There is no doubt that this deep recession in the general economy, and an apparently deeper one in the scuba industry, has many people afraid. Scuba equipment manufacturers, importers, training agencies, instructors, travel providers, and local scuba stores are afraid that the industry they love is in trouble. Many fear for the viability of their living and all of their investment in this industry. It is human nature to attempt to assuage fear by taking action and creating some sort of change. The current petition asking for changes in the DEMA organization is very likely just such an attempt.
If you are in the scuba industry, you naturally hold out some hope that DEMA will chart a path that will result in changes to improve the health of your industry. After all, aside from individual business interests, DEMA manages the only industry-wide efforts to advance interest in scuba diving. EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT A DEMA MEMBER, a presence and vested interest in the scuba industry causes you to look toward DEMA for answers to difficult problems and for guidance through extremely difficult times. I know that retailers view DEMA less as a member-driven trade association and more as a industry-wide strategic management force. For the dive industry, DEMA can be important. The mission can be important.
I signed the petition because I thought it might spur a little urgency in the organization and might cause an adjustment in the mission. I personally would like to see our industry organization embark on some more inventive marketing programs that drive non-divers into the local scuba stores. If this were to happen, all in the industry would benefit.
Personally, I don't care who sits on the DEMA Board of Directors. I am comfortable with any group of industry leaders serving. I don't believe that any board member has ill intent and I don't believe that they are collectively taking steps designed to hurt the industry. I do feel that they may have become too enthralled in gigantic marketing efforts and that they may lack an ability to measure the progress of those efforts. The unified scuba industry petition is a good way to spur action in an organization that is viewed as having become complacent in their efforts. I hope this is the outcome and I hope this call to action results in a reevaluation of current efforts.
Beyond efforts to "change" the rules and bylaws of the DEMA organization, I look forward to a specific agenda from those who believe they can better chart the path of the organization. I look forward to the details of the efforts to redirect the power of this industry organization.
Phil Ellis
www.divesports.com
If you are in the scuba industry, you naturally hold out some hope that DEMA will chart a path that will result in changes to improve the health of your industry. After all, aside from individual business interests, DEMA manages the only industry-wide efforts to advance interest in scuba diving. EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT A DEMA MEMBER, a presence and vested interest in the scuba industry causes you to look toward DEMA for answers to difficult problems and for guidance through extremely difficult times. I know that retailers view DEMA less as a member-driven trade association and more as a industry-wide strategic management force. For the dive industry, DEMA can be important. The mission can be important.
I signed the petition because I thought it might spur a little urgency in the organization and might cause an adjustment in the mission. I personally would like to see our industry organization embark on some more inventive marketing programs that drive non-divers into the local scuba stores. If this were to happen, all in the industry would benefit.
Personally, I don't care who sits on the DEMA Board of Directors. I am comfortable with any group of industry leaders serving. I don't believe that any board member has ill intent and I don't believe that they are collectively taking steps designed to hurt the industry. I do feel that they may have become too enthralled in gigantic marketing efforts and that they may lack an ability to measure the progress of those efforts. The unified scuba industry petition is a good way to spur action in an organization that is viewed as having become complacent in their efforts. I hope this is the outcome and I hope this call to action results in a reevaluation of current efforts.
Beyond efforts to "change" the rules and bylaws of the DEMA organization, I look forward to a specific agenda from those who believe they can better chart the path of the organization. I look forward to the details of the efforts to redirect the power of this industry organization.
Phil Ellis
www.divesports.com
