Florida Dive in Day 2026 to Highlight Important Industry Issues

 

Each year, DEMA sponsors “Dive in Day” at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida, giving DEMA Members the opportunity to visit our state’s Capitol, showcase their diving-related products and services, and promote issues relating to the scuba diving industry. We are excited to announce that this year’s Dive in Day at the Capitol will take place on February 19, 2026.  

Dive in Day provides a platform to engage Florida’s 160 legislators, the Governor and their staff members, and hundreds of visitors to the Capitol. DEMA has reserved the courtyard and first floor of the Capitol building to give DEMA Members and Florida-based diving businesses an opportunity to showcase Florida’s recreational diving operators. It’s an opportunity to showcase the significance of scuba diving to Florida’s economy, tourism, and marine ecosystems, while advocating for policies that support and sustain our industry.

Opportunities to Participate

1. Table-top Display at the Capitol Rotunda: We encourage members to set up interactive displays that showcase their dive shops, marine life education, or scuba diving experiences. If you are interested in exhibiting, we suggest you bring simple table-top displays, brochures, videos, product information, handouts, or other engaging materials to spark interest and conversation with lawmakers and the public.
   
   Exhibiting companies should plan to set up starting at 4:00 PM on February 18th so that your exhibit will be up and running on the morning of February 19th.* Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and are large enough to accommodate an 8ft table. For DEMA members, this is a free opportunity to reach divers, legislators, and visitors to the Capitol! If you are not a DEMA Member, check with us on how to participate in this great opportunity!
   
   Weather permitting, exhibit space is also available outside the Capitol building on a first-come, first-served basis and will accommodate a larger display. Contact Melanie Leyva for more information: mleyva@lawfla.com or (850) 201-5224.
   
   *Please be sure to let us know as soon as possible if you want to set up on the 18th by contacting Melanie Leyva: mleyva@lawfla.com or (850) 201-5224.
   
   
2. Donate Bag Stuffer Items: If you cannot attend in person, you can still support Dive in Day by contributing items for our DEMA Bags. Giveaway items, merchandise, and informational materials are distributed to attendees and lawmakers to amplify awareness of the diving industry and DEMA’s legislative messaging.
   
   
3. Lobby with Us: For those interested in bringing attention to issues critical to the Industry in Florida, on request, DEMA will arrange a time for you to meet with your state Senator or Representative or their staff members and provide you with information that will help you discuss these important topics. You can take advantage of this opportunity and participate with DEMA’s Public Policy efforts in Florida by calling Melanie Leyva at (850) 201-5224 or by email at mleyva@lawfla.com.
   
   Meeting YOUR Representative or Senator can focus attention on a variety of issues that affect the scuba diving industry, such as ecotourism, the future of the goliath grouper, spiny lobster, lionfish environmental issues, and others. DEMA will also distribute relevant information to legislators (and Capitol visitors), which includes the size of the diving industry in Florida and its importance in jobs, tourism, and the economy, with a focus on the economic benefit of Florida dive businesses and the protection of sharks and their vital role in the marine ecosystem.

To RSVP or for more information about Dive in Day at the Capitol, please contact Melanie Leyva at mleyva@lawfla.com or call (850) 201-5224. Whether you plan to exhibit, donate, or join us in lobbying efforts, your participation is invaluable. We look forward to seeing you at Dive in Day!

DEMA Announces Interim CEO & President as Executive Search Continues

 **Nicole Russell Appointed to Lead Association During Ongoing CEO Search**

The Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) today shared an update on its executive leadership transition. While the search for the Association’s next President & CEO continues, the DEMA Board of Directors is pleased to appoint Nicole Russell, CEM, as Interim CEO & President, effective immediately.

The Board remains committed to a thorough and thoughtful selection process for DEMA’s next President & CEO, as originally announced in October 2025. The appointed Search Committee is reviewing and meeting with qualified candidates and the Board expects to identify an outstanding leader who will guide DEMA into its next chapter.

