by Gene Muchanski, Executive Director
Dive Industry Association, Inc.
Dive Industry Association and Travel Members will be exhibiting at the Travel & Adventure Show in Dallas, Texas on November 2-3, 2013 at Booth 523. Representatives from Cane Bay Dive Shop St. Croix and eNVy Yacht Charters will be on hand to talk to attendees about Adventure Dive Travel.
Learn more about this exciting series of adventure travel shows, produced by Unicomm at http://www.adventureexpo.com
by Gene Muchanski, Executive Director
Dive Industry Association, Inc.
The Dive Industry Association is conducting a Feasibility Study to determine if the diving community in the State of Florida would support an annual 3 or 4 day Diving & Watersports Conference to include a 1-Day Conference, 1-Day Trade Only Day, and a 2-day Consumer Dive Show. The weekend event would include Conferences, Workshops, Seminars, Film Festival, Photo & Video Competition, an Exhibit Hall for the general public, an Awards Banquet, and an Industry Party.
A number of companies from the diving industry have already expressed an interest in sponsoring and participating in the annual state wide event. Two non-profit organizations have agreed to produce the show for the benefit of the Florida Diving Community. The purpose of the Florida Diving & Watersports Conference is roughly to; 1) Celebrate the Florida Diving Community. 2) Showcase Our Recreation. 3) Recharge Our Professional & Recreational Batteries. and 4) Grow Our Recreation in Florida and Beyond.
A survey to gauge support for the conference is being sent to individuals in the major stakeholder groups across the state. The conference is intending to be all inclusive, non-political and not favoring any one sector of the recreation. Leaders from the Manufacturing, Retailing, Training and Travel Industries are being asked for their opinions as are those from the Dive Operators, Dive Clubs, Media and the Manufacturing and Training Rep Groups.
Individuals interested in volunteering to help get the conference off the ground should contact Gene Muchanski at gene@diveindustry.net
by Gene Muchanski, Executive Director
The Dive Industry Foundation will exhibit at DEMA Show 2013 in Orlando, Florida on November 6-9, 2013. Visit us at Booth 477. This year the Foundation will be introducing 2 Business Programs that can help you increase sales. Hypergrow Your Business is a FUN Book & Workbook combination that will get you quickly to the important money-making tactics of business. The NxLevel For Entrepreneurs Course is the most in-depth Business Planning Program in the Industry today. This course is a MUST for non-Marketing Executives. You owe it to yourself to spend some time with Gene Muchanski to see the positive impact this course can have on your company.
The Foundation is also introducing 4 Industry Profile Programs. The former Retail Dive Center and Sales Rep Surveys have been converted into Professional Industry Profiles. How do you stack up compared to your competitors? The Foundation is adding a Manufacturing Profile and a Travel Industry Profile. All individual data is strictly protected. Participants receive a detailed report on “industry trends and analysis” and a suggested “Best Practices” summary.
Come and see what this Non-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)3 Charitable Foundation is doing to promote diving to the general public and working to protect our marine environment. Tax deductible donations are always welcome at the Dive Industry Foundation. See you at Booth 477.
WIN – WIN – WIN: Stop by Booth # 477 at the DEMA Show and Register to WIN a complete $600 NxLevel For Entrepreneurs Course (with Course Materials and Coaching) or a $130 HyperGrow Your Business Program (including Course Materials and Coaching). Winners will be announced on Saturday at 2:00 pm.
by Stephen Ellis, President
Visible Divers, Inc.
Running a Dive Center is not an easy thing to do. In the recent economic downturn, we saw several stores close, and those that survived were left limping. The good stores know that business management tasks consume a lot of time – on average 35% of staff time. This eats into sales time and social time, but even more importantly, it takes time away from making a better profit. Lately they’re expected to be skilled at social network campaigns and marketing, and that takes time to learn and do. On top of it all, stores are getting squeezed from internet sales that in most cases, is a real concern. Add in the extremely low retention rate of divers, and you quickly realize that a store has to be very business savvy to make ends meet. It’s time to flip the odds.
