DEMA Seminar Schedule
ARE YOU READY TO GET OUT OF HERE? WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
Stop by Room 221 throughout the week at DEMA for details on some of the world’s best dive destinations
and some unique business topics including practical advice for dive centers selling travel.
Scroll below to see descriptions of our exciting line up!
| Time | Tuesday 11/19 | Wednesday 11/20 | Thursday 11/21 | Friday 11/22 |
| Before the show: 8:30am | Round Table: Integrating Sustainability and expand your business and your bottom line. – Deep Blue Adventures, Dr. Alex Brylske, and Reef World | |||
| 10am | TBD | Underwater Iceland – Magma Dive | Building Deep Customer Connections Through Dive Travel: A Prospective From Maya Angelou – Dr. Alex Brylske | Creative Macro – Byron Conroy |
| 11am | Explore Costa Rica’s Natural Wonders: From Vibrant Ocean Depths to Majestic Volcanoes, Stunning Waterfalls, Thrilling Adventures, and Diverse Wildlife – Bill Beard Costa Rica | CYA! Travel selling basics to help protect your business. – Deep Blue Adventures | Indonesia’s Best Diving Across the Archipelago – Subculture | Australia’s Most Unique Marine Encounters – Diveplanit |
| 12pm | Discover Curaçao – The Hidden Gem of the Caribbean – Dive Curacao | Cuba: Gardens of the Queen – Avalon | Business Branding and Brand Refreshing – Cathryn Castle | Navigating the shift to an eco-conscious business model – Green Fins |
| 1pm | TBD | Connect. Profit. Repeat – Creating Personal Connections: Bonus session. -Cathryn Castle | Mozambique – The ultimate in underwater diversity – Deep Blue Adventures | Top 5 Reasons Malaysia is a Diver’s Paradise – Tourism Malaysia |
| 2pm | From Dive Center to Adventure Center – Taking your business to the next level. – Deep Blue Adventures | Enjoy The Philippines with Atlantis Resorts and Liveaboards – Marty Snyderman | The Great Barrier Reef Explained – From North to South – Diveplanit | |
| 3pm | Top 5 Reasons Malaysia is a Diver’s Paradise – Tourism Malaysia | The best of 333 islands – Fiji’s top dive experiences – Waidroka Bay Resort, Volivoli Beach Resort, and Paradise Taveuni Resort | Statia – The Caribbean’s Best Kept Secret – Scubaqua | |
| 4pm | The Changing Face of the Dive Travel Industry…or is it? – Dr. Alex Brylske | Total Tahiti – Fluid Tahiti | ||
| 5pm | Connect. Profit. Repeat – B2B Connections: Bonus session. -Cathryn Castle | Maximum Maldives – Exploring 26 atolls of Magnificence – Deep Blue Adventures |
TUESDAY, November 19th
11 AM – Bill Beard Costa Rica – Explore Costa Rica’s Natural Wonders: From Vibrant Ocean Depths to Majestic Volcanoes, Stunning Waterfalls, Thrilling Adventures, and Diverse Wildlife
Experience the ultimate adventure in Costa Rica with Deep Blue Adventures and Bill Beard’s Costa Rica. Our dive and adventure packages take you from the vibrant ocean depths, teeming with marine life, to the majestic waterfalls and breathtaking volcanoes in the interior of Costa Rica. Enjoy world-class diving, explore lush rainforests, and immerse yourself in the natural wonders of Costa Rica. Perfect for thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike, our Costa Rica travel packages offer a unique blend of underwater exploration and terrestrial adventure, ensuring an unforgettable journey through one of the world’s most diverse and beautiful landscapes. Come join us to learn more and experience all the diverse beauty the country has to offer.
12 PM – Dive Curacao – Discover Curaçao – The Hidden Gem of the Caribbean
Join Dive Curacao and Deep Blue Adventures at DEMA 2024 for “Discover Curaçao: The Hidden Gem of the Caribbean.” Learn why Curaçao is renowned as one of the best overall dive vacation destinations. Uncover its stunning underwater landscapes, vibrant marine life, and unique cultural experiences. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore exclusive travel packages and expert insights. Dive into adventure with us – mark your calendar and be inspired to plan your next unforgettable dive trip to Curaçao!
2 PM – Deep Blue Adventures – From Dive Center to Adventure Center – Taking your business to the next level.
The dive community is shrinking. While there is much effort and discussion on reviving our industry (and we are very much dedicated to doing that), speaking candidly, regrowing our industry is not an overnight fix. What both new and experienced divers are seeking has changed dramatically over the past two decades. Keeping up with the latest trends and demands is essential to the success and growth of your enterprise. Diversifying what your business offers not only provides an immediate new revenue stream and expands your client base, but it can grow your dive sales too. Whether its small changes or you are ready to build your empire, explore the why and how to take your business to the next level.