In the meantime, Nicole Russell, most recently serving as Vice President, Operations, will lead the Association’s daily operations and strategic initiatives as Interim President & CEO. Russell brings deep institutional knowledge, proven leadership, and strong operational expertise to this role, ensuring continuity and stability across DEMA’s member services and industry support programs.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are confident in Nicole’s ability to lead the organization during this transitional period,” said Dan Orr, Board Chair of DEMA. “Her deep understanding of our mission, coupled with her commitment to the diving industry and our members, makes her exceptionally well-suited to lead the Association while the search for our next President & CEO continues.”

Russell added, “I am honored to serve as Interim CEO & President during this important time for DEMA. Our focus remains on delivering value to members, supporting our industry partners, and ensuring a smooth leadership transition.”

The Board will continue its executive search process and plans to share further updates with the industry as they become available.

Ben Collins Honored as DEMA’s 2025 Wave Makers Award Recipient

 **Announcement Made at the 2025 DEMA Member Update and Annual Meeting**

The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association is pleased to announce that Ben Collins is the 2025 recipient of DEMA’s Wave Makers Award. The announcement was made at the DEMA Member Update and Annual Meeting on November 12, 2025.

The Wave Makers Award was first introduced in 2017 and aims to recognize professionals who have been working in the industry for five years or less and have made a significant contribution to the industry during that time. The Wave Makers Award encourages the Industry to support a culture that fosters innovative thinking and encourages engagement with the association and industry by new professionals.

The finalists for the 2025 Wave Makers Award included:

• Ben Collins, Garmin
• Viviana Marcy, International Training, Inc
• Suzanne Tucci, Jr Scientists in the Sea

2025 DEMA Members selected Ben Collins as the 2025 Award recipient by viewing and voting for the finalist of their choice, based on the biographies and short videos that the finalists submitted.

Ben Collins has rapidly emerged as an innovator whose work is reshaping the future of dive technology. As Senior Product Manager for Garmin’s dive category, he has led the development of safety-driven, performance-enhancing tools that blend intuitive design with deep personal diving experience. In under five years, Ben has guided strategy for breakthrough technologies—from diver-to-diver messaging and enhanced surface visibility tools to integrated satellite emergency communication and eco-forward product design using recycled ocean-bound plastics. His leadership has advanced apnea training, improved coordination underwater, and expanded accessibility for both new and experienced divers.

Beyond his contributions at Garmin, Ben brings more than 25 years of scuba experience and a world-class athletic background, shaped by his career as a professional triathlete and long-time member of Team USA. His roles as a Paralympic guide and cycling pilot reflect the same precision, resilience, and user-focused mindset that define his approach to product innovation. Ben’s work consistently elevates divers as explorers and stewards, reinforcing a vision of safer, smarter, and more inclusive diving for all.

DEMA congratulates Ben Collins for his hard work and passionate service to our Industry and looks forward to seeing the contributions he will continue to make throughout his career.

Congratulations to the 2025 Diving Community Champion Awards Recipients

Once again, we'd like to congratulate the 2025 Diving Community Champion Award recipients:

• 2025 Platinum Winner: Rainbow Reef Dive Center
• 2025 Gold Winner: Maputo Dive Center
• 2025 Silver Winner: California Scuba Center

Watch their awards videos to learn more about these businesses giving back to their communities and our industry.

WATCH RECIPIENT VIDEOS

DEMA Expands Disaster Assistance Program to Aid Those Impacted by Typhoon Tino

 ** Funds Available to Assist DEMA Member Exhibitors and Buyers of DEMA Show™ 2025 **

DEMA announced today that the DEMA Executive Committee has approved the expansion of the 2025 DEMA Disaster Assistance Program to include DEMA-Member Show Exhibitors and Buyers located in the Philippines who have been impacted by Typhoon Tino.

DEMA’s Disaster Assistance Program was previously activated on October 29 to include those who were affected by Hurricane Melissa.

This additional expansion will account for exhibitors and buyers located in the Philippines as a result of Typhoon Tino. DEMA-Member companies who were negatively impacted by this storm and who planned to exhibit at DEMA Show 2025 are eligible to apply for the funds to help them exhibit. Buyers who planned to attend DEMA Show can also apply for funds to assist in staying onsite at DEMA Show.

"DEMA’s Disaster Assistance Program funds are available to DEMA Member Exhibitors at DEMA Show 2025 who are located in declared disaster areas following Hurricane Melissa and Typhoon Tino, to aid them in getting to and exhibiting at DEMA Show 2025,” said Tom Ingram, President and CEO of DEMA.  “One registered ‘Buyer’ from each DEMA-Member operation located in these designated disaster areas and staying in the DEMA hotel block is also eligible for funds to assist in attending DEMA Show so they can buy the products and services they need to keep their businesses in operation.”

DEMA has earmarked disaster assistance funds specifically for affected DEMA-Member exhibitors and registered buyers located in the designated disaster areas impacted by Hurricane Melissa and Typhoon Tino, including:

• Bahamas
• Dominican Republic
• Haiti
• Jamaica
• Philippines
• Turks and Caicos

EXHIBITOR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

DEMA’s Disaster Assistance Program funds are available to DEMA-Member Exhibitors who were fully paid for their contracted exhibit space by 5:00 PM Pacific time, September 22, 2025, and physically located within the aforementioned designated disaster areas impacted by Hurricane Melissa and Typhoon Tino. Qualifying exhibitors are eligible to receive disaster assistance funds based on their exhibit space size. For-profit exhibitors are eligible for $400 US per contracted 10x10 exhibit space and non-profit exhibitors paying the DEMA-Member non-profit rate are eligible for $100 per 10x10 space.

Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis up to the maximum available from the DEMA disaster assistance fund.

All interested parties must apply for the assistance funds on site at DEMA Show in Orlando, FL by visiting DEMA Central (Booth #421) prior to the close of the Show at 5:00 pm on Friday, November 14, 2025.

 

BUYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

One registered “Buyer” from each DEMA-Member organization located in the impacted area is eligible for assistance when they are staying in the official DEMA Show hotel block (Rosen Centre or Days Inn). Eligible Buyers can be reimbursed at the base rate for one night’s stay in the hotel. The individual must be registered as a “Buyer” (as defined by DEMA) for DEMA Show 2025 and be booked in the DEMA hotel block prior to midnight Pacific Time on November 13, 2025. DEMA will reimburse the Buyer for the DEMA hotel block base price of one hotel night stay (single occupancy), regardless of the actual rate paid.
Buyers applying for assistance must provide a copy of the receipt for the DEMA Block hotel stay to the DEMA Office by 5:00 PM Pacific time on December 4, 2025.

All funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis up to the maximum of the allotted DEMA disaster assistance fund. Exhibitors are not eligible for hotel reimbursement assistance under this program but can receive Exhibitor Assistance as described above.

For more complete details and disbursement information and to obtain an assistance request form, visit DEMA Central in Booth (Booth #421) at DEMA Show 2025 in Orlando, FL. 

DEMA’s Disaster Assistance Program was first created in 2004 and has been used when DEMA-Member companies are impacted by natural disasters, which may interfere with their ability to promote their businesses, products, services, and destinations at DEMA Show.

DEMA Activates Disaster Assistance Program to Aid Those Impacted by Hurricane Melissa

 ** Funds Available to Assist DEMA Member Exhibitors and Buyers of DEMA Show™ 2025 **

The Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) Executive Committee has approved the activation of DEMA’s Disaster Assistance Program to assist DEMA-Member Show Exhibitors and Buyers in designated disaster areas impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

"DEMA’s Disaster Assistance Program funds are available to DEMA Member Exhibitors at DEMA Show 2025 who are located in declared disaster areas following Hurricane Melissa, to aid them in getting to and exhibiting at DEMA Show 2025,” said Tom Ingram, President and CEO of DEMA.  “Registered DEMA-Member ‘Buyers’ from these designated disaster areas staying in the DEMA hotel block are also eligible for funds to assist in attending DEMA Show so they can buy the products and services they need to keep their businesses in operation.

