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

[SC_Hoaty]

As Pete has pointed out, the real issue under discussion is not the DEMA trade-only show, but the wisdom of the upcoming Dive Fest. If the intent behind the Dive Fest is really to attract new divers to the sport, Wookie has already noted there may be better venues for this at existing shows (see his post #13).

The downside to the "have a DEMA booth at someone else's show" is the expense. Perhaps this could be offset by offering space at DEMA shows for other adventure sports. My LDS offers both Scuba and Snow Skiing, as this is not a year-round diving climate. Perhaps this type of approach could be a "win-win" where scuba gets marketed to new consumers, and adventure-sports gear finds new retail outlets for their equipment.

If folks want to persuade DEMA into calling off Dive Fest, then presenting viable alternatives to accomplish its stated mission should be part of the arguement.

OF course, if the only point is to DEMA-bash, then open a thread in Whine & Cheeze and have at it!

 

[danvolker]

As Pete has pointed out, the real issue under discussion is not the DEMA trade-only show, but the wisdom of the upcoming Dive Fest. If the intent behind the Dive Fest is really to attract new divers to the sport, Wookie has already noted there may be better venues for this at existing shows (see his post #13).

The downside to the "have a DEMA booth at someone else's show" is the expense. Perhaps this could be offset by offering space at DEMA shows for other adventure sports. My LDS offers both Scuba and Snow Skiing, as this is not a year-round diving climate. Perhaps this type of approach could be a "win-win" where scuba gets marketed to new consumers, and adventure-sports gear finds new retail outlets for their equipment.

If folks want to persuade DEMA into calling off Dive Fest, then presenting viable alternatives to accomplish its stated mission should be part of the arguement.

OF course, if the only point is to DEMA-bash, then open a thread in Whine & Cheeze and have at it!

Except they are getting the Hall for free.....Like Tax collectors, the idea of NOT collecting money from this will NOT occur to them. These guys are going to do a show, whether we like it or not.
All we can do now is:

• think of ways to make it less destructive
• come up with the type of ideas DEMA "should have" been coming up with for the last decade, and figure out how to get them interested in these ideas.
• Maybe come up with our own board of representatives to SPEAK to DEMA ....a meeting of a dozen people is likely to be more productive than an "event" like the one last week

 

[cerich]

I have to disagree with you, in fact DEMA's mission is not to run consumer shows, Their mission is as below

"“ARTICLE III. PURPOSES AND OBJECTIVES.
The purposes and objectives of the Association shall be:
A. To promote the advancement of the diving industry, to promote and encourage the
growth of diving activities, and to enhance the growth and public enjoyment of the
sport of diving.
B. To establish continuing business education programs to aid industry members, their
officers and employees.
C. To facilitate the exchange of information among industry members, through experts,
internet-based programming, manuals and conferences, and other media on such
subjects as quality control, general industry statistics,governmental regulations,
product standards and/or certification, standardized methods of keeping books and
records, and related topics of industry interest.
D. To support the diving industry with communication services, media relations and
resources.
E. To support the diving industry in monitoring and communicating on legislation that
impacts diving and to represent the industry before the executive, legislative and
judicial branches of government throughout the United States andin foreign
jurisdictions.
F. To support the diving industry in the monitoring and protection of the environment
through education and activities.”

Frankly DEMA has brought in a ton of money over the years, they can start to invest in a booth at Adventure Shows, travel shows etc. where they promote diving. they can help our (Diving) consumer shows get better, instead of competing with them. THAT is within their legal mandate. the Ft Lauderdale Consumer show is NOT within that mandate, it is well outside, THEY are promoting by the Lauderdale show a wide variety of outdoor activities, they are ONLY in existence for the DIVING industry. Cross Marketing is great, they should encourage and foster their members participating in cross marketing efforts. But that doesn't mean they should start putting on shows that compete with their own identified stake holders(consumer DIVE shows) and in the process harm another stake holder group (DIVE retailers) while actively promoting other sports and activities that in fact compete with DIVING! . As a non profit 501 (c) they MUST follow their own by-laws.

The above doesn't even start to examine how corrupt the entire process has appeared to be.

IMHO, this whole thing is not about making the dive industry more successful, it's about money so DEMA stays in business. That Association is only in existence to serve the dive industry, it's now been co-opted by another agenda. Now it seems to be DEMA out for DEMA. That is at a very basic level wrong.

As Pete has pointed out, the real issue under discussion is not the DEMA trade-only show, but the wisdom of the upcoming Dive Fest. If the intent behind the Dive Fest is really to attract new divers to the sport, Wookie has already noted there may be better venues for this at existing shows (see his post #13).

The downside to the "have a DEMA booth at someone else's show" is the expense. Perhaps this could be offset by offering space at DEMA shows for other adventure sports. My LDS offers both Scuba and Snow Skiing, as this is not a year-round diving climate. Perhaps this type of approach could be a "win-win" where scuba gets marketed to new consumers, and adventure-sports gear finds new retail outlets for their equipment.

