Volunteers Needed for Research Testing: DEMA Purchasing Managers' Index

DEMA is conducting a study to determine if collecting retail data in a confidential and easy-to-use manner is feasible. The study is referred to as a Purchasing Managers' Index, and specifically requests data from DEMA Retailer (A4-Category) Member store inventory buyers; the person most closely associated with maintaining store inventory. We are asking for volunteers to participate in a pilot-version of the program to determine if collecting this data is possible, and useful. Participation in this effort will help DEMA determine if appropriate data can be made available to DEMA members to help them understand their businesses, including business cycles and the health of the industry. The application deadline is Tuesday, May 28, 2019.

LEARN MORE & APPLY TODAY

DEMA Board of Directors to Meet for Conference Call on May 2nd

DEMA’s 2019 Board of Directors will convene during a conference call on May 2nd for the second Board Meeting of the year. Topics of discussion will focus on ways to help grow the Industry and maximize DEMA’s benefits for Members.

The Board meeting will begin by voting to approve the “consent agenda,” a Robert’s Rules of Order device used to obtain “general consent” intended to expedite approval of routine items. The Board is provided consent agenda items in advance of the Board Meeting, allowing them to study the documents in detail prior to the meeting, and permitting approval without additional discussion.  Consent agendas help the Board spend its limited meeting time discussing forward-thinking items; policy and strategic issues that demand its attention.

For May’s meeting, the consent agenda includes:

• DEMA 2019 Q1 Dashboard
• 2019 Q1 Financial Summary and Manufacturer’s Fund Report
• DEMA Show 2019 Update
• 2019 Q1 Membership Update
• 2019 Q1 Research Committee Minutes
• 2019 Q1 Public Policy Committee Report
• 2019 Q1 Emerging Leaders Task Force Minutes
• 2019 Q1 Go Dive Now Report

Following approval of the consent agenda, the Board will conduct a review of the current fiscal and membership year. The conference call will conclude with the Board covering any new business or consent agenda items that may require further discussion.

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. The next Board of Directors Meeting will be held on August 15th and 16th.

DEMA Advocates for Diving Industry Issues in Washington, D.C.

** President & CEO Ingram Meets with Legislative Offices to Discuss Diving Industry Issues **

During the week of March 25th, DEMA President & CEO Tom Ingram met with several lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to discuss important environmental and non-profit tax issues that impact DEMA Members. The meetings were part of DEMA’s ongoing public policy efforts on behalf of the Diving Industry.

Tom Ingram met with the office of Florida Representative Daniel Webster to discuss HR 788 Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act of 2019. Webster is the sponsor of this bill, which would establish a certification process to ensure that foreign nations engaging in shark trade, into or through the United States, conserve and manage populations of sharks in a manner that is comparable to regulatory programs in the United States. This would effectively prohibit the practice of removing shark fins and discarding the carcass at sea.

DEMA supports bills that help protect sharks, including federal bill HR 788.  In addition to discussing this bill, DEMA also discussed with Representative Webster’s office the need for mooring buoys and other protections that are helpful to natural and artificial reefs.

Ingram also met with the offices of California Federal Representatives Judy Chu and Scott Peters, and Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris to discuss a tax issue important to all non-profit organizations in the U.S., including non-profit DEMA Members.  Under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), a new tax is being levied on non-profits that provide various fringe benefits to their employees.  This new 21-percent unrelated business income tax (UBIT) on tax-exempt employers requires tax-exempt organizations to self-value these benefits to determine their new tax liability, navigate a burdensome administrative process to properly file these taxes (a first for most non-profits), and divert mission-oriented funds that would otherwise support communities across the country.  On average, the tax burden for these non-profit organizations is about $12,000.

DEMA met with Representatives and Senators asking them to repeal this portion of the current tax structure.  As of this writing, there is a House and a companion Senate bill to repeal these tax obligations called the “LIFT for Charities Act."  

Lessen Impediments from Taxes (LIFT) for Charities Act (H.R. 1545 / S. 632)
Chamber:	House – H.R. 1545
Lead Champion:	Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC)
Cosponsors: (as of 3/27/19)	Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC) Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) Rep. James Johnson (R-LA) Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX)	Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL) Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS)	Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA) Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX)
Chamber:	Senate – S. 632
Lead Champion:	Sen. James Lankford (R-OK)
Cosponsors:	Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE)	Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)	Sen. Angus King (I-ME)
(as of 3/27/19)	Sen. Joshua Hawley (R-MO)

As this tax issue could impact all non-profit DEMA members, particularly those that supply fringe benefits that include parking and transportation benefits to their employees, DEMA suggests discussing this tax provision with tax preparers as soon as possible.

DEMA continues to monitor legislation that impacts the Diving Industry through the DEMA Public Policy Committee.  Members with interest in working with the Public Policy Committee should apply to participate by completing the Public Policy Committee application. 

DEMA Opens Official Hotel Block for DEMA Show 2019 in Orlando, FL

**Block Offers Exclusive Savings and Benefits for DEMA Show 2019 Attendees and 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 several hotels convenient to the Orange County Convention Center.  Start your planning for the Show, taking place November 13-16 in Orlando, FL, by booking your room reservation in the DEMA Show Hotel Block, featuring exclusive exhibitor and attendee rates and benefits.

DEMA Show will again feature the Rosen Centre Hotel as this year’s Host Hotel.  The Rosen Centre is conveniently located next to the West Hall of Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center – home to DEMA Show 2019.  Those booking in DEMA’s block at the Rosen Centre will receive special rates at the Rosen Centre of  $199 per night* (single/double rooms plus 13.5% tax).  Other specially-priced DEMA hotel block rooms will also be available at the DoubleTree Hotel for $159/night (single/double room plus 12.5% tax)  and the Days Inn for $103/night (single/double room plus 12.5% tax).

