New Promotional Images Just Added to the Go Dive Now Member Toolkit!

DEMA has just added new Go Dive Now promotional images to the Go Dive Now Member Toolkit. These exciting new images were donated by fellow industry professionals to the Go Dive Now campaign and are FREE for DEMA Members to download. They are a great way to promote the ease (and fun!) of becoming a certified diver. Entice potential customers with this captivating imagery on your website, throughout your social media pages, and within your emails.

Log in today to access these and other free Go Dive Now campaign resources!

YOUR COMMENTS AND HELP ARE NEEDED: Submit Comments Regarding Port Everglades Dredging Project

In the wake of the  Port Everglades dredging delay, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is encouraging the public to provide input as part of an updated analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the Port Everglades navigation improvements project. These meetings come in part because the Corps has delayed the start of the dredging project until a new environmental study is completed.  The new environmental study is being conducted as a response to a federal lawsuit filed by DEMA, along with several environmental organizations, requesting the new environmental studies be completed before the planned dredging project to expand Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, FL commences. 

 An open comment period started in late September and will end March 24, 2017.

The Corps’ Jacksonville District and Port Everglades will host two scoping meetings:

• February 22 at 2:00 p.m.
• February 22 at 6:00 p.m.

Both meetings will take plan in Hall B, rooms 113/114 at the Broward County Convention Center 1950 Eisenhower Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL. 33316. Sign-in and poster sessions start at 2 and 6 p.m., with presentations at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. respectively, followed by a question and comment period. The Corps will share new information and address all submitted written comments in a draft supplemental NEPA document.

DEMA asks that all members of the diving community attend one of these scoping meetings, or submit written comments in favor of the new study, citing the value of the reefs to divers, diving businesses and the entire community, and including data on the need to protect the living coral reef.

Members of the Diving Community unable to attend a meeting can send comments directly to terri.jordan-sellers@usace.army.mil or:Jacksonville District Corps of Engineers
Attn: Planning Division - Terri Jordan Sellers
701 San Marco BoulevardJacksonville, FL 32207-8175

Your comments should be copied to publicpolicy@dema.org. DEMA will also submit written comments directly to the Corps.

All Port Everglades documents are located at http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Navigation/Navigation-Projects/Port-Everglades/.

The Corps has agreed to reassess its Port Everglades environmental analysis because of new environmental information available about the widespread and unanticipated damage incurred during a similar dredging project at nearby PortMiami and new, local coral species recently added to the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) list.

In Miami, the dredging proved disastrous for the coral reefs in the area. For the PortMiami project, the Corps had assumed there would be minimal impacts to coral, but instead fine-grained sediment from the project harmed tens of thousands of coral colonies and over 250 acres of reef designated as “critical habitat” for the ESA-listed staghorn corals. The National Marine Fisheries Service assessed the area and determined that 95% of the surveyed reef is no longer suitable habitat for corals, and some of the damaged reef will never recover naturally.

The Port Everglades dredging, which was planned to begin in 2017, is now expected to be on hold until at least 2019 while the new environmental analyses are conducted.

Port Everglades Expansion Dredging Delayed

** Corps Commits to Conduct New Environmental Studies Before Port Everglades Expansion Dredging Begins **

In response to a federal lawsuit filed by DEMA, along with several environmental organizations, the US Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to conduct new environmental studies before starting its planned dredging project to expand Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  DEMA and the additional environmental organizations, filed suit in federal court in Southern Florida in August, 2016 seeking protections for coral reefs in the Fort Lauderdale area. The corals in and around Port Everglades are threatened by the proposed port expansion project which was initiated to make way for larger, Panama-canal sized vessels. 

While the Corps conducts new studies, plaintiffs, DEMA and a group of environmental organizations have agreed to put a temporary hold on their federal Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act lawsuit over the planned dredging. The Corps’ dredging plan failed to account for damage to nearby, fragile coral reefs.

The Corps has agreed to reassess its Port Everglades environmental analysis because of new environmental information available about the widespread and unanticipated damage incurred during a similar dredging project at nearby PortMiami and new, local coral species recently added to the federal Endangered Species Act list.