If folks want to persuade DEMA into calling off Dive Fest, then presenting viable alternatives to accomplish its stated mission should be part of the arguement.

OF course, if the only point is to DEMA-bash, then open a thread in Whine & Cheeze and have at it!

---------- Post added May 23rd, 2012 at 09:54 AM ----------

• Maybe come up with our own board of representatives to SPEAK to DEMA ....a meeting of a dozen people is likely to be more productive than an "event" like the one last week

Dan, we did that with the Unified Dive Industry Petition. We got lip service, offered positions on DEMA committees (if we sign a NDA) and very little changed. It was business as normal once 18 months passed and we all got busy with our normal lives.

So here we are...AGAIN with DEMA off the rails and doing things that are harmful to the dive Industry.

I see only a couple viable options to "solve" this

1/ make a big enough stink that either DEMA or the convention center cancels the show
2/ Just don't participate- this to me is not a good enough plan
3/ Stake holders in DEMA withdraw consent by not being members. they will wither and die. My preferred if somewhat naive option
4/ try and get the DEMA BOD changed enough to change the direction of DEMA. possible but too long and too much harm will have been done by then. Keep in mind that last time DEMA got completely off the rails (and I have been told covered up a TON of corruption)and the industry pushed back the then DEMA BOD fired the director they actually declared the following
"In lieu of the fact that the show will now be managed separately, DEMA will be able to reorganize it’s managing structure, consolidate its operations, and reduce expenses while concentrating on the major goals and objectives of the organization.?? The position of Executive Director will be abolished and a new General Manager will be hired.?? Interested parties should email Werner Kurn at" (see full release DEMA announces new management transition | DeeperBlue.com). Isn't it interesting that Werner is back on the BOD and yet somehow after saying they wouldn't have the Executive Director position...they do?


I encourage everybody to really think about what is happening, is it what we want? Is DEMA out of control?

Don't ask the Board members, you won't get answers, the Exec. director has them sign a NDA the minute they are elected(or not as was recently the case). Having tried to speak with them it becomes readily apparent they have been effectively shut up and neutered.

look at the recent "DEMAIL" release they sent out to THREATEN a retailer that dared try and get coalition support against the Ft Lauderdale consumer show.

"[FONT=&amp]Dear DEMA Member:[/FONT]

[FONT=&amp]This DEMAIL is being sentto clarify misinformation circulating in a recent e-mail sent by oneof DEMA's retail members. We must clarify the situation, so that therecord of the Association's activities and positions is clear.[/FONT]

[FONT=&amp]There NEVER was a "meetingplanned for the Long Beach show to discuss apricing policy for the Fort Lauderdaleshow" as the email suggests. DEMA has not been, and never will be, a partyto discussions about pricing of dive products. Any statement to the contrary isan example of trade libel, which cannot be tolerated.[/FONT]

[FONT=&amp]What was under consideration, andwhat manufacturers were asked to discuss, was the life-support/safety productimplications of companies selling directly to consumers at a consumer tradeshow like the one DEMA has planned in Fort Lauderdale in 2013. Thepurpose of the meeting was cleared by legal counsel for DEMA, and the meetingitself was to be attended by counsel whose job it is to make sure the meetingstays on topic. [/FONT]

[FONT=&amp]Whether any manufacturer decidesto sell directly to a consumer (whether life-support/safety equipment orotherwise) is a decision each manufacturer must make on its own. However, inthe event of sales at a consumer show such as the one DEMA has plannedfor Fort Lauderdale,DEMA must be sure that all safety concerns have been addressed and providedfor. Since Fort Lauderdalewould be the first consumer-related show produced by DEMA, there are currentlyno life-support/safety equipment distribution policies in effect, and themanufacturers' input on that aspect of the event has been requested.[/FONT]

[FONT=&amp]To repeat, the meeting plannedfor Long Beachhas NOTHING to do with pricing policies or distribution policies of themanufacturers. Furthermore, any such concerted action, whether by manufacturersor retailers, is illegal and will not be tolerated or condoned by DEMA. Eachmanufacturer, and each retailer, must make their own, independent decision asto whether to attend a consumer show and what their sales policies might be.[/FONT]

[FONT=&amp]Thank you, [/FONT]

[FONT=&amp]Tom Ingram[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Executive Director, DEMA"

Read the above and then read this, also released by DEMA (DiveNewswire)

Anybody else see the lie?

Last time with the Unified Dive Industry I allowed people I respect greatly in our industry to influence me that we should try and reform DEMA. I was not sure it was the right path then but went along, now I am sure it wasn't. We should have done more.

[/FONT]

---------- Post added May 23rd, 2012 at 10:15 AM ----------

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!!

DiveNewswire

seems I am not alone.

WELL DONE AUP!