Meet Visible Divers – a cloud-based solution that doesn’t just handle your business, it gives you business. With official endorsements from a long list of top manufacturers, we’re a software company that has built a completely custom solution to dive center management, from the ground up. It’s a patent-pending system built to support every agency, brand, store, and diver. Everyone gets a free account, and you only pay if you want business services. Because everyone gets a free account, you’re able to link accounts in a private social network from diver to store to manufacturer, and everything in between, turning our fragmented industry into a well-connected and informed industry. With cutting-edge technology, we’ve taken the internet bull down by the horns and made it finally work to your best advantage.
So what does Visible Divers do? Almost everything, and the way we go about it is what is truly dropping jaws. We took notes from others’ failed and limited attempts and made a system that is extremely easy, fast, and intuitive to use that has more horsepower than you thought possible. It’s so smart you’ll feel like you’ve hired another person. You’ll get our unmatched scheduler system, Point of Sale, inventory management, social networking, intuitive marketing and sales generation, billing, invoicing, finances, purchase orders, equipment management, multiple store support, and more. We even have an iPad app so that if you lose internet, power, or even your computer, you keep going without missing a beat. An Android app is on its way.
If you’re a manufacturer, you’ll see reports on your products and the overall market in real-time that are so specific, you could pattern your marketing or sales strategies from them. Our patent-pending method of showing your products to divers and stores is the new “non-marketing” marketing trick that’s worth the price of admission by itself. A fundamental value to your business is that Visible Divers is not a generic solution; it’s made specifically for the unique challenges of the SCUBA industry.
With so much to offer, you might think it’s a complex system to learn. It’s actually the opposite. Our free video tutorial series can teach you to do any task in a minute or less. It’s that easy. And if you’re worried about price, the good news doesn’t stop here. It’s priced to be a “no brainer,” as many are calling it. Even part-time stores can afford it.
You may have heard about us at DEMA last year. Our fresh and intuitive approach to handling store management amazed everyone that saw it. Everyone wanted a Point of Sale that matched our ease of use and intuitive design…so we made it. If you’re going to DEMA this year, you won’t be able to avoid hearing about us. Our product is so compelling, it’s used and endorsed by the top manufacturer brands in the industry. These brands are all displaying the Visible Divers logo in their booths at DEMA. We’ve never heard of another company so widely recommended. Obviously, we’ve got something very unique here. We’ve even earned the praise of Dive Industry Association, Inc., who has chosen Visible Divers as the recommended software for their “Model Dive Center” Prototype.
This year we return to DEMA with several public and private seminars. You’ll find us in booth 229, next to Aqua Lung. You’ll see our logo everywhere, and the top brands have ensured their sales reps are well trained with it. If you want to schedule personal time with Visible Divers during DEMA, now is the time to do so. We’re certainly happy to talk with you as long as you need at our booth as well.
Visible Divers officially released Version 1 of the Point of Sale system to the public today. We were in private beta testing with select stores and manufacturers for several months, building out a strong and complete service solution. Every store that has been shown the system since we began beta testing has converted to it. That’s 100%, in case we weren’t clear enough.
We have some big claims, and every one of them is easily proven. Inventory your store in minutes, not weeks. Add a customer in five seconds, not five minutes. Work online or offline without missing a beat. Know your store’s health in seconds. Increase sales. Multiply profit margins. Sell from anywhere in your store…or the world. No other system can claim these things. When you see our system, you’ll instantly understand why. If we don’t have something you need, tell us. We’ll build it.
If you want to see or try the system, create your free personal account first. Then contact Visible Divers to schedule a live demonstration. All sales reps from TUSA are already trained on it, and other companies like SCUBAPRO and Huish Outdoors will be trained before DEMA. And of course, you can upgrade your free account at any time with a 30-day trial.
Our catchphrase is actually a very fitting statement of what we’re about: “Hello SCUBA. Meet the Internet.” Check out our system at https://www.visibledivers.com. There is no software to download. I know you will be impressed with what you see, and you’ll continue to be astounded with what we’ve got up our sleeves for the future. Our vision and technology make everyone Visible Divers.
