DEMA Opens Nominations for the 2020 Diving Community Champion Awards

 ** Deadline to submit a nomination is Monday, September 14, 2020 **

DEMA’s 2020 Diving Community Champions Awards will once again recognize the good works of DEMA-Member companies and showcase the recreational diving community to the general public.  All DEMA-Member companies are eligible to submit a nomination to recognize other DEMA Members, and honorees will be recognized during DEMA Show Online.

This year, 2020 has presented the industry and diving community with various health and social issues, and the 2020 Diving Community Champions Awards aims to recognize DEMA Member companies who have found unique ways to give back to their communities and society through recreational diving during these unprecedented times.

Nominations for the Diving Community Champion Awards are open now, until September 14, 2020.  Nominations can be submitted by any current DEMA Member company, and nominees must be current A-class DEMA Members.  For more information and to submit a nomination, click here.

DEMA Calls for Nominations for the 2020 Wave Makers Award

 **Finalists and 2020 Recipient to be Honored During DEMA Show Online**

DEMA will once again recognize new professionals in the diving industry who are employed by (or own) a DEMA-Member business with the 2020 Wave Makers Award! 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. Nominations for the 2020 Wave Makers Award will be accepted until Monday, September 14, 2020. All finalists will be recognized, and the final honoree announced during DEMA Show Online.

Wave Makers are employees or owners of DEMA-Member businesses who have been involved as a professional in the Diving Industry for 60 months or less and who should be recognized for their contributions to the industry, a dive business, and DEMA.  A complete overview of the criteria to qualify can be found here. Member professionals who have been active with DEMA by attending DEMA Show, serving on a committee or task force, or volunteering for the Go Dive Now Pool, or other activities related to DEMA, can qualify.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION in any of the following categories: Contribution to DEMA’s Mission, Providing Business or Community Service, or Contributing to Dive Industry Growth.

The Wave Makers selection process for 2020 will be as follows:

1. DEMA Members nominate a potential honoree, using the established criteria. 
2. The Awards Committee reviews these nominees, narrowing the field to the top candidates.
3. The top candidates are notified and asked to create a one-minute video about what they envision for the future of the association and/or the diving industry.
4. The videos are then shared on social media, and DEMA asks members to view them prior to DEMA Show and vote on DEMA.org for the Wave Makers winner for 2020.
5. Only DEMA Members can vote, as a log-in to the DEMA website and Member-only voting page will be required.
6. Each of the top candidates’ self-made videos will be played during DEMA Show Online 

Nominations are open now until September 14, 2020!  Finalists and the new professional chosen as the 2020 Wave Maker will be honored during DEMA Show Online.

DEMA Announces Virtual Event: DEMA Show Online

 

As previously announced, DEMA Show 2020 will not take place this November in New Orleans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the industry will not be able to convene for a face-to-face DEMA Show, DEMA is pleased to announce details for an exciting new virtual event that will provide the industry with the opportunity to connect, learn, and grow: DEMA Show Online. DEMA Show Online will feature both an on-going virtual education series and a four-day virtual trade show and vendor networking event.

Kicking off on September 15, 2020 and continuing into November, DEMA Show Online’s education series will offer new online education opportunities weekly to registrants. Included will be countless options for on-demand sessions, LIVE education, “office hours” with speakers, DEMA-sponsored sessions, Exhibitor-sponsored sessions, and more.

From November 17-20, 2020, DEMA Show Online will host a four-day virtual trade show and vendor networking event. This four-day virtual event will feature an opening keynote speaker, opportunities to network with exhibitors, DEMA-sponsored education sessions, exhibitor-sponsored education sessions, access to the New Product Showcase, the 2020 DEMA Member Meeting & Update, 2020 Diving Community Champion Presentation, Wave Maker Award Presentation, and much more.

A complete schedule and registration options will be posted shortly. Make sure you are subscribed to DEMA’s weekly DEMAIL, so you don’t miss the announcement! 

Order Custom Branded Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Your Business

Whether you want to provide your employees with protective gear or be able to offer/sell custom branded PPE to your customers, DEMA has partnered with Jack Nadel International to provide you with many PPE products at great prices. Click here to browse the list of products, many with custom branding available! Help keep your employees, customers, and workplace safe as we navigate the impact of COVID-19 together.

COVID-19 Resources & Support Available to the Entire Industry

The COVID-19 pandemic has created countless challenges for our industry and businesses. In an effort to provide support and work together to navigate these challenges, DEMA has compiled a collection of resources available to the entire industry. Among these resources, you will find: COVID-19 Updates The Retail Reopening Guide Series Online Business Seminars and Webinars HR, Business, and Marketing Resources Free Shareable Images to Use During COVID-19 Member-to-Member Ideas During Tough Times Home Schooling Resources And much more! Access these resources today.

Important Announcement Regarding DEMA Show 2020

The DEMA Board of Directors has determined that, for the safety and financial well-being of DEMA attendees and exhibitors, DEMA Show 2020 will not take place this November in New Orleans. Importantly, DEMA Show 2021 will take place in person as scheduled from Tuesday, November 16 to Friday, November 19, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada, with additional measures taken to ensure the health and safety of all. Future in-person DEMA Shows will take place as listed here.

While the industry will not be able to convene for a face-to-face DEMA Show this November, DEMA will connect with the diving community to engage in a unique and creative way beginning in September 2020. DEMA will announce details in the coming weeks, and we look forward to providing a great community learning and engagement opportunity for all diving professionals using tools that are well suited for the current business environment.

DEMA Show 2020 Exhibitors who have made payments toward their exhibit space have options with regard to this change, including obtaining discounted exhibit space and additional seniority space selection points for DEMA Show 2021 in Las Vegas. Click here for more details. Please note: These offers are for Exhibitors who have already made deposits towards their DEMA Show 2020 booth (i.e., does not apply to contracted/zero-paid exhibitors).

We look forward to connecting in new and valuable ways throughout 2020 and beyond! In the meantime, subscribe to DEMA’s email lists to stay updated on the ways DEMA can work for you during these challenging times. Above all, be safe, stay healthy, and let’s get back to business!

Retail Reopening Guide Series Available from DEMA

As the U.S. federal government, states and local governments consider a post-COVID-19 economy, retailers are seeking ways to protect customers and employees, while safely reopening their businesses. DEMA's new Retailer Reopening Series includes guidance broken down into three phases: 

1.  Reopening Phase I: Considerations for E-commerce, Contactless Curbside Pickup & At-home Delivery and other topics common to all phases of reopening
    
2. Reopening Phase II: Re-opening with Social Distancing and Reduced Occupancy 
3. Reopening: Phase III: The New Normal - Establish Protection, then Lift Restrictions

Phase I and Phase II are now available for download. Click here to access the guides today!