I hate to disagree with Natasha, I however have been going to DEMA for about 18 years. This years floor is approx. 75% of last years floor space at Miami AND about 75% of the vendors are travel related so without a doubt this is more of a travel show than previously. Several good friends (vendors) are very concerned at this point as traffic was described as "very light". They are hoping for a better day tommorrow. We had a "cold front" blow throught this afternoon that brought in a little rain but it should be sunny and in the 70's the rest of the week
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As far as equipment mfg.'s present -Oceanic, Aeris, Tusa, Zeagle and a few of the less popular folks. If you went to Vegas a couple years ago you may remember that Deep Outdoors had sponsered the "Fashion Show" and had quite a large booth, this year they have scaled way back. DiveRite has a small booth but I didn't see Halcyon. Oxycheck has a small booth as does Ikelite. Light and Motion has a very nice spot up front and nicely done. Sea & Sea didn't do alot. I haven't made it by Gates yet but I glanced at their booth and it looks pretty good. Training agencies are PADI, SSI, NAUI, IANTD, TDI/SDI along with a few of the other guys. PADI has their usual very nice booth but I think they have less real estate than last year. SSI has a small booth and I didn't look at NAUI. SDI/TDI has a little booth. I think it's still a great show but it does have a different "feel" to it.
I am personally VERY disappointed that the large mfg's pulled out, the "ripple" or "trickle down" effect is quite obvious. The mfg's have given a variety of reasons for not attending this years show but there a quite few of us who are convinced that had the show been somewhere else besides Houston we would have seen better attendance-JMHO- If you have never been it should still be quite fun and there is certainly plenty to see.
Several rebreather mfg's are showing their latest toy, if you aren't saving for a rebreather start because just like Nitrox they're probably going to be the "thing of the future" and the future is here.
ScoobaDoo's new little scooter seems to be getting a lot of attention and it's small size is nice. My old Tekna DV3X's had nothing on these neat little DPV's.
On another note Caymans Islands are in full force and I think anyone that is hesitating to travel there shouldn't. They are positive and moving forward and certainly could use some divers so if you had the Caymans in your plans, keep them there. Give them a little time to get the place fixed up and then get on down there and help them get back on their feet!!
I'm going to walk around the floor tommorrow again and if I get home in time I'll try to throw something on the board if anyone is interested.-M
