Dema

[NudeDiver]

According to its website, "DEMA represents companies whose mission is to promote and help provide growth within recreational diving."

However, its trade show "is limited to trade professionals only. Credentials are required for registration and will be verified. Neither the show floor or the conference sessions are open to consumers."

Now - call me silly, but it seems that by cutting off consumers from this show is self-defeating. Imagine how stoked up divers could be if they could go to such a show and see what there is to see? Get special deals on equipment, classes, have seminars, meet other divers, find out about diving opportunities, get deals on trips, etc. Imagine if they arranged things so that there was some diving out at Lake Powell, and consumers could try out new gear and buy it on the spot at special prices....

It seems that if you want to promote industry growth and important step would be, I dunno, involve your customers! Find out what they want from the industry - find out where it is going - etc. If they want to have "industry only sessions" - I can understand that, sure, but cutting off off customers from the show entirely just seems stupid. I looked at the agenda - there is a lot of stuff that consumers would be interested in. They could also add consumer interest seminars, etc. Ugh. OK, I'm done (;

 

[friscuba]

There are a number of consumer dive shows that do just that. This is an opportunity for manufacturers and travel providers to have direct access to the companies and professionals that sell their product, and to recruit a larger base of stores to move thier product for them.

If you look, you'll find many, many, maybe most, industries have professional only shows. It can be difficult enough trying to run 11K dive professionals through the show in three to four days, opening it up to the public would make it even harder.

 

[cuddlefish]

Friscuba is correct. There are lots of consumer dive shows. And, yes, most industries have shows for retailers, manufacturers, and professionals. You're online right now, so do some research and find some consumer shows in your area. You'll have a blast.

You said "call me silly"...so I'm calling you silly.

 

[NudeDiver]

find some consumer shows in your area.

Nothing I'm interested in comes to my area, trust me. The best we get is a home show - and I've already done or nearly done all I intend to do to my current residence

 

[friscuba]

Looking at your profile, I guess you're from Alaska... that's a bit out of the way for the big shows. Seattle had one a few months back, closer, but maybe not as fun as Las Vegas. The big consumer dive show on the west coast is SCUBA Show 2009 -May 30th & 31st @ The Long Beach Convention Center , I've never been but it seems to generate some buzz.

 

[diversteve]

I don't know that this is true, (never been to DEMA) but part of the reason I've heard it's trade professionals only is that the manufacturers openly list/discuss pricing to the trade at their booths.

Now - call me silly...Imagine if they arranged things so that there was some diving out at Lake Powell,

Ok, you're silly...um, Lake Powell is about 220 miles from Vegas - farther if you drive. Maybe you meant Lake Mead?

 

[Jack'sDivingLocker]

I don't know that this is true, (never been to DEMA) but part of the reason I've heard it's trade professionals only is that the manufacturers openly list/discuss pricing to the trade at their booths.

Yes, exactly. Dive operators make orders, research new products and new companies, and decide what they'd like to offer in their shops. Again, this is one of the main reasons for a professional dive show. There also a ton of seminars all day that have to do with marketing, customer service, repair seminars for gear techs, etc. The dive agencies such as PADI, NAUI, SSI, etc, have booths as well. Dive shops order educational materials, learn about new programs, and re-establish their business relationsships.

For dive shops that have not been attending DEMA...I highly recommend it. If you can afford it...the owners, managers, and your key instructors and retail staff should go. It's a great opportunity to research, learn, and renew excitement. Flights can booked with miles you earn throughout the year. We usually send 6-10 staff each year.

We also send one or two staff to a consumer show every now and then. Lots of fun for professionals as well as the general diving public!

 

[friscuba]

I don't know that this is true, (never been to DEMA) but part of the reason I've heard it's trade professionals only is that the manufacturers openly list/discuss pricing to the trade at their booths.

I doubt the fact that pricing's out there is really a huge issue, anyone who knows retail at all knows it's pretty transparent anyway.

For the manufacturer, it's largely about talking to the individuals who make the buying decisions for the shops. When/if you go to DEMA, you'll be issued credentials basically listing what position you hold in the dive world. No manufacturer's rep has the time to talk to all 11,000 attendees, some may try, but for the most part they're looking for that buyer tag. You're not going to get that buyer tag real readily, you'll need tax ID numbers, invoices from scuba suppliers and such to get one, and I believe they're limiting the number of buyers per company. There is lots of other stuff going on at the show, not involving pricing, that justifies allowing non-buyers in the industry in.

As it is, it's getting more difficult to get extra people in... I've got to go through extra hoops this year to get my wife in the show since she's not on my official business paperwork and doesn't have a DM card.

 

[almitywife]

make it personal.... maybe they just dont want you to attend???

anyways, why cant a industry have a industry only event - why should divers feel entitled to attend events just because they want to? i can name a dozen industries that have industry only events, from garden/nursery industry to toys

anyways - DEMA isnt all that hard to get acces too even if you arent in the industry, you just have to know the right people

cheers

 

[ketchumid]

The smart thing to do is open it to consumers for one day – (Thursday- Friday Professionals- Sat Public)