Contact:
Visible Divers, Inc.
phone: 1-888-TEC-DIVE (888-832-3483)
email: jira@visibledivers.com
Long Term AUP Employee appointed to Vice President of International Sales
San Leandro, CA, August 12, 2013 – American Underwater Products (AUP), the parent company for Oceanic, AERIS, Lavacore, Oceanpro, and Hollis, today announced it has appointed Jonathan Stahlman to the position of Vice President of International Sales.
Stahlman began his career at AUP in 2003 as the Rocky Mountain Territory Manager for AERIS. Over the last decade, Jonathan has worked closely with all internal departments within the company, giving him a broad base of knowledge on AUP’s business both in the USA and abroad. Prior to joining AUP, Stahlman worked as a retail sales associate and Dive Master at Weaver’s Dive and Travel located in Boulder, CO.
AUP President and Chief Operating Officer, Dan Emke stated “Jonathan has become an integral part of the AUP management team. I look forward to his future successes in further developing AUP’s international interests.”
Jonathan Stahlman remarked on his promotion stating, “I appreciate all of the opportunities that Mr. Emke and the Hollis family has provided to me over the years. AUP has truly allowed me to attain my American dream. I look forward to my increased role in developing & managing AUP’s foreign business.”
Jonathan is an avid SCUBA diver and outdoorsman. When he is not underwater, Jonathan enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, and fly fishing in his native Colorado.
Jonathan Stahlman can be reached directly at jstahlman@aupgear.com for more information about AUP visit: www.americanunderwaterproducts.com
by Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino – Bonaire
Discover the Divers Paradise with Divi Dive Bonaire
Wanted: Dive Industry Professionals for FAM!
Tired of having to “work” when you escort a dive group in Bonaire? then our offer is exactly what you need; a trip for YOU & all your instructors, manufacturers and dive suppliers…just a fun trip with nobody to escort!
We’re giving you a SPECIAL PROFESSIONAL COURTESY RATE dive package you choose at Divi Flamingo Beach Resort. Choose between a 1-week shore-only package or a 2-tank morning boat dive package that includes accommodations, daily breakfast and unlimited use of tanks for shore diving and 2 tank morning boat dives. You can even customize your own package! Travel is available from September 1-30, 2013.
Here’s an added bonus to dive with us too! Anyone booking a new group to Divi Flamingo in 2013-2014 after attending our FAM will receive a Special Credit toward their next group trip, complements of Bonnie Hanley, Divi Flamingo Corporate Sales Manager.
Book now & travel through September 30, 2013! For reservations, please call (800) 801-5550. For group reservations, please contact Bonnie Hanley at (954) 545-0269 or via email: bonnie.hanley@diviresorts.com
Note: Divi Flamingo is the only resort on Bonaire with hassle-free 3 tank boat dive packages. Technical diving & all levels of dive instruction are offered. Unlimited tanks for shore diving with any boat dive package are provided. Easy access for diving and snorkeling from our resort’s beach. We have a large fleet of five custom dive boats and house reef drops to 130 feet off the resort shore.
by Gene Muchanski
Executive Director, Dive Industry Association, Inc.
DEMA Member # A3-2922
On December 15, 2013, DEMA will hold an election for five seats on their Board of Directors. As of August 21, that’s 116 days away. According to their by-laws, DEMA will submit a slate of candidates to their membership not less than ninety (90) days prior to the date of the election. Organizations like DEMA are always looking for qualified candidates who will consider running for their Board of Directors. As Industry Professionals, we have a duty and a responsibility to volunteer our time, money and manpower to help make our industry a better place to work and earn a living. We join trade associations to help grow our business and strengthen our industry. The size of our industry is small and getting smaller. Do you have what it takes to help make it bigger and better? If you are a current DEMA Member will you consider running for the DEMA Board of Directors?
Dive Industry Association has been a DEMA Member since our inception back in 2001 and we have exhibited at the annual trade show almost every year since then. Many of our Members are also Members of DEMA. As a DEMA Member we would like to nominate five people to be considered for this year’s slate. Please contact Gene Muchanski at gene@diveindustry.net if you are interested in having your name submitted to the DEMA Nominating Committee. We are looking for one person in each of the five stakeholder categories to run for the Board. If more than one person in a category is interested we’ll conduct a “primary of our own” to choose the best possible candidate.
Do your part to help make this industry better. Volunteer to run for the DEMA Board of Directors.
by Gene Muchanski,
Executive Director, Dive Industry Association, Inc.
Some people are early adapters while others are hopeless laggards when it comes to new technology. What I can’t figure out is how I can be both at the same time! Although I don’t consider myself to be a tech savey individual, I do have a passion for new technology if it improves my daily business life and makes me more professional, productive and profitable. Just like I’ve always embraced the latest and greatest in diving equipment because it made my dives easier and more enjoyable. So when I met Pete (NetDoc) Murray five years ago at the Surf Expo I knew I wanted to connect with ScubaBoard. His concept seemed right on target and years ahead of its time. Imagine, an open forum where divers from around the world can discuss every imaginable aspect of scuba diving. It was the industry soap box for all of us to express our opinions, learn from others and maybe, just maybe establish a spirit of cooperation to move our recreation forward. Well, I got an account on ScubaBoard but never really mastered the social media concept of it, while I looked for other ways to connect to the industry.
Fast forward five years and you’ll see that I’ve come full circle and am back to the conclusion that NetDoc was right and that he had the solution to our problems all along. I guess now that the student is ready, the teacher has appeared! So what led DIA to revisit ScubaBoard?
Dive Industry Association needed to first connect with the trade sector of the dive industry to show them better ways to start, grow and succeed in their business by using better tools and techniques. Rather than purchase ad space on someone else’s marketing vehicle we decided to create our own. We developed Directories, Newsletters, and a Weekly Press Release service. We had websites built and learned how to make changes and add content. We formed strategic business partnerships with some amazing companies and took our marketing tools on the road to dive, surf and adventure travel shows. We become an industry sponsor of the two Surf Expos and the six Travel & Adventure Shows. We developed relationships with Show & Event Organizers of Regional and Local Dive Shows and exhibited at their shows. In Chicago we sponsored a number of seminars and in Tacoma we co-sponsored two successful Industry Luncheons. During our twelve years of service while acquiring 327 Members, we learned that our mission in the watersports community was to communicate our Members’ message to the general public and grow the Industry. We do that by putting our Members on a pedestal and showcasing their products and services to the world.
A few weeks ago we created a Daily Blog (you’re reading it now) that links to our Monthly Newlstter and our Weekly Press Releases, which are auto-linked to our Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts. Our industry communication is now integrated. Our articles and communication is about diving, and the diving products and services the industry sells for a living. It’s about telling the world what we do as an industry and inviting them to enjoy the recreation with us. Promoting our members and growing the industry is our number one priority. That is the realization that led us back to ScubaBoard.com
After all, that’s what ScubaBoard is all about – Diving. And isn’t ScubaBoard the ultimate Social Media Platform? Of course it is. ScubaBoard is the kind of Social Media that attracts divers and those who want to become divers. It’s a great central meeting place for our industry. Dive Industry Association is excited to be a part of ScubaBoard’s forums. We are expecting great things.
Here is Pete (NetDoc) Murray’s original letter about his thoughts on Dive Industry Association.
by Pete (NetDoc) Murray,
ScubaBoard
(originally published on ScubaBoard September 18, 2008).
Let’s be real: The diving industry as we know it is in trouble. A half a dozen shops have closed in my area alone in the past few years, and I know of only ONE which has opened… or at least is about to open.
If the rest of the country is having the same issues that Orlando is having, then we have lost a significant portion of our retailers and with the downturn of the DOW in the last couple of days, life looks bleak. Getting tanks filled is getting increasingly hard and the variety of gear available to us locally has also declined. This is something that has bothered me for some time, and yet it seems that many of the industry “leaders” either don’t get it, or just don’t care!
So, as I was walking through the Surf Expo here in Orlando this past week I was surprised to see the Dive Industry Association there with a few retailers in tow with him. As far as I can tell, they were the ONLY Scuba related exhibitor in the entire show. Sure, I saw a few CEOs and Industry Reps walking around, but the only exhibiting was done by those who crossed into the resort or surfing industry. There were a few clothing and wet suit companies, but they didn’t have their scuba stuff out for us to look at.
