There will be at least ONE new thing at DEMA this year!
This will not only be MY first time at a DEMA show, but it will also mark the first appearance that a new venture will be making at DEMA. In fact, it will be the first appearance that this new venture will be making ANYWHERE!
As most SBers know, Ive had much to say over the past few years about marketing and advertising relative to scuba diving. In particular, Ive been a vocal proponent of the need for
everyone in the industry to take a more rigorous approach to understanding and attracting potential new divers. (And to keeping existing divers active and engaged as well!)
Having spent the last 25 years in various sales, marketing research, consulting, marketing, and advertising roles working on everything from $500 guerrilla marketing tactics to $5-million Super Bowl ads Ive had the opportunity to help brands, organizations, and entire industries leverage a disciplined approach to marketing to drive growth. As an avid diver, active DM, and now Scuba Instructor I know first-hand what its like for a new diver to experience the wonder of the underwater world
and to continue to fall ever more in love with scuba diving every time they enter the water. I figure now is as good a time as any to try to combine my profession with my avocation and see what happens.
Consistent with something I was taught about marketing very early on If you start out thinking you already know the right path
youre already lost Im going into this without much of a roadmap. So here I am at DEMA with a box of new business cards, my official "DEMA Noob" name badge, and every intention of doing more listening than talking. Will be interesting to see what come of the experience. Who knows, I might be begging for my old job back before the week is out!
If for some strange reason you have an interest in finding out what Im seeing, hearing, and thinking in Las Vegas at DEMA Show 2014 feel free to follow @AquisMarketing. Also, be sure to let the attendees and exhibitors of #DEMAshow know what you think the industry needs to do to #GrowDiving !