3 PM – Tourism Malaysia – Top 5 Reasons Malaysia is a Diver’s Paradise
Discover Malaysia’s exceptional diving opportunities, available year-round due to alternating east and west coast rainy seasons. This makes Malaysia a perfect destination for divers at any time. Catering to all levels, including families and beginners, Malaysia offers calm, protected waters and easily accessible dive sites. Marvel at Malaysia’s rich marine life, featuring top-ranked dive spots like Sipadan Island, home to thousands of fish and reef species. Committed to sustainability, Malaysia actively conserves its marine ecosystems. When not diving, indulge in luxury resorts, pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and renowned cuisine, making Malaysia an all-encompassing diving destination. Come learn about five reasons Malaysia is a Diver’s Paradise!
WEDNESDAY, November 20th
10 AM – Magma Dive – Underwater Iceland
Join us as Byron Conroy discusses what makes Iceland unique as a dive destination and discuss the dive sites, the types of underwater encounters you will get and the unique marine life. With 10 years of photos from his collection, you will see the beauty of Iceland in places such as flooded ice caves underneath glaciers, the hydrothermal vents of Strytan, diving moulins, wolffish mating, geothermal lakes and of course the world famous Silfra fissure. We will also discuss some of the topside activities that you can incorporate into a trip to Iceland!
11 AM – Deep Blue Adventures – CYA! Travel selling basics to help protect your business.
Vital information for retail dive centers regarding terms and conditions, payments, requirements regarding travel insurance and more to minimizing your exposure against chargebacks and worse when it comes to the business of selling travel.
12 PM – Avalon – Cuba: Gardens of the Queen
Come discover one of the most fully intact and thriving reef systems in the Caribbean! With daily non-stop flights into Cuba – traveling to this beautiful island frozen in time has never been easier. Join Kelly Brock, US Dive Sales Manager to answer all the questions about travel logistics, boat amenities, what to expect in addition to just the diving, and more! Don’t miss experiencing the results of 30 years of conservation. Our all -inclusive liveaboard trips run Saturday through Saturday and depart out of Jucaro Port (south central side of the island). Guests are included in participatory environmental projects throughout their week that integrate perfectly into the diving schedule, supporting long term sustainable conservation initiatives. All guests are granted a certificate of participation and completion of this humanitarian and environmental project along with a full itinerary of activities that qualify them for legal travel under the current US and Cuban regulations. The Gardens of the Queen is such a unique marine protected area and it’s absolutely perfect for ALL level of diver and non-diver. In addition to diving we have lots of other eco-adventures, like snorkeling, and paddling boarding through the mangroves and sea grass flats along with Crocodile encounters, beach visits with the Jutias, and bird watching.
1 PM – Cathryn Castle – Connect. Profit. Repeat – Creating Personal Connections: Bonus session.
Continuing the discussion from her DEMA sponsored seminar earlier today, WDHOF inductee, Magazine Editor, Author, and Consultant Cathryn Castle delves deeper into how to create personal connections that grow your business in this follow up session. Whether you attended her morning presentation on the subject or are using this as a stand-alone seminar, Cathryn digs into the “how” to connect you and your business with your neighbors in ways that build valuable relationships using a blend of psychology, practical applications, and easily accessible resources. Attendees will have time for collaborative conversations with Cathryn on ideas, challenges, and resources available specific to your business and can walk away with an action plan personalized for you. This session is ideal for dive center owners, managers, and staff, and it will also benefit independent instructors and travel specialists.
2 PM – Marty Snyderman – Enjoy The Philippines with Atlantis Resorts and Liveaboards
CHANCE FOR A FREE TRIP FOR THOSE IN ATTENDANCE! Allow Atlantis Photography Ambassador Marty Snyderman to show you what diving is like from the Azores and at the Atlantis resorts in Dumaguete and Puerto Galera where we want you to come as our guest and leave as our friend. Gain insights into the astonishing diversity of marine creatures seen while exploring ecosystems that range from classic muck dive settings to stunning walls where excellent visibility, spectacular seascapes, colorful fishes, turtles, and more are the norm.
