INDUSTRY NEWS continued
Challenges Facing Dive Businesses: Fabsik-Swarts assumes leadership at a complicated time. Dive businesses continue to face higher fuel expenses, increased insurance costs, tariffs and pressure on the prices of imported products. “The industry is getting squeezed on all sides right now,” she said. Those pressures affect companies differently. Boat operators feel fuel costs immediately. Retailers must manage higher equipment costs while remaining competitive with online sellers. Resorts and travel providers must account for trans- portation, labor and insurance expenses while keeping packages affordable. DEMA cannot eliminate these challenges, but a trade as- sociation can collect reliable information, advocate for the industry, connect members with resources and bring businesses together to work on shared problems. “Understanding where we are and how we can help as a trade association can really make a difference,” Fabsik-Swarts said. Research is one example of that value. As chair of DEMA’s
develop their careers. “We want DEMA to be there for professionals on a year-round basis,” she said. “We want to help grow businesses, support professional development and help people pursue their aspirations as dive profession- als.” She also wants people working in diving to be recognized for the knowledge and experience their careers require. “We want to make sure dive professionals are valued and treated as professionals,” she said. “No matter what aspect of the in- dustry you are in, we want DEMA to be an association you feel strongly that you have to be part of and that you are missing something if you are not.” That is an ambitious goal, and Fabsik-Swarts acknowledges that it will take time. “We have a long way to go,” she said. “We are going to be doing a lot of strategizing and work in that area.” Celebrating 50 Years in New Orleans: While the longer- term strategy develops, Fabsik-Swarts is also preparing for DEMA Show 2026 in New Orleans. She arrived shortly
Research Committee, I have seen how difficult it can be for an individual dive retailer to gather dependable information about participation, customers and industry trends. DEMA members have access to re- search that would be difficult and expensive for most individual businesses to obtain in- dependently. The question facing the asso- ciation is how to communicate those benefits more effectively and create additional reasons for professionals to remain engaged through- out the year.
before the Show, leaving little time to make major changes to an event already well into production. Her approach has been to learn the existing operation, meet members and help deliver a successful Show. This year also marks DEMA’s 50th an- niversary. The association is planning a Thursday evening celebration, and Fabsik- Swarts said more than 500 tickets have already been sold at the time of our interview. Attendance is limited, so members planning to participate should make their arrangements
early. Fabsik-Swarts will formally meet members during the Wednesday member breakfast. The event will also include asso- ciation updates and industry awards. The Show remains important because it places many different parts of the industry in the same building. Retailers come to see
More Than the DEMA Show For many dive professionals, the word DEMA means the an- nual trade show rather than the association behind it. Fabsik- Swarts wants to change that per- ception. “Some people say, ‘I only become a member when I’m going to the show,’” she said. “We want to make DEMA a place where, when you get that renewal notice, you say, ‘I have to renew because I don’t want to miss something.’” Building year-round value will require more than adding occasional member benefits. DEMA must help members operate stronger businesses and help individual professionals
products, meet vendors, evaluate destinations and attend educational sessions. However, some of the most valuable conversations happen outside scheduled appointments. “It is an opportunity to connect on a real personal level,” she said. “Whether you are a hugger, a handshaker or someone
SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY | 69
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker