Dema show???

[mjrob]

OK, I'll go on.

Opening the show to the public is, IMO, a mistake. Most shop owners we've spoken with are not fans of that change, although they don't seem willing to go, either. I suspect some of them are looking for excuses not to attend and there are several of them this year. However, if the major vendors bail, it makes attendance much less appealing from the dealer standpoint. My understanding is that being closed to the public (and damn near anyone else, I might add ) has been a basic tenet of the show and it makes sense. Dealers want to keep their customers close and my thought is that vendors should support them via on-site visits where the customers can meet them and discuss equipment in the shop. That's a win-win (win). Customers, dealers and vendors all take something away from that. And, it's already hard enough to get time and attention from exhibitors, even those who actually want to sell something. We need those folks to be sharp (not exhausted) and prepared to work with us so we can address customer needs.

I'd like to be able to send some people just for training sessions (equipment repair in particular) but our main vendors have been happy to provide much of that for us on-site. That's a good note for others to take. We're an investment for them, but they get it.

Honestly, if we had more staff hired and had the time, I think I'd at least attend just because we're new and I'd like to put some faces to names but that will come and, at this point, our time's better spent in the shop. I was there all weekend and am back in today with several potential new students to contact. That's most important to me.

Again, DEMA refused to take us seriously in our plans. They ignored us mulitple times, gave us conflicting information about whether we could join and what we needed to do to join and, overall, failed miserably to make us welcome. I don't understand that thinking but, as mentioned, it's not uncommon in the industry.

Survival in down markets like these requires re-thinking your approach and methods. We all need to step out in the parking lot, take a good look at the store, continue inside, note the things that need to be changed/fixed/updated and then--and this is the hard part--make those changes. We're lucky because we're new. We're changing things every day.

 

[The Chairman]

You know MJ,

You are right in your assessment of what retailers want. I just got an E-Mail from Tom Ingram, suggesting that he got tipped off from a friend that there was a thread somewhere on ScubaBoard that was concerned about the results of the poll I mentioned in post #230. Well, even if Tom does not want to read this, someone close to him IS! My humble thanks to that anonymous person and here is the link to the results from that poll!: DEMA's Survey Results

FWIW, it was suggested to me(but not by Tom, or his close associate), that if DEMA members want a class on Social Networking 101, that perhaps a strong e-mail writing campaign would be in order! Perhaps they will include such a question in a future poll, to see just how many shops would like this valuable information. Again, I am not talking about a ScubaBoard info-mercial, but a real down to earth class on how to approach ANY forum, face book or My Space environment and make a HUGE impact.

 

[mike_s]

You know MJ,

You are right in your assessment of what retailers want. I just got an E-Mail from Tom Ingram, suggesting that he got tipped off from a friend that there was a thread somewhere on ScubaBoard that was concerned about the results of the poll I mentioned in post #230. Well, even if Tom does not want to read this, someone close to him IS!

I can understand it if he doesn't want to post on this thread and get in the middle of mud slinging, but not even bothering to read how his constituent base, that his organization represents , regards his show in an open discussion, to me seems like he's sticking his head in the sand...... (just my opinion).

My humble thanks to that anonymous person and here is the link to the results from that poll!: DEMA's Survey Results

I noticed that the group overwhelming against the show being open to the public is "retailers".

What is defined as a "retailer" at that show?

to me it would be dive shops and other organizations such as charter boats that are looking to book other dive shops. (but maybe charter boats fall under travel). But I would think that these groups would benefit from the show being open to the public. ?

?

 

[cool_hardware52]

I can understand it if he doesn't want to post on this thread and get in the middle of mud slinging, but not even bothering to read how his constituent base, that his organization represents , regards his show in an open discussion, to me seems like he's sticking his head in the sand...... (just my opinion).

Whether the exchange is good news, bad news, flattering, unflattering, correct, in need of correction etc. the fact remains that Scuba Board exists, and simply is not going to "go away".

Ignoring Scuba Board (and by extension all social networking opportunities) because of fear, discomfort, uncertainty, ignorance etc. is exactly like the ostrich mentioned above.