3 PM – Waidroka Bay Resort, Volivoli Beach Resort, and Paradise Taveuni Resort – The best of 333 islands – Fiji’s top dive experiences
The Fijian islands offer a diverse array of experiences above and below the water. With so many options it can be overwhelming! We share with you some of our absolute favorite regions in the soft coral capital of the world. Learn more to help you decide between areas ranging from stunning macro to a variety of sharks, whales, and everything in between. Or maybe you don’t have to choose…
4 PM – Dr. Alex Brylske – The Changing Face of the Dive Travel Industry…or is it?
The Baby Boom generation has long been the diving industry’s core consumer. However, as this generation ages, we must turn our attention to a new customer base. Gen Z and Millennials account for 43% and 49% of the U.S. and global population, respectively, and over the next two decades, they will receive a wealth transfer of approximately $84 trillion, the largest in history. Yet, these groups have been largely ignored by the diving industry, assuming they have little interest in diving because “they don’t have the income” or “they can be torn away from their cell phones and video games.” This seminar will explain why these assumptions are patently false and how you can redirect your travel marketing efforts to capture this vital demographic.
5 PM – Cathryn Castle – Connect. Profit. Repeat – B2B Connections: Bonus session.
Continuing the discussion from her DEMA sponsored seminar earlier today, WDHOF inductee, Magazine Editor, Author, and Consultant Cathryn Castle delves deeper into how reaching out to local business owners/managers as potential customers and collaborators can grow your business and bottom line. Whether you attended her earlier presentation on this subject or are using this as a stand-alone seminar, Cathryn digs into the “how” to connect you and your business with other businesses in your community in ways that build valuable relationships — and put money in your pocket. Attendees will have time for collaborative conversations with Cathryn on ideas, challenges, and resources available specific to your business and can walk away with an action plan personalized for you crafting valuable B2B relationships and engagement within your community. This session is ideal for business owners and managers.
THURSDAY, November 21st
8:30 AM – Deep Blue Adventures, Dr. Alex Brylske, and Reef World – Round Table: Integrating Sustainability and expand your business and your bottom line.
To grow your bottom line as a retail dive center, you need to expand and diversify what you offer to keep up with the latest trends & appeal to a new or younger audience. Travel is a powerful tool and should be a highly profitable part of your business with the potential to surpass gear and class sales. Enhancing your diving packages with conservation experiences that work simultaneously for the environment and your bottom line is just one of the ways to achieve this. Join our round table that includes industry experts Chloe Harvey, Executive Director of Reef World Foundation, Dr. Alex Brylske, President of Ocean Education International and Cheryl Patterson, CEO of Deep Blue Adventures. You will hear from dive centers who are already running profitable and impactful conservation packages, explore how these could be replicated for your specific situation, and discuss potential risks and challenges to help you navigate the journey towards kick starting these in your dive center.
10 AM – Dr. Alex Brylske – Building Deep Customer Connections Through Dive Travel: A Prospective From Maya Angelou
Diving is more than just an opportunity to blow bubbles; it is a unique way to experience the other two-thirds of our planet. It can and should involve a meaningful connection with the environment. Yet, this often doesn’t happen, so the experience becomes just an opportunity to “see all the pretty fish.” This seminar is about taking your travel program to the next level. Come learn novel ways to engage and inspire your divers about the underwater world, creating fiercely loyal customers who are also ocean advocates—and put more money into your pocket.
11 AM – Subculture – Indonesia’s Best Diving Across the Archipelago
Join Nauticam Ambassador Hergen Spalink for a trip across the Indonesian Archipelago through photos and videos collected over his 15 years of diving and living throughout the country.
12 PM – Cathryn Castle – Business Branding and Brand Refreshing
What does your business do and how do you get your message across to potential customers? We’ll define branding, look at how and why it works and help you determine if your business is ready for a brand makeover and how to achieve it.
1 PM – Deep Blue Adventures – Mozambique – The ultimate in underwater diversity
CHANCE FOR A FREE TRIP FOR THOSE IN ATTENDANCE! Are you seeking the extraordinary? The area of Baixe do Tofo offers some of the most diverse diving in Mozambique. Where else can you get nudis, shrimp and porcelain crabs to eels, schools of game fish, manta, shark, and whale shark underwater all on a single 30-minute dive. From walls teeming with macro life to ocean safaris swimming with Africa’s underwater Big Five, this area of Mozambique has it all! Learn more about this thrilling destination that is a diver’s dream, yet still holds more to be explored. Seminar attendees will have the chance to win door prizes plus be part of the Six ways to Win a trip to Africa!
2 PM – Diveplanit – The Great Barrier Reef Explained – From North to South
Stretching for 1429 miles over an area of approximately 133,000 square miles, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world. Along its vast length, expect a wide array of diving experiences, from pelagic action and exciting drift dives in the remote Coral Sea Reefs, encounters with minke whales and giant potato cod on the Ribbon Reefs in the far north, to close encounters with nesting turtles on Heron Island and mating mantas on Lady Elliot Island in the far south. Diveplanit’s GBR experts will show you where to go, when to go, what you’ll see and how to get there. Diveplanit Travel’s team of travel consultants have years of first-hand experience diving the Great Barrier Reef from north to south and can answer all your questions. Where to go, what to see, when to go, where to stay and how to plan the very best, once-in-a-lifetime Australian dive vacation.