In Miami, the dredging proved disastrous for the coral reefs in the area. For the PortMiami project, the Corps had assumed there would be minimal impacts to coral, but instead fine-grained sediment from the project harmed tens of thousands of coral colonies and over 250 acres of reef designated as “critical habitat” for the ESA-listed staghorn corals. The National Marine Fisheries Service assessed the area and determined that 95% of the surveyed reef is no longer suitable habitat for corals, and some of the damaged reef will never recover naturally.

“The devastating coral damage discovered after the PortMiami dredging gives us all pause. It is a good reason for the Corps to go back to the drawing board and learn from its mistakes in Miami,” said Brettny Hardy, an attorney at Earthjustice, lawyers for plaintiffs in the case. “Under the law, a proper analysis must be done before further taxpayer dollars are spent on this potentially devastating project.”

The Port Everglades dredging, which was planned to begin in 2017, is now expected to be on hold until at least 2019 while the new environmental analyses are conducted.

“The Corps’ and NMFS’ prior environmental analyses simply ignored evidence from PortMiami that showed estimated impacts from dredging near corals are significantly more harmful and widespread than expected.” said Rachel Silverstein, executive director and waterkeeper of Miami Waterkeeper. “The current environmental statements do not reflect ‘best available science’, which is the legal standard for agency decision-making, and therefore, they must be redone.”

“Coral and coastal Floridians will benefit from the Corps pumping the brakes on this massive project,” said Jaclyn Lopez, Florida director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “We have to learn from our mistakes and do what’s right for our irreplaceable coastal resources.”

“We will remain vigilant as this process moves forward to ensure full compliance with the law and protection of our irreplaceable coral reefs,” said Manley Fuller, president of the Florida Wildlife Federation.

Each year, snorkeling and scuba diving in Florida account for almost 9 million visitor-days, create almost 30,000 full-time equivalent tourism-related jobs, and contribute hundreds of millions of dollars directly to the Florida economy.

“The reefs provide huge environmental and economic benefits to South Florida. This is a positive step for the entire recreational diving community, especially in Fort Lauderdale, which depends upon a healthy reef environment” said Tom Ingram, President and CEO of DEMA. “DEMA is determined to help protect the natural reef from destruction so that many generations to come can continue to enjoy the opportunity to see, first-hand, this unique and precious natural resource.”

Earthjustice is representing Miami Waterkeeper, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Florida Wildlife Federation, and the Diving Equipment and Manufacturing Association (DEMA). Jim Porter of James M. Porter, P.A. is representing Miami Waterkeeper. Bob Harris of Messer Caparello, P.A is representing DEMA in the lawsuit.

The Corps will hold two public meetings to explore the scope of the project. The meetings are at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Feb. 22 at Broward County Convention Center, 1950 Eisenhower Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, 33316. Public presentations are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., with a Q&A period to follow. Anyone with questions about the meetings should contact Terri Jordan-Sellers at (904) 232-1817 or at Terri.Jordan-Sellers@usace.army.mil.

DEMA Sponsored Education Sessions Now Available Online!

DEMA Show Attendees who purchased a DEMA Show Seminar Package now have access to all 24 video recordings of the DEMA Sponsored Education Sessions. These recorded sessions are the perfect opportunity to revisit your favorite session or watch one you weren't able to attend.

ANNUAL MEETING DETAILS REQUEST ACCESS NOW

DEMA's Post-Show Surveys Help Improve DEMA Show for Years to Come

**DEMA Show 2016 Attendees and Exhibitors are Asked to Provide Feedback on Their Show Experience**

Every year, DEMA Show provides numerous opportunities for Attendees and Exhibitors to do great business together by providing hundreds of exhibits, products, services, educational sessions and more. Now, DEMA is asking for DEMA Show Attendees and Exhibitors to provide their feedback and ideas to help take DEMA Show to the next level! 

Input from Attendees and Exhibitors is invaluable as it helps the Association create a better Show in the years to come. Past feedback has helped guide the Association when developing features and content, evaluating speakers and contractors and choosing housing, transportation and other venue offerings. DEMA asks all 2016 Attendees and Exhibitors to complete the Post-DEMA Show Survey via the links below:

DEMA Show 2016 Attendees are invited to provide their feedback on the Show here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DS16Attendee

DEMA Show 2016 Exhibitors are also invited to provide their feedback on the Show here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DS16Exhibitor

Deadline to submit your feedback is January 31, 2017. All participants who complete the survey and provide complete contact information will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card and receive a DEMA Show 2016 t-shirt (while supplies last; one shirt per respondent). Those providing their home address will be entered into a second drawing for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card.

As a non-profit organization, DEMA uses the resources generated by DEMA Show to fund research, legislative scanning and advocacy, education and more.  DEMA extends its THANKS to the entire Industry for helping to make DEMA Show a continuing success! DEMA Show will return to Orlando, FL in 2017 from November 1-4. 

DEMA Thanks the Diving Industry for their Participation in DEMA Show 2016

** Thousands of Industry Professionals from Every Segment of the Diving Industry Came Together at Trade-Only Show to Buy, Learn and Collaborate **

DEMA is pleased to say THANK YOU to the more than 9,500 pre-qualified dive professionals who registered for DEMA’s 40th annual DEMA Show, and more than 600 exhibiting companies who made DEMA Show successful.  The trade-only Show was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV from November 16th to 19th, 2016.   

DEMA Show 2016 provided many opportunities for Attendees and Exhibitors to do great business together by providing hundreds of exhibits, products, services, educational sessions and more.  Verified attendance figures, which are obtained from electronic scans of Attendee and Exhibitor badges, confirm that over 8,200 Industry Professionals entered and participated in the Show during its four days. The Show’s long-standing credentialing process established by the Board of Directors, helped confirm that the Show maintained a trade-only atmosphere, welcoming highly qualified Buyers and Influencers.

During the four days of DEMA Show 2016, Exhibitors hosted thousands of Attendees in their booths to showcase their latest products, programs and services.  DEMA’s video production partner, 506 Studio, has captured the excitement of the action-packed days of DEMA Show 2016 in a series of videos highlighting the Show.  In honor of the Show’s 40th Anniversary, all Attendees and Exhibitors were asked to “Share Your Story.” Participants were interviewed on camera to share their first and favorite DEMA Show moments. More than 160 stories were shared and captured during this year’s event.

DEMA extends its THANKS to the entire Industry for the continuing success of DEMA Show! Looking toward the future, DEMA Show will be returning to Orlando, FL from November 1-4 in 2017. DEMA continues to look at additional venues for future shows, using key factors of Exhibitor and Attendee cost and venue availability.  A complete overview of how DEMA Show venues are selected is available here.

Funds raised through DEMA Show (and all events produced by DEMA) are used to help the industry, including monitoring legislation, advocating for environmental and economic issues, promoting recreational diving, keeping dive sites open and accessible to divers, providing DEMA-Member access to benefit programs such as the promotional program Go Dive Now, and conducting research on behalf of the Industry.  With this year’s strong DEMA Show participation, DEMA can continue its mission of bringing businesses together to grow the diving industry.

2017 DEMA Board of Directors Election Deadlines Announced

** Ballot packets have been mailed to all current 2017 DEMA Members **

DEMA has announced that its 2017 Board of Directors election will take place from December 19, 2016 to January 27, 2017. All 2017 DEMA Members are eligible to vote – join DEMA by 4:00pm Pacific Time on January 6, 2017 to become eligible to participate in the 2017 Board of Directors Election.

DEMA's 2017 Board of Directors Election candidates are: 

• Category A1 – Manufacturers, Distributors and Affiliated Field/Sales Representatives:
• Mike Hollis, Aqua Lung
• Category A2 – Diver Certification and Training Agencies, and Affiliated Field/Sales Representative:
• Dallas Edmiston, NAUI
• Category A3 – Dive Publishing, Media, Dive Industry Consulting, Associations & Non-Retail Service Providers:
• Linda Sue Dingel, Bonnier Corporation
• Dan Orr, Dan Orr Consulting
• Category A4 – Retail Distribution of Diving Goods & Services:
• Bill Cole, Sea Experience
• Davis Graham, Texas Dive Center
• Pat  Hammer, Scuba Emporium
• Myra Kurn, Ocean Enterprises, Inc.

·        Category A5 – Dive Travel Provider or Resort:  

• Jenny Collister, Reef & Rainforest Dive & Adventure Travel
  
•  Stuart Cove, Stuart Cove's Dive Bahama

All A-category DEMA Members who pay their 2017 dues by 4:00PM Pacific Time on January 6, 2017 will be eligible to vote in this election.  DEMA encourages Members to consider each candidate carefully and to vote for the candidate in each category that meets industry needs as perceived by the individual Member.   

CLICK HERE TO JOIN FOR 2017  

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