The post DEMA dive industry
- Thread starter cerich
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
mike_s
Contributor
excellent post/topic Chris.
I don't expect that anyone will miss them.
yeah... some folks enjoy going to the Dema show every year, but I bet half of that is just to see old friends instead of looking at the same items that were in the booths from previous years...
seeing how the show is no longer about "big ordering time" for the manufacturers that it used to be.... is there a real reason for them or the show?
I don't expect that anyone will miss them.
yeah... some folks enjoy going to the Dema show every year, but I bet half of that is just to see old friends instead of looking at the same items that were in the booths from previous years...
seeing how the show is no longer about "big ordering time" for the manufacturers that it used to be.... is there a real reason for them or the show?
cool_hardware52
Contributor
Leadking
Contributor
DEMA has done an exception job of pi**ing away the industry's resource.
Here is another story-I have lots of them!
We had a DEMA meeting at the Scuba Show in Long Beach (circa 1995). The Board came up with the idea of spending $750k on a cable tv ad program. I argued that it was a poor use of resources AND THEY AGREED. I wanted to accumulate funds so that we would have the resources to do a major campaign instead of a series of half baked attempts. I asked why they would do this and the reply was "The industry is hurting and we have to show we care". I replied "so you're willing to do this to get re-elected" and their answer was obviously "yes".
Another fiasco was the Jeep give away. Time and time again, given the resources to do it, DEMA will find a way to pi** the money away. That was why I left. I was a front man for an ineffective organization and could not deal with it.
Here is another story-I have lots of them!
We had a DEMA meeting at the Scuba Show in Long Beach (circa 1995). The Board came up with the idea of spending $750k on a cable tv ad program. I argued that it was a poor use of resources AND THEY AGREED. I wanted to accumulate funds so that we would have the resources to do a major campaign instead of a series of half baked attempts. I asked why they would do this and the reply was "The industry is hurting and we have to show we care". I replied "so you're willing to do this to get re-elected" and their answer was obviously "yes".
Another fiasco was the Jeep give away. Time and time again, given the resources to do it, DEMA will find a way to pi** the money away. That was why I left. I was a front man for an ineffective organization and could not deal with it.
Well, I hope it hangs on long enough so I can finally attend one of them... in Vegas of course.
I have to say, I was thinking exactly the same thing myself.
Jeff
Jeff
widget
Contributor
I maybe think the industry is already to a certain extent "bypassing" the Dema shop window.? I think most of them know there is life beyond a Dema driven market, and are embracing the electronic media to talk to their suppliers and customers.
In the distant past Dema formed a base where it was easy to access a number of suppliers, look at product, feel and touch, try it on, negotiate incentives discuss issues, and, most importantly, place orders!.
However, today the world is a lot smaller, and suppliers and customers are already interacting closely during the year, few suppliers will write new orders at Dema and fewer suppliers will find new customers at Dema - the "hayday" is gone, the market is defined, today suppliers are just happy to keep the customers they have and vice versa.
I can honestly say I usually have samples of all the latest products on my desk before Dema, I have an updated, upcoming year price list sent in September already, and, if I have questions, I can just pick up the phone and its done. Why do I need to travel to Dema for a 30 minute rushed session with the supplier.?
Most of us in the trade have defined suppliers, we are not really looking for new ones, so the idea of bringing all these other "people" to the table, only works for an "end consumer", for an established trade vendor I think its irrelevant.
In the distant past Dema formed a base where it was easy to access a number of suppliers, look at product, feel and touch, try it on, negotiate incentives discuss issues, and, most importantly, place orders!.
However, today the world is a lot smaller, and suppliers and customers are already interacting closely during the year, few suppliers will write new orders at Dema and fewer suppliers will find new customers at Dema - the "hayday" is gone, the market is defined, today suppliers are just happy to keep the customers they have and vice versa.
I can honestly say I usually have samples of all the latest products on my desk before Dema, I have an updated, upcoming year price list sent in September already, and, if I have questions, I can just pick up the phone and its done. Why do I need to travel to Dema for a 30 minute rushed session with the supplier.?
Most of us in the trade have defined suppliers, we are not really looking for new ones, so the idea of bringing all these other "people" to the table, only works for an "end consumer", for an established trade vendor I think its irrelevant.
Personally I think the industry will do just fine without the organization. Outside of a few select markets they really aren't interested in helping or fixing anything. For the organization to really matter outside of the show they would need to do a complete overhaul of the way they run the organization, which isn't going to happen since there is enough players on the board with enough votes from their companies to stiffle what ever it is the majority wants or needs, you take 24 small guys that want change, and 1 big guy to not want change, presto the big guy with his 25 votes now represents the majority.