3 PM – Scubaqua – Statia – The Caribbean’s Best Kept Secret
CHANCE FOR A FREE TRIP FOR THOSE IN ATTENDANCE! If you’ve never heard about this small, undiscovered island in the Caribbean, it’s only because it’s a well-kept secret. St. Eustatius (Statia in local slang), was once the busiest port of the Caribbean in the eighteenth century, and is now a sleepy island where time has stood still. The reefs surrounding St. Eustatius are flourishing in a protected marine park. Under water, you will experience what much of the Caribbean must have looked like many years ago. Add some historical dive sites and more recent sunken wrecks to the mix and you’ve got yourself a divers paradise! During this presentation you’ll discover why Statia is one of the best places for scuba diving and why you should visit. Did we mention that we will be raffling off a free trip to one lucky seminar attendee, courtesy of Scubaqua?
4 PM – Fluid Tahiti – Total Tahiti
The Island of Tahiti is blessed with an exceptional heritage of beautiful landscapes and rich wildlife. Its marine and terrestrial fauna makes Tahiti a MUST to see destination in French Polynesia. Sheltered from the mass tourism of neighboring islands, Fluid Tahiti offers high-quality excursions and various activities such: Whale watching, Full Day Dive Adventure, Fun dives, Escape game, Sunset Cruises and snorkeling trips.
5 PM – Deep Blue Adventures – Maximum Maldives – Exploring 26 atolls of Magnificence
Mating Manta aggregations, whale sharks going bump in the night, and swimming through a plethora of fish as graceful sharks of various species go gliding by. Maldives offers some of the most incredible diving in the world. With almost 1200 islands, there is something for all levels of divers. With multiple itineraries to choose from between across 26 atolls, this is a destination that can be repeated with a different but equally amazing experience every time. Discover what is so special about this highly demanded destination and navigate through the huge variety of options with us to identify the best for you and your clients.
FRIDAY, November 22nd
10 AM – Byron Conroy – Creative Macro
Oyear Byron Conroy has placed in the top 3 in the macro category in all of the major International Underwater photo comps including Ocean Art, DPG and Underwater photographer of the year, in this talk we will discuss creative macro techniques to take your photos to the next level, we will cover a variety of advanced macro photography techniques, everything from shallow depth of field, creamy bokeh, artificial backgrounds to slow shutter photography. Byron will show the secrets of these techniques and give editing tips for each of these to make the finished photo image pop from the screen!
11 AM – Diveplanit – Australia’s Most Unique Marine Encounters
Australia boasts many truly unique marine encounters. Only downunder can you: swim with dwarf minke whales on the Great Barrier Reef, watch manta trains on Lady Elliot Island or ragged-tooth sharks at Wolf Rock, swim with whale sharks on Ningaloo Reef. In Sydney, we’ll show you where to find weedy seadragons, and the hidden macro wonders of Sydney Harbour. In South Australia, go in search of leafy seadragons – creatures found nowhere else in the world, great white sharks at the Neptune Islands, and of course, there’s the enormous orgy of over 200,000 giant cuttlefish in Whyalla. Diveplanit Travel’s team of travel consultants have years of first-hand experience diving Australia’s very best dive sites and can answer all your questions. Where to go, what to see, when to go, where to stay and how to plan the very best, once-in-a-lifetime Australian dive vacation.
12 PM – Green Fins – Navigating the shift to an eco-conscious business model
Join this session to learn where to start to improve the sustainability of your dive operations. Pick up some actionable tips and tricks to make small changes impactful daily habits across your staff team. Walk away with a heap of resources and guides. Gain access to support tools to help you along the way.
1 PM – Tourism Malaysia – Top 5 Reasons Malaysia is a Diver’s Paradise
Discover Malaysia’s exceptional diving opportunities, available year-round due to alternating east and west coast rainy seasons. This makes Malaysia a perfect destination for divers at any time. Catering to all levels, including families and beginners, Malaysia offers calm, protected waters and easily accessible dive sites. Marvel at Malaysia’s rich marine life, featuring top-ranked dive spots like Sipadan Island, home to thousands of fish and reef species. Committed to sustainability, Malaysia actively conserves its marine ecosystems. When not diving, indulge in luxury resorts, pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and renowed cuisine, making Malaysia an all-encompassing diving destination. Come learn about five reasons Malaysia is a Diver’s Paradise!
LET US TURN YOUR DREAM INTO A JOURNEY.
