insurance spikes for operators around the country. The SPVA was touted as legislation to prevent future liveaboard tragedies. Instead, the final law did not include any safety provisions and instead, only expanded liability requirements for a subset of small passenger vessel operators. Sport fishing and cruise lines were exempted, and we understand day-boat operators and stores that charter boats or arrange boat travel are getting hit with significant insurance increases as well.

Considering feedback from our membership, DEMA engaged with insurance actuaries to develop compromise language for the SPVA. DEMA is working with leaders in both political parties to include the fix in “must pass” legislation. 

BUT WE NEED YOUR INPUT TO HELP FIGHT THIS! Please continue to share your own stories with us as you renew your insurance. We need to share this impact now so that we can leverage this information to help Congress understand the real-world impacts of their policy decisions on diving businesses in Washington, DC. If we do not share our stories, Congress will assume there is no impact in their local communities.

👉 Please share your business stories here. Your experience will be shared with policymakers and will help DEMA make a difference!

 

The Official Hotel Block for DEMA Show 2023 is Now Open

 **Block Offers Exclusive Savings and Benefits for DEMA Show Attendees & Exhibitors**

The DEMA Show Hotel Block is officially open! To help dive industry professionals keep their planning efforts on track for this year’s annual trade-only event for the Diving Industry, DEMA has contracted with five hotels convenient to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. By booking in DEMA’s hotel block the entire industry saves, as DEMA is able to use the occupation data to better negotiate convention center rates, nearby hotel block rates and transportation in any city, to everyone’s benefit. Start your planning for the Show, taking place November 14-17 in New Orleans, LA, by booking your room reservation in the DEMA Show Hotel Block, featuring exclusive exhibitor and attendee rates and benefits.

DEMA Show will feature the New Orleans Marriot as this year’s Host Hotel. The New Orleans Marriot is conveniently located within walking distance of Ernest N. Morial Convention Center – home to DEMA Show 2023. Those booking in DEMA’s block at the New Orleans Marriot will receive the special rates of $249 per night (single/double rooms)* at the New Orleans Marriot.

Other specially-priced DEMA Show hotel block rooms will also be available at:

• New Orleans Downtown Marriot at the Convention Center for $259/night (single/double)*
• Renaissance New Orleans Arts Hotel for $249/night (single/double)*
• Courtyard New Orleans Downtown/Convention Center for $225/night (single/double)*
• SpringHill Suites New Orleans Downtown for $237/night (single/double)*

*Plus applicable state and local taxes and fees. Additional information available here.

Those staying at any of the five hotels in the official hotel block will be entered into daily drawings on-site for a chance to win prizes including:

• The Full DEMA Show 2024 Package:
  • Two full conference passes
  • Hotel accommodations for a four-night stay in the DEMA Show 2024 Host hotel in Las Vegas (one room)

• Other prizes may include:
  • An all-inclusive dive trip for two
  • Visa gift cards
  • New Orleans-themed gift baskets
  • DEMA merchandise
  • New Orleans restaurants gift cards
  • Two complimentary conference passes to DEMA Show 2023
  • New Orleans experiences (local tours, shows, and more!)
    
    
• And much more—be sure to check back as the list of confirmed prizes is updated!

Shuttle service will be provided between select DEMA hotel block hotels and Halls G & F at the Shuttle Depot of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center from Tuesday, November 14th to Friday, November 17th for those staying in the Official DEMA Show housing block. If you need to arrange wheelchair-accessible transportation, please call (318) 208-4841 at least 60 minutes prior to pick-up. The shuttle schedule can be viewed here.

Reserve by Monday, October 16 to secure accommodations in the Official DEMA Show Hotel block (based on availability). Please advise that there are other shows staging in New Orleans during the dates of DEMA Show 2023. Hotel accommodations will be limited. Be sure to book EARLY to ensure you get a room and the best rates

DEMA Show registration is expected to open in early July. Be sure to subscribe to our weekly email newsletter, DEMAIL, to catch the announcement!

Tell Us About Your Experiences: Insurance Premium Surges

 

Your personal stories can help amend the new insurance liability provisions we first flagged last year. DEMA is working with Congress to make sure they understand how their policy decisions impact your business, and Congress is starting to listen!  We will share more about the productive conversations we are starting to have with policymakers in the weeks and months to come. In the meantime, it’s important that we continue to hear from you about how the new retroactive liability insurance requirements are impacting your business.  Please share your personal stories via the form below, so your experiences can be shared with policymakers.

 

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE

DEMA Publishes Most Recent Dive Consumer Survey Data

 ** Reports Help Members Understand Current Customer Behaviors and Activities **

In late 2022, DEMA launched the Diver Online Survey with the goal of updating diver behavioral and activity information of divers everywhere. DEMA and industry professionals asked diving customers both within the U.S. and internationally to participate.

More than 12,000 consumers responded to this survey, with about 6% coming from Canada, 56% from the U.S., and the remainder from countries across the globe.  The survey requests diving activity information from respondents through 2022 and is the first comprehensive diver behavioral survey following the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey specifically probed information about diving consumer behaviors and activities to help the diving industry understand more about these aspects of the recreational diver market. 

Two data sets are available on DEMA.org: 

1. An “All Countries” data set which includes 12,000 responses from divers who reside in many different countries around the world.
2. A data set that includes responses from divers residing in the U.S. only. 
   

DEMA extends its thanks to the DEMA-Member companies who helped obtain participation by their customers in order to obtain this important information.  With an estimated 5 - 6 million active scuba divers worldwide, the large sample size is helpful in obtaining the clearest picture possible for the state of the market.

