Dema show???

[widget]

Yes, leadking, I am probably going a little off topic, (so I do hope no-one minds), but the US market, in reality and to a certain extent, drives the international market, its that important to them, and with the US market in distress, well, all the manufacturers I know are worried.

I know its frowned upon in the US market, but there is a growing feeling internationally, that the only way these manufacturers can survive in any meaningfull way is by changing their focus and going directly to the consumer.

Actually, its happening all over Europe already, Manufacturer / brand stores are opening and selling directly to the public in high traffic areas, I saw it in Spain, Italy and France and I suspect they are in other areas as well. At this moment they are holding prices at retail level to avoid been seen to be in direct competition with their retailers, but, the stores allow them to interact with other services like factory tests and repairs, it allows them to talk directly to "Joe" in the street and troubleshoot issues, gather feedback etc, they can showcase all their products under one roof, instead of having retailers "cherry pick" lines, they have public seminars on their lines, offer equipment to test, and so on.

They are trying to get closer to the customer to secure his loyality, which in the end can only be beneficial to them, so I am baffeled as to why this would not work with Dema as well.?

 

[Leadking]

Going direct to the end consumer is near term good, long term bad. As a supplier to the retail stores it is my opinion that, as has been stated, old divers buy little, new divers, a lot. Unless we bring new divers into the sport (and keep them) it will be a downward trend. Dive stores make divers. The big issue is they make them in their own image. As a rule, I can walk into almost any dive store in the U.S. and can define their clientèle in under 10 seconds. Wreck diving, travel, tech diving, etc. It's a huge mistake. Dive stores need to act in their customers best interest. How? By asking the potential customer what their dream is and delivering it. Most dive stores are selling THEIR dream. Get over it. You cannot make all divers in a single image. With the competition from all the activities out there you cannot segment a small market into even smaller segments-you need to deliver it all to survive.

I could go on for hours (pages) but I think I've made my point.

See some of you at DEMA where I'll be with DAN and the Historical Diving Society!

 

[Leadking]

It was just confirmed to me that DEMA offered major floor space price reductions to the majors for exhibiting at the upcoming show. If this is true (and a major confirmed this to me) and price reductions were not offered to other exhibitors is a major breach of trust with its' membership.

 

[PhilEllis]

It was just confirmed to me that DEMA offered major floor space price reductions to the majors for exhibiting at the upcoming show. If this is true (and a major confirmed this to me) and price reductions were not offered to other exhibitors is a major breach of trust with its' membership.

Lee, I honestly don't know why the revelation would shock anyone. DEMA is, and always has been, an organization looking out for the interests of the majors. Not all of the majors, mind you, just the major majors. Other members have simply been funding the expense of looking out for the majors.

If you want to know who they are, just look at the board of directors of the organization and the other companies who benefit greatly from association with the companies represented by the board of directors.

So, no big change.

Phil Ellis
www.divesports.com

 

[cool_hardware52]

It was just confirmed to me that DEMA offered major floor space price reductions to the majors for exhibiting at the upcoming show. If this is true (and a major confirmed this to me) and price reductions were not offered to other exhibitors is a major breach of trust with its' membership.

I can't say I'm even slightly surprised. I don't know what DEMA's contractual commitments are to the Orange County Convention Center are, but I can speculate that "breaking even" has become the focus.

If DEMA looses money on a "failed" Show, which will no doubt also impact membership renewals, the money dries up and DEMA simply disappears.


Next we need to find a way to "defund" the spendthrifts in Sacramento.......


Tobin

 

[mdb]

It would seem logical that the many exhibitors who paid a much higher price for their exhibit space would ask for the proper refund. It only seems fair.

 

[cerich]

oh yeah that's gonna happen....

It would seem logical that the many exhibitors who paid a much higher price for their exhibit space would ask for the proper refund. It only seems fair.

 

[cool_hardware52]

It would seem logical that the many exhibitors who paid a much higher price for their exhibit space would ask for the proper refund. It only seems fair.

Fair and logical perhaps, but if DEMA is short of funds, what will the refund look like?

A discount coupon for next years show?

Tobin

 

[cerich]

Fair and logical perhaps, but if DEMA is short of funds, what will the refund look like?

A discount coupon for next years show?

Tobin

first dibs on office furniture from the dema offices.....

 

[The Chairman]

DEMA is, and always has been, an organization looking out for the interests of the majors. Not all of the majors, mind you, just the major majors. Other members have simply been funding the expense of looking out for the majors.

I'm sorry Phil, but we're just gonna hafta agree to agree here! :homealone:

I have never seen a level playing field here. You are rewarded (maybe) for touting the party line with DEMA. I have ruffled too many feathers to ever be one of the insiders. They are too afraid of me and have absolutely no control over ScubaBoard. I like that.