Maybe DEMA should thumb their upcoming Dive Fest in Ft Lauderdale?

[danvolker]

I would like to see something at the Lauderdale DEMA Show that could be a big draw.... You know this is going to happen, they have the space for free....The only issue is how many people will feel there is something worthwhile to show up for...

We need some ideas.

How about, a 25 foot deep pool, fairly large, where the first ever large scale DEMOS of gear could take place! Also, get the good dive toys in there as well, like the new underwater Glider with no motor, some scooters, pretty much every cool toy there is. I think people would show to try this.
If this sounds like a possible draw, the next step would be to partner in this with one of the larger Pool Builders, and see if they would undertake a demo pool for the massive publicity...but a good sized and deep pool, or the toys won't be so much fun, and the demos won't be as good.

There can be bouyancy and trim clinics, wetsuit and drysuit demos, the new electric heated suit by Thermolution can be demoed ( which Sandra just tried, and was blown away by how awesome it works!)...there are many avenues we could go down, with a deep pool.
The Hall is free, so DEMA ought to do something

 

[koozemani]

Now if a competing organization was born...

Competition either brings out the best they have to offer or highlights their weaknesses.

 

[The Chairman]

Dan,

you are the one person who could probably make this work and establish some harmony.

 

[cerich]

and if Dan were to do something along that line at the Lauderdale Boat show and NOT involve DEMA, EDGE would be all over it! A dive section like in Germany at Boot show.

 

[danvolker]

Dan,

you are the one person who could probably make this work and establish some harmony.

Thanks Pete, I would need a big wall to bang my head up against , as a condition.....
I do know that the Palm Beach Tourist Development Center and CVB would help us if DEMA had any interest at all in our ideas...

 

[Wookie]

Now if a competing organization was born...

Competition either brings out the best they have to offer or highlights their weaknesses.

About every 5 years a new organization comes along to shake up DEMA. 2 years ago it was the Unified Scuba Industry. Before that is was someone else who's name is lost in the mists of rum fumes. Running a trade organization and a massive dive show is a huge undertaking, with small chance of success against DEMA. Some pretty big names were involved with USI, including the folks from DUI, the folks from HOG/EDGE, the folks from Apollo. I think it fell over because no one asked for funds to do anything, and no one can afford to devote the time from their business to run what is essentially a full time business. You have to remember something about scuba manufacturers and travel operators and the movers in this industry. We do it because we love it. You could never entice me away from my boat with mere salary and accolades. Chris sells regulators because he loves it, every day . We do this because we can't hold down real jobs anymore for many reasons.

If another trade organization came along, I'd join. I don't think I have the organizational skills or good ol boy network established to make something like a competing organization work. I've watched Zig work the BTS show and he is straight out 4 months per year. I've watched Ken Knezik do Seaspace for over 20 years. The show (the largest and oldest in the country) ultimately failed because no one wanted to take it over. As much as DEMA is a failure, it's a viable failure.

---------- Post added May 22nd, 2012 at 05:22 PM ----------

Dan,

you are the one person who could probably make this work and establish some harmony.

Pete, you don't look all that busy....

 

[danvolker]

About every 5 years a new organization comes along to shake up DEMA. 2 years ago it was the Unified Scuba Industry. Before that is was someone else who's name is lost in the mists of rum fumes. Running a trade organization and a massive dive show is a huge undertaking, with small chance of success against DEMA. Some pretty big names were involved with USI, including the folks from DUI, the folks from HOG/EDGE, the folks from Apollo. I think it fell over because no one asked for funds to do anything, and no one can afford to devote the time from their business to run what is essentially a full time business. You have to remember something about scuba manufacturers and travel operators and the movers in this industry. We do it because we love it. You could never entice me away from my boat with mere salary and accolades. Chris sells regulators because he loves it, every day . We do this because we can't hold down real jobs anymore for many reasons.

If another trade organization came along, I'd join. I don't think I have the organizational skills or good ol boy network established to make something like a competing organization work. I've watched Zig work the BTS show and he is straight out 4 months per year. I've watched Ken Knezik do Seaspace for over 20 years. The show (the largest and oldest in the country) ultimately failed because no one wanted to take it over. As much as DEMA is a failure, it's a viable failure.

---------- Post added May 22nd, 2012 at 05:22 PM ----------



Pete, you don't look all that busy....

How does this sound.... Dive Industry Vacation Event Show. DIVE SHOW.

But really, I'd rather try to get DEMA use better ideas. All the infrastructure required to create a competing show would be a full time job for many people, and who would have the money or vision for that? It just makes getting DEMA to open up to us alot more appealing.

 

[Skooter]

Crazy idea but all of us little pee on's that have the auto renew option with our membership dues should call and cancel that option. Then state that unless Dema starts to take into consideration what the members want all financial support will stop. Personally if they don't begin working for the membership I see no loss.

At an average salary of $80,000 a year it's either that or I want an employment application.

How does this sound.... Dive Industry Vacation Event Show. DIVE SHOW.
Where shall I send the membership dues?

I would really like to hear Dema address this thread and the accusations that have been brought up. That may be the only way they will see any support from me in the future, but then again my contribution is so small they won't care.

Pete how about I start giving you the money they have been getting? Red is a nice color

 

[The Chairman]

Pete, you don't look all that busy....

Wook,

While I appreciate the vote of confidence, that would be a conflict of interest. I have made a promise to the ScubaBoard Tribe that I would never put myself in a position where I am in direct competition with them. Brad, Zig, Patrick, Mark and Rick are all a part of that tribe that I made the promise to. ScubaBoard will remain independent of outside interests at this point. We owe that to our advertisers and more importantly, to the users of ScubaBoard.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Last year I got into some hot water over comments I made about DEMA and the direction it seems to take. I had a blast at the show in Orlando. Was my only time and frankly the people are what made it so cool. But in addition to supporting the industry I made some rather blunt (fancy that out of me!) comments about what DEMA was not doing for the mfgs and for the people who keep the mfg's in business. Divers and instructors. They keep shops open and shops keep mfg's in business. This is where it seems to me that in this economy any organization that is going to represent the diving industry needs to do something to promote diving to the public. It is not doing that with any kind of effectiveness. It allows the old boys who are still stuck in antiquated business model modes to dictate what goes on in the industry.

It has a lopsided way of handing out votes. Representation is not achieved by buying votes. The entities that spend so much money buying votes could better spend that money by pooling it to create ads that would run in various media and promote diving. They could send some of that money they give DEMA to local trade and consumer shows in the form of merchandise that the local shows would use as a draw to get people in the doors.

Just an idea. I'm not in the best frame of mind right now. 10 1/2 hours and then 2 hours of grass cutting has me wiped out. But one thing that happened last year was a call I got from a DEMA board member. He was calling on behalf of the Pres of the BOD. He wanted me to look at the divecaching deal they were promoting. I did and even complimented him on it. But I also sent him a few more questions that he never addressed. They only are interested in promoting themselves.