For us basic fun divers that like to go out every weekend and do our thing, go to the dive shop get fills and other stuff we may need, go to a cool dive destination every once in a while, how does this debate over whatever's going on trickle down to us, the common diver? What is currently going on at DEMA that's affecting me right now, and if changes are made how will that affect my diving in the future?
A lot goes on at, and around, the DEMA (the Diving Eqiuipment and
MARKETING Association) annual meeting that in some way affects 'basic fun divers', directly or indirectly. It is not a policy organization, per se, but an industry advocacy organization that provides a forum for exchange of information, and an organized approach to support of the scuba industry. Is DEMA perfect? No. Does everyone in the dive industry agree with DEMA's actions and approaches? Obviously not. But, that is not to say that DEMA is bad, and DEMA's critics are good. Or, that DEMA is infallible and its critics are wrong.
One thing you might do is simply learn more about the organization. Try going to the website,
DEMA, and read about the organization's mission and pupose, and decide if what DEMA purports to do has relevance to you as a diver. The 'show' is primarily directed to manufacturers, shops, resorts, and dive professionals, and not 'basic fun divers'. But there is a lot of training, information sharing, exhibitions of new equipment, discussion of new ideas, etc., that takes place in conjunction with DEMA that at least indirectly affects the industry, what gear shops might ultimately decide to stock, what trips they might decide to book, and what instructors might do in their courses, for professional, legal or business reasons. I go to DEMA to learn more about what my particular agency (PADI) is doing / thinking / promoting, and how I can and should apply that in my teaching. I go to DEMA for education provided through the many DAN seminars that take place there. I go to DEMA to see what new and improved dive equipment is being released by manufacturers, that I might not otherwise be aware of as quickly. Is DEMA 'better' or 'worse' than something like the Beneath the Sea show in NJ? It is not a fair or relevant comparison. If there was no DEMA, would scuba diving disappear. Of course not. But, virtually every industry has one or more trade organizations which promote that industry, and provide an opporunity for manufacturers and suppliers to interact with retailers and users, and DEMA happens at the moment to be such an organization for the dive industry.