DEMA SHOW Six Strategies for Success at the DEMA Show! – by Tec Clark, Diving Industry Educator, Content Creator & Consultant
Tec is a diving professional with over 30 years’ experience teaching at the university level. Tec consults with dive pro- fessionals on topics related to risk management and college/university programs and host of the popular Dive Locker Podcast and League of Extraordinary Divers Podcast: tec@scubaguru.com or (954) 495-7810.
What I have seen over 30 years of going to the DEMA Show, is that MANY dive pro’s aren’t doing the Show the right way. When I hear a dive pro say it wasn’t worth it, I learn quickly that they’re not applying strategies that would make attending the DEMA Show actually profitable for their dive busi-
The DEMA App is simply a must have as it is literally the most effective tool to make your Show experience productive. Once you have the app, now it’s time to plan your activities. Strategy #4 Select Seminars: Once you have the DEMA Show App, every seminar is at your fingertips. There are DEMA sponsored seminars and exhibitor sponsored semi- nars. Here you get presentations from experts inside and out- side the diving industry – many who are professional speakers in business, social media, and marketing – who give high cal- iber business lectures and presentations. And if you can’t make one seminar then just look at the calendar. Often, they do the same seminar on another day at a different time. Strategy #5 Visiting Exhibitors: Now remember this is an exhibit hall with between 500-600 exhibitors. You want to make sure that you see everyone you want, and just wandering up and down the aisles is not the most efficient way to go. Remember, everything you need for a diving business is at this show - training agencies, equipment manufacturers, re- sorts, travel companies, liveaboards, compressor manufactur- ers, wholesale clothing suppliers, etc. So open your app and start favoriting the exhibitors you want to see. Then, they'll automatically pop up on the floor map for you. Strategy #6 Networking: According to DEMA surveys, the number one reason people come to the DEMA Show is networking. This takes place in many ways. Second, there are the socials hosted by the major players. Some might be at the convention center, some at the host hotel and some at bars or nightclubs off site. Go to these events and have a drink and appetizers with other dive professionals. It's a great way to meet and get to know others both professionally and per- sonally.
nesses. So that’s my goal; to give you six strategies that will make going to the DEMA Show tremendously successful for you and your dive business. Strategy #1 Become a DEMA Member: If you have a diving business or brand, you should be a member of DEMA. With dues starting at only $200 a year, you will make that back easily on resources and registration to the DEMA Show. Strategy #2 Commit and Register Early: So many peo- ple say, “I'll wait and see how my business is doing before de- ciding to go.” But what happens is you wait too long and you miss hotel discounts, early bird registration and cheaper air fare. Instead, just commit to going every year, then as soon as registration and hotel go live you get in on the early bird rates, saving you a literally few hundred dollars. Strategy #3 Download the DEMA Show App: The DEMA Show Mobile App is a native application for smart- phones (iPhone and Android). With the DEMA Show mobile app, you can: Stay organized with up-to-the-minute Exhibitor, ▪ Speaker, and Event information Build a personalized schedule and bookmark ex- ▪ hibitors Take notes and download event handouts and presen- ▪ tations Interactively locate exhibitors on the Show floor ▪
So there you have it! If you’re going to the DEMA Show connect with me on the DEMA App. Go to DEMAShow.com to register. See you at The Show!
email Tec
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