Our World Underwater Chicago or Beneath the Sea
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BTS. OWU hasn't been much fun the past few years. I'm not going this year.
What changed? I went last year for the first time. We're going again this year but purposely because I want to buy a drysuit and this gives a great opportunity to touch and try on all of them. Last year it was a BC I was looking for so it was helpful.
Not to mention it's always fun to get away for a night / weekend - and I was able to priceline the Hyatt O'Hare for dirt cheap!!
DEEPLOU
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BTS
But then I am prejudice. Its close to home for me. But I've been told it is the largest "consumer" trade show.
I'll be there
But then I am prejudice. Its close to home for me. But I've been told it is the largest "consumer" trade show.
I'll be there
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Among the actual booth exhibitors, they see an equal draw for each.
A few go to one but not the other, but the ones that I talk to that are motivated and have seen both... they exhibit at both. This is an answer which is only available from those who have seen both, but I have not been to BTS (Benetah the Sea, Seacacucus NJ http://www.beneaththesea.org/index.html March 27-29th) in a while, but by scheduling at that late date, the weather is a lot more springlike. Downside? If you were planning on a trip, you're already 1 month behind the Chicago divers.
I do know that the OWU (Our World Underwater "Chicago" Home - Our World Underwater Feb 20-22nd) has much easier Interstate/road access, it is literally right next to O'Hare. It is a very quick 15 minute train ride into the big city which many are drawn to for more than Deep Dish Pizza. The connectivity of the Hyatt makes it diver central. Downside? The weather will likely suck. Stay inside!
I used to go to as many as I could... LA, Denver, Florida... small ones and those which have come and gone, and come back again~ and others- I really miss SeaSpace in Houston, but of all of them, I liked my hometown show the best, OWU.
Duane (my neighbor), as posted above, his feelings are shared by more than a few who have advanced in their diving where only one or two booths of manufacturers might be of interest, but at that point, most divers in that realm could act as R&D guys or salesmen themselves for the exotic gear companies. There are quite a few seminars, and they are a big draw to most, but for Instructors of Exotic diving- well- there's only so much you can offer. For the "average day to day diver", the seminars provide great entertainment and value.
At that higher level, many folks then begin to swoon over DEMA (the Professional/ Instructor/ Commercial Dive Shop Show) which has its own peculiar style and draw, a large portion of which is it's hurdle for entry of an accreditation requirement. I think the hub-bub is highly over rated and only makes a splash here on SB because it gives people something to yammer on about. Even DEMA begins to fade as a draw to the more experienced diver, as soon as they realize what it is- a commercial show. It used to be a lot more entertaining when it was co-located with the surf show or back when we had our own scantily clad diver-ettes, but what with PC and all....
I understand the "burned out on dive shows" feeling, but I myself go to every possible retail dive show (OWU, BTS) that I can, rarely giving the big DEMA show a second thought. I have stepped away from the high level technical diving, and it would be a great reason to go to DEMA to meet the owners and managers of those companies and Training Systems, but I prefer to read their books and catalogs and have no need to meet them to enhance my respect for what they have done. That's what DEMA is all about, a social gathering more than anything else.
I prefer the raw, energetic, wide-eyed fun of the retail dive shows instead. There's a lot of creatures of the deep walking around- some tadpoles, some old salts, some- you just never know.
A few go to one but not the other, but the ones that I talk to that are motivated and have seen both... they exhibit at both. This is an answer which is only available from those who have seen both, but I have not been to BTS (Benetah the Sea, Seacacucus NJ http://www.beneaththesea.org/index.html March 27-29th) in a while, but by scheduling at that late date, the weather is a lot more springlike. Downside? If you were planning on a trip, you're already 1 month behind the Chicago divers.