I think the industry is ready for change, DEMA is really just the start of it, but it is also the root of most discontent within the industry. Hell a change might just mean the industry becomes more approachable and more responsive to the locale diving climate.
I think the industry is ready for change, DEMA is really just the start of it, but it is also the root of most discontent within the industry. Hell a change might just mean the industry becomes more approachable and more responsive to the locale diving climate.
Leadking
Contributor
The really bigquestion here seems to be ignored. Most seem to be disappointed in Dema, but the question is; If you were able to change the organization
what would you change it to? What would be the agenda?
A focused tight agenda with broad support is needed in my opinion. How do you develop a consensus?
Years ago I had a group asking me to run for the Board of DEMA again. I said I would be part of a slate of like minded candidates but I would not be a Don Quixote tilting at windmills. They all wanted someone else (me) to do it. My advise to you, is that if you go down this path, go shoulder to shoulder, find a leader whose principles mirror your own and blindly support them. The side issues and minutiae will destroy you if you let it
what would you change it to? What would be the agenda?
A focused tight agenda with broad support is needed in my opinion. How do you develop a consensus?
Years ago I had a group asking me to run for the Board of DEMA again. I said I would be part of a slate of like minded candidates but I would not be a Don Quixote tilting at windmills. They all wanted someone else (me) to do it. My advise to you, is that if you go down this path, go shoulder to shoulder, find a leader whose principles mirror your own and blindly support them. The side issues and minutiae will destroy you if you let it
I fear there isn't much to salvage from DEMA. This time it will have to be more revolution than evolution. Of course we continue doing what works and fix what is broken; Who could argue against that? The trick is making that determination for the entire industry...
Pros
people stop creating whiny anti DEMA threads/posts
personal responsibility increases (by default)
new and effective organization emerges (first rule of scuba, never hold your breath)
industry stops wasting resources on an infective organization
industry escapes perceived overlords and realizes they have free will
industry forced to take a hard look at itself and make some overdue decisions
Cons
lot of resources wasted in transition
still have to play nice with would be ex-DEMA
industry loses more ground due to internal fighting over new path (who's our new leader?)
takes years to determine success or failure
Ideas
"be the change you want to see in the world" - Mahatma Gandhi
DEMA sucks, but they are not solely responsible for the entire industry
Stop sending money to DEMA if you don't like them
Don't go to the Show if it is not profitable
Diving needs a large, sexy Consumer Show (partner with boating, surfing, etc.)
Market to the youth (it works for tobacco)
BOD should be divers, not golfers
DEMA says all the right things:
Unfortunately they have consistently achieved poor results
To some degree this is similar to why we started Seaduction (to be the change). I still have a lot of work ahead with our start up, so I'm not ready to take on the DEMA issue yet... but I will say that the industry's woes are a recurring conversation. We have discussed show options, the root problems, etc with some heavy hitters. Please know we are not satisfied and are willing to do our part. We also know there are numerous others willing to join forces to restore Diving to its former glory.
Pros
people stop creating whiny anti DEMA threads/posts
personal responsibility increases (by default)
new and effective organization emerges (first rule of scuba, never hold your breath)
industry stops wasting resources on an infective organization
industry escapes perceived overlords and realizes they have free will
industry forced to take a hard look at itself and make some overdue decisions
Cons
lot of resources wasted in transition
still have to play nice with would be ex-DEMA
industry loses more ground due to internal fighting over new path (who's our new leader?)
takes years to determine success or failure
Ideas
"be the change you want to see in the world" - Mahatma Gandhi
DEMA sucks, but they are not solely responsible for the entire industry
Stop sending money to DEMA if you don't like them
Don't go to the Show if it is not profitable
Diving needs a large, sexy Consumer Show (partner with boating, surfing, etc.)
Market to the youth (it works for tobacco)
BOD should be divers, not golfers
DEMA says all the right things:
Unfortunately they have consistently achieved poor results
To some degree this is similar to why we started Seaduction (to be the change). I still have a lot of work ahead with our start up, so I'm not ready to take on the DEMA issue yet... but I will say that the industry's woes are a recurring conversation. We have discussed show options, the root problems, etc with some heavy hitters. Please know we are not satisfied and are willing to do our part. We also know there are numerous others willing to join forces to restore Diving to its former glory.
Similar threads