Shuttle bus service will be available to those booking through within the official hotel block through DEMAShow.com. All three DEMA block hotels (Rosen Centre, DoubleTree Hotel and Days Inn) are also nearby and within walking distance to the West halls.

A SPECIAL CAUTION!  DEMA would like to caution attendees and exhibitors to be wary when booking accommodations through unauthorized third-party vendors claiming to work with DEMA Show.  These unauthorized vendors are often room “pirates” and though they typically offer what appears to be a lower rate than the official DEMA block rate, room reservations may be offered at significantly lower quality and may not be available for the duration of your planned stay.  Also, cancellation policies with these “pirates” are often harsh and unforgiving, resulting in loss of fees or other penalties. Booking within the official DEMA Hotel Block also allows DEMA to negotiate exclusive rates for DEMA Show attendees and exhibitors in the locations most convenient to the convention center.  Help DEMA keep everyone’s hotel costs down for DEMA Show by booking within DEMA’s official hotel block.

The Need for Marine Life Protection Highlighted at DEMA Dive In Day

** Florida Legislators and DEMA Members Connect on Shark Finning and Sunscreen Bills **

On March 20th, DEMA President & CEO Tom Ingram and DEMA Legislative Advocate Bob Harris met with Florida Legislators to discuss several bills proposed that, if enacted, would help protect marine life in that state.  The meetings were part of DEMA’s annual Dive In Day at the Capitol. This annual event showcases recreational diving’s importance to Florida’s economy by encouraging DEMA Members to exhibit inside the Tallahassee Florida Capitol building entrance hall and to speak with Florida lawmakers. There is no cost for DEMA Members to exhibit or participate.

Seven DEMA Member companies exhibited in the capitol building this year, displaying a diversity of products and services.  DEMA is thankful to the following companies for their exhibit participation, and participation in the Dive In Day program:

Artificial Reefs International

Eternal Reefs

Florida Public Archaeology Network

Force Blue

National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI)

Red Alert Diving

Reef Safe

Bob Harris and Tom Ingram met with several lawmakers and their staff members, asking them to support key bills in Florida; SB 708, prohibiting the sale of sunscreens containing coral-damaging oxybenzone and octinoxate, and House Bill (HB) 99 and its Senate companion Bill (SB) 352, prohibiting the sale of shark find and ray parts in the state.  DEMA issued Public Policy Alerts, including links to research on the sunscreen issue, earlier in the month.

During Dive In Day, Harris and Ingram met with:

• Representative Toby Overdorf, Stuart, FL
•  Senator Jeff Brandes, St. Petersburg, FL
•  Senator Travis Hutson, Palm Coast, FL
•  Representative Spencer Roach, Fort Myers, FL
•  Senator Linda Stewart, Orlando, FL

The research and economic impact of the diving community were of great interest to all these lawmakers, and we thank them for their time and interest as DEMA offered support for protecting the Florida marine environment. 

Unfortunately for the Florida diving community, these bills look unlikely to pass in the current Florida legislative session but are likely to be raised again later in 2019.  It remains critical for the diving industry to keep watch on these issues so we can help get them across the finish line as soon as possible.

Cline Research and DEMA Release Study on New Diving Professionals

** Study Available for All: Data Helps Industry Understand New Professionals **

A new research study published by DEMA and conducted by William Cline of the Cline Research Group is being made available to all members of the diving industry.  The goal of the study was to learn more about getting new (and often younger) professionals involved with the Diving Industry, DEMA Show and the DEMA Association. 

In a study that combined a written survey with a face-to-face focus group, DEMA asked new diving professionals to express their opinions about the future of the Industry and the value of DEMA Show and the DEMA Association.  Forty new professionals responded to the written survey, and nine new professionals attended a face-to-face group study during DEMA Show 2018.

Important findings from the focus group study include:

•  New professionals believe that the industry will grow in the future as younger customers are exposed to the experiences inherent in recreational diving.
•  Networking, connections, updating, innovation, social opportunities, knowledge, and face-to-face interaction are important to new professionals in their DEMA Show and Industry experiences.
•  Motivations for attending DEMA Show included networking, seeing new products and innovations in diving, and obtaining professional education.
• Data is critical to new professionals.  They describe themselves as “data hungry.”
•  New professionals, and especially younger new professionals, want an advanced education – Marketing 202 instead of Marketing 101.
• Critically, participants in the focus group felt that DEMA and DEMA Show could provide the resources to bridge the current generational gap – specifically by providing educational opportunities and social interaction between the generations.
• New professionals see the experiences of current industry members as an asset to everyone and want to learn from these experienced professionals. They also see themselves as a resource for new technologies and ideas. 

Topics in the study also include ways to communicate with new and younger professionals and the new professionals’ desire for mentorships that help bridge innovation and experience.

Download the full report at no cost from DEMA today!

DEMA, the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association, is an international, non-profit trade association with the mission of bringing businesses together to grow the diving industry worldwide.  DEMA owns and producesDEMA Show, an annual trade-only event for businesses in the scuba diving, action watersports and adventure/dive-travel industries.  DEMA Show 2019 will take place November 13-16 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. For more information on DEMA and affiliated programs visit DEMA.org or contact (858) 616-6408.  Stay updated by following “DEMAOrg” on Facebook and Twitter.

Cline Group is a scuba diving industry marketing and research firm and a proud member of DEMA. www.williamcline.com.

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.