I do know that the OWU (Our World Underwater "Chicago" Home - Our World Underwater Feb 20-22nd) has much easier Interstate/road access, it is literally right next to O'Hare. It is a very quick 15 minute train ride into the big city which many are drawn to for more than Deep Dish Pizza. The connectivity of the Hyatt makes it diver central. Downside? The weather will likely suck. Stay inside!
I used to go to as many as I could... LA, Denver, Florida... small ones and those which have come and gone, and come back again~ and others- I really miss SeaSpace in Houston, but of all of them, I liked my hometown show the best, OWU.
Duane (my neighbor), as posted above, his feelings are shared by more than a few who have advanced in their diving where only one or two booths of manufacturers might be of interest, but at that point, most divers in that realm could act as R&D guys or salesmen themselves for the exotic gear companies. There are quite a few seminars, and they are a big draw to most, but for Instructors of Exotic diving- well- there's only so much you can offer. For the "average day to day diver", the seminars provide great entertainment and value.
At that higher level, many folks then begin to swoon over DEMA (the Professional/ Instructor/ Commercial Dive Shop Show) which has its own peculiar style and draw, a large portion of which is it's hurdle for entry of an accreditation requirement. I think the hub-bub is highly over rated and only makes a splash here on SB because it gives people something to yammer on about. Even DEMA begins to fade as a draw to the more experienced diver, as soon as they realize what it is- a commercial show. It used to be a lot more entertaining when it was co-located with the surf show or back when we had our own scantily clad diver-ettes, but what with PC and all....
I understand the "burned out on dive shows" feeling, but I myself go to every possible retail dive show (OWU, BTS) that I can, rarely giving the big DEMA show a second thought. I have stepped away from the high level technical diving, and it would be a great reason to go to DEMA to meet the owners and managers of those companies and Training Systems, but I prefer to read their books and catalogs and have no need to meet them to enhance my respect for what they have done. That's what DEMA is all about, a social gathering more than anything else.
I prefer the raw, energetic, wide-eyed fun of the retail dive shows instead. There's a lot of creatures of the deep walking around- some tadpoles, some old salts, some- you just never know.
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h2odragon1
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OWU it's local for me.
Duane, have you ever thought of joining another exhibitor and displaying your training services? You could assist them at their booth and they, in return could let you offer your business cards.
Duane, have you ever thought of joining another exhibitor and displaying your training services? You could assist them at their booth and they, in return could let you offer your business cards.
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The reason why I'm not fond of OWU is the exhibit hall. The dive stores are not allowed to sell any gear. That is why you don't see them selling regulators, BCDs. Much of the time it is the stores trying to unload small accessories, t-shirts, and junk they haven't been able to sell at the shop. It has been somewhat disappointing. If you are looking for a dry suit, then many of the manufacturers are there and you can see their inventory, but can't take orders or recommend a specific dive shop (gotta be fair to all dealers). So OWU has turned into more of a social gather. DEMA is a place to see new dive gear coming to the market as well meet company execs. I also don't go to DEMA, my wife doesn't trust me in Vegas by myself.
I will say, the thing I love most about about OWU is the film festival. The ones with videos, not just picture slide shows. Even though I love shipwrecks and caves, many of those films about reefs and reef critters are very good and it makes me miss the warm waters. Stan Waterman is also a fun old guy and is a great story teller.
But OWU normally falls in the middle of February. That is when we are starting to get a good layer of ice. So I'd rather be diving than at a dive show talking about diving.
I will say, the thing I love most about about OWU is the film festival. The ones with videos, not just picture slide shows. Even though I love shipwrecks and caves, many of those films about reefs and reef critters are very good and it makes me miss the warm waters. Stan Waterman is also a fun old guy and is a great story teller.
But OWU normally falls in the middle of February. That is when we are starting to get a good layer of ice. So I'd rather be diving than at a dive show talking about diving.
TRIBOLUBE71
Contributor
It would be the first time we attend either show. I look forward to hearing about both prior to exhibiting this year. They both appear equal, to get the word out about Tribolube. Like DEMA was this year.
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