 

[Skooter]

I'm not going to even begin quoting, just want to say thank you for sharing this information cerich. That's enough for me to make a decision on how I will proceed.

Due to my location far from where this show is planned the actions that DEMA or any suppliers may take will have no immediate effect on me. What I cannot do is sit by and watch the door opening to what could develop from these actions.

Excuse me I need to make a phone call.

 

[Wookie]

Chris, you're gonna find yourself on the ignore list too....

 

[cerich]

Chris, you're gonna find yourself on the ignore list too....

what they publish new ones every year or something?

 

[ksenecal]

Pete, Chris, Frank, and others…

Thanks for spreading the word about this issue of importance to South Florida retailers. Quite frankly this issue should be important to every retailer in the US. If DEMA can produce a profitable consumer event in South Florida, why not also do it in Denver, Dallas, San Diego, etc,etc, etc.

I have shared my objections with Tom at DEMA, every manufacturer with whom we do business, and a few DEMA BODs. We will see how it goes, but I love the “thumbs up” for this show. Here are my objections to this show (in no particular order.)

1. DEMA is an industry trade association. DEMA is not in (and should not get into) the business of producing consumer selling shows in direct competition with a substantial contingent of its members.

2. DEMA profiting at this event may encourage it to produce shows at other venues around the US in direct competition with retail members across the US.

3. DEMA has used its position of authority as the representative of the entire dive industry to negotiate substantial financial concessions from the local government. These financial concessions create an artificially low cost for DEMA to produce a sales show in direct competition with local retailers who pay rent, taxes, payroll, advertise, and provide customer service twelve months of the year in South Florida.

4. Potential profits from this show will come at the expense of Florida Dive Retailers. DEMA states that it will redistribute these profits to the entire industry. It is unfair for Florida Dive Retailers to be singled out for funding the entire industry.

5. The selling of SCUBA diving product outside of authorized locations is forbidden within dealer agreements between DEMA member manufacturers and DEMA member retailers. The selling component of the event is indirect violation of those agreements thus inserting DEMA in the middle of theexisting business relationships between manufacturers and their dealers.

6. DEMA’s press release states that they will specifically invite retailers from out of the South Florida Market to sell product at the show component of their event (also in direct violation of existing dealer agreements.)

We have requested that each of our suppliers simply enforce their dealer agreementswith regards to this show. We applaud AUP taking a public position on this show and encourage other manufactures to do so too.

Kevin Senecal
CEO – DiversDirect

 

[Leadking]

Couple of quick notes:

I first exhibited at the DEMA show in 1981 in the ballroom(s) of the Las Vegas Hilton and watched DEMA grow dramatically. This past year an exhibitor told me "I can see the exit signs on all four wall from my booth"

The Sands Convention Center is huge. I attended a SHOT show there, DEMA will fit with no issues.

I do believe DEMA made a huge mistake in creating its' own consumer show and not supporting the current shows that all ready exist. I actually think they are looking for additional revenue to keep themselves afloat.

According to the SGMA, recreational diving, according to their last survey, is down almost 40% from 2000. This is an issue I tried to get the board of DEMA to look at almost 20 years ago. We were going to face a demographic wall that was going to decimate us. It arrived without any action on the industry's part. That is why, after six years on DEMA's board, I decided to leave as I was not making a difference. I went back to putting all that effort into MY business and grew almost 200% before I sold out in 2007. I saw the recession coming and I had someone waving a lot of money at me. It was a smart move on my part, but I do miss it.

 

[Wookie]

I had an interesting conversation with a Florida Keys operator today about this thread. Supposedly, DEMA wanted to have this meeting that was held in Fort Lauderdale in the keys. The Keys Dive Operators (who have a trade group, KADO) told DEMA that they were not interested in participating. I was not there for that conversation, so I only have passed along information. Still, one of the things that make you go Hmmmm.

---------- Post added ----------

I do believe DEMA made a huge mistake in creating its' own consumer show and not supporting the current shows that all ready exist. I actually think they are looking for additional revenue to keep themselves afloat.

I'd guess that DEMA is sending a message. One of the big consumer shows had a trade-only half-day this year. It may not have been extremely successful, but that was due to lack of telling folks about it. Next year will be better. I applaud the consumer show for having a trade-only portion of the show, and will continue to participate.

 

[cerich]

I'd guess that DEMA is sending a message. One of the big consumer shows had a trade-only half-day this year. It may not have been extremely successful, but that was due to lack of telling folks about it. Next year will be better. I applaud the consumer show for having a trade-only portion of the show, and will continue to participate.

If that is the message they are sendng then it is further proof that DEMA is only interested in DEMA. If they were truly for the their stated goals as an association they would be happy to see the consumer shows be more sucessful and benifical for stakeholder groups in the DIVE industry. So I guess you're correct...

Oh, that show with a half day trade only? It was a HUGE sucess for me. I applaud BTS and their action. It provided a MUCH higher return on my investment than I would otherwise have gotten.