cleung
Contributor
Thank you Eric. I'll have to check out these shows for info. I take it that you have been to these shows?ericfine50:
Too early for 2006 yet?
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ericfine50
Contributor
Yes - I used to work for Sartek and went to DEMA with them in 2000. BTS is a huge consumer show. You get divers from all over the Northeast. It is massive. Boston Sea Rovers is going on for 52 years now. It is one of those shows that people go to (mfg) because of the name recognition. A lot of good contacts are made there. The SCUBA Show - Never attended,but I have heard it is the West Cost version of DEMA.
cleung:
DEMA can be good, but it is pricy. If you are not a member of DEMA, the booth space is over $21/sq ft, and the costs to move your stuff into the convention hall was very expensive if you had the mob, er, union move it in and out for you (61 cents a pound), and if you need lighting or anything more than a simple booth setup, you had to pay for that as well. Not sure if that will be the case in Orlando or not, but forewarned is forearmed!
Also, before signing on the dotted line for the booth, determine if you are targeting your stuff to the general consumer, or on getting your apparel into scuba shops for THEM to peddle to the masses. If the latter, then DEMA is the more appropriate venue. If you want to go direct and sell to the masses via the web (after the show) one of the consumer shows would probably give you a better bang for your buck.
FWIW, There were A LOT of clothing-type vendors at the Vegas show, so the competition may be a bit fierce next year, although not all vendors who were at this show will make the trek to the other side of the country for next year.
Just my two cents.
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offroaddiver
Guest
be associated with a dive shop or manufacturer. I'd like to go to a DEMA show but from what I've heard I'd have to start working at the LDS for minimum wage. I heard that you can volunteer with setup or something like that or something like that.
bruehlt
Contributor
offroaddiver:
Good question - I'd like to know that too. How does ticketing work?
bruehlt
Contributor
Well shoot - according to this:
http://www.demashow.com/
I'm screwed! Wonder how they "verify" credentials?
http://www.demashow.com/
I'm screwed! Wonder how they "verify" credentials?
offroaddiver:
I'm a member of DEMA, so I can get up to 6 passes for the show as a "perk" for membership. I'll have at least 3 extras next year... let the bidding begin - at free!
I may not attend at all, so I may in fact have all 6 passes available. Keep in touch and I'll be happy to give them to others that can and will attend.
The Chairman
Chairman of the Board
DEMA is a trade show: it's designed for the pros to learn more about the products from the manufacturers and the resorts so they can filter out the bad and bring you the good.
There are many fine Consumer shows, like the Florida Dive Show, as well as others. ScubaBoard will be happy to promote these shows as the companies in charge of them allow us.
There are many fine Consumer shows, like the Florida Dive Show, as well as others. ScubaBoard will be happy to promote these shows as the companies in charge of them allow us.
rcontrera
Contributor
divetahoe:I'm a member of DEMA, so I can get up to 6 passes for the show as a "perk" for membership. I'll have at least 3 extras next year... let the bidding begin - at free!
I may not attend at all, so I may in fact have all 6 passes available. Keep in touch and I'll be happy to give them to others that can and will attend.
MAN!!! This is one of the reasons that the DEMA show has become such a screwed up mess! It is intended to be a trade show ... for the trade. That means, dive shops and dive industry people that buy and sell dive related stuff.
Nothing is more frustrating to an exhibitor than to have to spend time gland handing Joe Schmuck the plumber who got in because Joe knows someone that can get him a pass.
It costs the exhibitors a bunch of money to rent real estate at this shindig in hopes of attracting a few stores that can effectively sell their products. If the booth gets filled up with individuals just looking at what is cool for themselves, then the real buyers can't get in and that time and money is wasted.
And, as far as buying there, DEMA tells the exhibitors that EVERYONE who attends is a dive professional. As a result, some of the companies have what is called industry courtesy sales. Imagine how torqued off Mr. Dive Shop would be seeing Joe come in with a brand new drysuit, BC or regulator that he bought at DEMA for wholesale! You can pretty much bet that the brands that were sold to Joe would immediately get dumpped from that shop.
divetahoe ... please don't give them away to anyone that isn't actively engaged in the business. There are lots of consumer shows around teh country. Give some of those tickets away if you have a burning desire to give out passes.
(Stepping down from soapbox)
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