Tobin

 

[The Chairman]

What is defined as a "retailer" at that show?

From [b]www.DEMA.org[/b]'s website for New Member Registration:

A4: Retail Distribution of Diving Goods & Services

• A physical business location legally operating in a business zone location and holder of a business license and/or a tax resale number; and
• Engaged in the retail sale of diving equipment; or
• A company whose primary activity and/or income is derived from the dive retail industry.

Yes, a copy of my current government issued business license is attached with this form.
Attention A4 Applicants:
*In order to be listed in DEMA's BeADiver.com Professional Dive Center Search (Be A Diver : Find a Dive Store, Find a Dive Destination, Learn to Dive Today!) your business MUST:

• Be zoned for business (where such zoning is required).
• Have a retail store front.
• Have regular retail business hours.
• Provide scuba diving lessons.
• Sell scuba diving equipment.
• Provide service
• Provide air

You also MUST send us a copy of your current government issued business license recognizing your business as a retail entity. Once recorded in our database this copy will be shredded. We will NOT keep a physical copy of your license on file.
**Each year your license is on file with DEMA you not be required to send it in for your DEMA Show buyer credentials verification.

and

A5 - Dive Travel or Resorts

• A business whose primary source of income is derived from providing the diving activities or accommodations at a dive destination (this includes resort operators, dive boats and diving live-aboard vessels); or
• A business whose primary source of income includes the transportation to dive destinations (this includes airlines, cruise lines, travel wholesalers and travel agents); or
• A business whose primary activity, membership and/or income is derived from the dive travel industry.

 

[widget]

I noticed that the group overwhelming against the show being open to the public is "retailers".

What is defined as a "retailer" at that show?

to me it would be dive shops and other organizations such as charter boats that are looking to book other dive shops. (but maybe charter boats fall under travel). But I would think that these groups would benefit from the show being open to the public. ?

?

Yes, its interesting in that "retailers" are overwhelmingly against the show been opened to the public both from an "exhibiting" and "attending" point of view.

From my Dema experience of more than 20 shows, if one excludes specific destination and travel retailers, there are very few actual "DIVE SHOPS" who make a living exclusively from training and gear retail that exhibit anyway, and, in the present economic climate, its likely going to be less this year, so I would imagine its almost a negligable number to Dema in this regard.

Of course, the "attendance" by dive retailers is differant, as I expect this is a large portion of the attendees and to loose this large portion of probable attendees would concern Dema quite significantly, but one has to wonder if those numbers would not be quickly surpassed by the general public.?

Although, on the other hand, I have to say, the numbers of participants in the survey are very low, I am not sure this low response figure gives a fair representation of the concerns of the industry.

 

[Johnoly]

A free airline ticket to DEMA concept:

1. The Diveshop must prequalify via DEMA with GE Capital for a non-cancellable $10,000 line of credit.

2. The entire line of credit must be spent at DEMA on the day they visit.

3. The 2% loan commission paid to DEMA by GE is converted to an airline voucher for $200.

4. DEMA also books the flights for the Diveshop owner ensuring they are coming and also signs them up for reduced admission.

The flights are red-eye’s and it’s a fly in and fly out with no hotel stay. Spend your line of credit with who ever, making your best deals and off you go.

Now of course this scenario is full of holes, but it’s an intriguing marketing concept to get buyers with money on the show floor! All alternate concepts/ideas/twists/flames invited !!

 

[ScottZeagle]

The latest email I saw from DEMA says that they have decided against letting consumers in, and that the Oceanic group WILL be attending the show....

As the (scuba) World Turns....

 

[mdb]

Scott: Oceanic did agree to take 3 spaces for their whole group. Zeagle is still a bigger exhibitor than Aqua-Lung or Oceanic-Congratulations!

 

[ScottZeagle]

I was just suprised that there was such a sudden turnaround, Mike.

To be honest with you, I can appreciate the fact that they took three booths instead of not going at all. At least they are still trying, instead of bailing completely like some other larger companies...

I will probably see you in a few weeks at Diver's Fair, and I'm sure that will be an interesting cookuot discussion!!!