”DEMA has earmarked disaster assistance funds specifically for affected DEMA-Member exhibitors and registered buyers located in the designated disaster areas impacted by Hurricane Melissa, including:

• Bahamas
• Dominican Republic
• Haiti
• Jamaica
• Turks and Caicos

EXHIBITOR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

DEMA’s Disaster Assistance Program funds are available to DEMA-Member Exhibitors who were fully paid for their contracted exhibit space by 5:00 PM Pacific time, September 22, 2025, and physically located within the aforementioned designated disaster areas impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Qualifying exhibitors are eligible to receive disaster assistance funds based on their exhibit space size. For-profit exhibitors are eligible for $400 US per contracted 10x10 exhibit space and non-profit exhibitors paying the DEMA-Member non-profit rate are eligible for $100 per 10x10 space.

Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis up to the maximum available from the DEMA disaster assistance fund.

All interested parties must apply for the assistance funds on site at DEMA Show in Orlando, FL by visiting DEMA Central (Booth #421) prior to the close of the Show at 5:00 pm on Friday, November 14, 2025.

BUYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Impacted DEMA Member attendees registered as “Buyers” for DEMA Show 2025 and who are staying in the official DEMA Show hotel block (Rosen Centre or Days Inn) can be reimbursed at the base rate for one night’s stay in the hotel.  The individual must be registered as a “Buyer” (as defined by DEMA) for DEMA Show 2025 and be booked in the DEMA hotel block prior to midnight Pacific Time on November 13, 2025. DEMA will reimburse the buyer for the DEMA hotel block base price of one hotel night stay (single occupancy) regardless of the actual rate paid.

Buyers applying for assistance must provide a copy of the receipt for the DEMA Block hotel stay to the DEMA Office by 5:00 PM Pacific time on December 4, 2025.

All funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis up to the maximum of the allotted DEMA disaster assistance fund. Exhibitors are not eligible for hotel reimbursement assistance under this program but can receive Exhibitor Assistance as described above.

For more complete details and disbursement information and to obtain an assistance request form, visit DEMA Central in Booth (Booth #421) at DEMA Show 2025 in Orlando, FL.

DEMA’s Disaster Assistance Program was first created in 2004 and has been used when DEMA-Member companies are impacted by natural disasters, which may interfere with their ability to promote their businesses, products, services, and destinations at DEMA Show.

DEMA Opens Search for Next President & CEO

 **Applications now being accepted for the position beginning early in 2026**  

The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) has announced the opening of its search for a new President and Chief Executive Officer, with the selected candidate expected to assume the role in early 2026. This leadership transition follows the upcoming retirement of Tom Ingram, DEMA’s long-time President and CEO, who will step down at the end of 2025 after more than two decades of distinguished service to the Association and the diving industry.

Under Ingram’s leadership, DEMA has evolved into a true trade association dedicated to advancing the diving industry worldwide. His tenure has been marked by significant achievements, including the continued growth and success of DEMA Show™, the expansion of meaningful industry research and marketing programs, and impactful legislative advocacy supporting dive professionals and businesses across the globe.

“Tom’s steady leadership and unwavering commitment have strengthened DEMA and positioned the organization for a vibrant future,” said Dan Orr, DEMA Board Chair. “We’re seeking a visionary leader who can continue this legacy—someone with the strategic insight, industry passion, and collaborative spirit to guide DEMA and the diving community forward.”

The DEMA Board of Directors has appointed a Search Committee to oversee the recruitment process and ensure a smooth leadership transition. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter expressing interest, resume, and additional materials by 11:59 PM Pacific time, November 24, 2025, with applications submitted to this secure Dropbox.

Ideal candidates will have expertise in the diving industry along with experience in non-profit trade associations, government relations and advocacy, business research, and convention/trade show leadership. Click here for full position details.