The reports are available free to all DEMA Members, and can be purchased by non-members for $119.00 each. Members can obtain their free report by logging into their account on DEMA.org and downloading the report found under the "Market Research & Insights" section of their DEMA Member Dashboard. Non-members can purchase their report for download here.

DEMA Introduces 2023 Board of Directors

 The results of DEMA's 2023-2025 Board of Directors Election are in! Members of DEMA's 2023 Board of Directors include the following individuals:

A1-Manufacturing

• Mike Hollis, Pro Asia
• Tom Phillipp, XS Scuba, Inc*

A2-Diver Certification and Training Agencies

• Tom Leaird, Scuba Educators International**
• Jeff Mondle, PADI Americas

A3-Dive Publishing, Media, Consulting and Non-Retail Service Providers

• William Cline, Cline Group Advertising, Inc**
• Dan Orr, Dan Orr Consulting

A4-Retailers

• Jeffrey Cinciripino, Scuba Shack Diving Services*
• Patrick Hammer, Dive Right In Scuba, Inc.

A5-Travel & Resorts

• Bradley Barnett, Clearly Cayman Dive Resorts
• Steve Weaver, Dream Weaver Travel**

*Elected in 2023
**Reelected in 2023

In accordance with the DEMA Bylaws, Directors serve three-year terms. Additional information on DEMA's Board of Directors and Bylaws is available on DEMA.org. The election was conducted by CPA firm, Gray, Proctor & McMannis, based in Newport Beach, CA. All A-category DEMA Members who had joined or renewed their DEMA Membership for 2023 by January 17, 2023 were eligible to vote in this election. The final vote count is available to DEMA Members who are logged into the Members-Only Dashboard of www.dema.org.

Congratulations to all of DEMA's Directors! In the coming weeks, the Board will meet to conduct officer elections, form committees and select individuals to chair them. Contact us at toll free (800) 862-DIVE (3483), (858) 616-6408 or info@dema.org if you have any questions or are interested in serving on one of the DEMA Board committees. Additional Committee information can be found online here. Thank you for your continued support!

ALERT: New Law Threatens Dive Operators & Their Employees

 As you know, in December DEMA asked you to reach out to Congress in an urgent attempt to repeal a brand-new liability requirement imposed on small vessel operators, which is already causing the cost of passenger vessel liability insurance to substantially increase, and threatening to put many operators throughout the industry out of business.

The liability requirement was included in the recently passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Lawmakers had been led to believe that Section 11503 of the NDAA was simply a “fix for the families who lost loved ones” in the tragic Conception Dive Boat fire of 2019.  But the new law goes far beyond one tragedy – it lines the pockets of trial lawyers and does nothing to make sure dive boats are operating safely.  Already, the cost of passenger vessel liability insurance has started increasing substantially, threatening the business of many dive operators.

 

There is still hope for a repeal. A brand-new Congress has been seated. We need your help to educate them about the ramifications of this new law and persuade them to repeal it.  If we come together as an industry, we CAN minimize businesses losses and prevent layoffs.

 

Why Does It Matter?

The liability requirement will have a cost impact on YOUR business.  Either directly (because you operate a small passenger vessel for diving) or indirectly (because you contract with a dive vessel for travel or instruction)—YOUR BUSINESS COSTS WILL INCREASE.

 

Dive vessel operators:
Dive vessel operators around the country started reporting exponential increases in their premiums in December 2022 as insurers cited this new law.

 

Businesses that contract with dive vessel operators:
With unfathomable increases in insurance premiums, dive vessel operators will have no choice but to increase their rates with YOU.

 

What Can You Do?

We ask that you reach out to your two US Senators and US House Representative and educate them about the true impact of the law on both your business and the industry as whole.  Below is a sample script to help guide you in your conversation with lawmakers. DEMA has also attached background information to help you better understand what is happening and why. 

Please Contact your US House Representative and Senators by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121

The outline below provides the simple steps to follow:

1. Call the US Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121, give the operator your state or zip code, and ask them to connect you. They can help you identify your Senators & US Representative.
   
   
2. If you are able to connect with someone on the phone, suggested talking points are below. If needed, you may also leave a voicemail.
   
   
   • Hello, my name is __________ from __________ (city / state). May I speak to the staffer who handles Coast Guard issues?
     
     
   • I’m calling today because buried in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act that passed in December is a new liability requirement that is devastating MY small business.
     
     
   • Section 11503 was touted as a “fix for the families who lost loved ones” in the tragic Conception Dive Boat fire of 2019. But the provision goes far beyond this one tragedy.
     
     
   • Section 11503 IMPACTS ALL SMALL VESSEL operators. It DOES NOTHING to improve safety standards. It just requires me to increase liability insurance in case I get sued AFTER an accident.  

     Note: If you have a personal story about the costs you are facing, please share it – e.g., we know of a dive boat operator facing $160K insurance increase for a $2.2M operation .

   • This is just a payday for the plaintiffs’ lawyers at the expense of my small operation and our employees. I am asking you and your boss to Please REPEAL Section 11503 of the 2023 NDAA IMMEDIATELY.
     
     
   • At a time when I’m already facing increased costs because of inflation – my employees and I need Congress to repeal this ill-conceived requirement. Without a repeal, we may not be able to operate – or forced to lay off employees, which makes no one safer!
     
     
3. You can also click here and enter your zip code if you would like to email your US Representative. US Senators are listed here by state.

Additional information and background on the new law can be found here.