So I had to ask Gene Muchanski, the president and evil genius behind the Dive Industry Association, why he was bucking the tide here at the Surf Expo. We talked for an hour or more and I have to say it was very enlightening. It seems that his presence at the Surf Expo was not an accident. He goes to many of these non-scuba shows just to promote diving! WHOA, what a concept! While others pander to those already addicted to Scuba, Gene is going out to promote Scuba in other sports, and WHY THE HELL NOT?
Well sure, Gene gave me a whole long list of reasons why I should join Dive Industry Association. They are all great and valid reasons and the $100/year dues is way small compared to these benefits. But I joined because I finally saw someone doing something to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in our industry. He is cross promoting Scuba better than any other association out there: He still has the passion!
So please: If you are a part of Scuba Diving, from being a mere diver to even DEMA, you owe it to yourself and to the entire industry to support Gene as he works hard to attract others to OUR sport. He is a beacon in the dark and can do so much more if we only give him a chance. Click on this link to become a Dive Industry Association Member today: dive Industry Association Application
BTW, I have offered Gene a spot here on ScubaBoard. We would love for him to be part of our tribe and tell us everything he is doing for our sport! You can encourage him to do this by e-mailing him: Gene@DiveIndustry.net
“Best Kept Secret in the U.S.”
by Gene Muchanski
Executive Director, Dive Industry Association, Inc.
DIA Dives with Dive Boat Narcosis: On December 10th, 2011 we had an opportunity to dive Palm Beach, Florida with legendary Dive Boat Skipper, Captain Van Blakeman. Our new friend from Palm Beach County, Dan Volker, set us up with a boat dive on the Dive Boat Narcosis and got us tanks and weights from Pura Vida Divers, in Palm Beach, Florida. With an early morning dive already behind us, Dan Volker, Dave Bertrand, Al Kidder and I boarded the Narcosis and headed out for a two tank dive. Despite the 6-8 foot swells on this otherwise beautiful almost winter day, Capt. Van put us on a nice wreck in 85 feet of water like it was child’s play. As soon as I hit the water and quickly began my descent, I realized that Palm Beach County was one of the best kept secrets of the diving world. First of all, it was winter diving and I was wearing my Oceanic 3/2mm full suit and a 3mm vest from Undersea Designs and by the end of the dive I was still warm as toast. Second, the visibility was great and there was little or no current on the wreck at 85 feet. For a dive that was just a few hundred yards off the beach, I was very happy to see Turtles and Goliath Groupers on the wreck.
Boats in Palm Beach don’t anchor off or tie up to the wreck. They drop you off in buddy pairs or small groups on different parts of the wreck or reef. Each group has its own dive flag and each diver has his own Safety Sausage. The boat crew tracks each flag and picks up the divers as they surface. It was during our pick-up part of the dive when I saw first hand what an experienced boat captain we had. Capt. Van came in for the pick-up, swung the boat around, and put the swim step right in front of us for an easy boarding. WOW! I have to tell you, I haven’t seen anyone make a diver pick-up look so easy as Captain Van did that day. So yes, we will return to Palm Beach as soon as possible. Not only for the excellent boat diving with Captain Van but for the Whales, Whale Sharks, Eagle Rays, Manta Rays, Goliath Groupers, and the countless other photo opts that are waiting for us just a few hundred yards off shore.
Captain Van Blakeman: Owner and Captain of the Dive Boat Narcosis. Captain Van has a love for the ocean, diving, and people that make Narcosis Dive Charters the perfect place for him. Starting back in Marathon, Florida in the late 1960’s, his work over the years with tugboats, while enjoying plenty of sailing and fishing, combined with diving experience ensures the confidence of his charter customers. His continued awe of the world, respect for the environment and desire to have fun keeps his customers coming back.
For more information on Narcosis Dive Charters, contact Captain Van Blakeman, Dive Boat Narcosis, Riviera Beach Marina, Slip #52, Riviera Beach, FL 33404. Phone: 866-627-2674. eMail: divenarcosis@hotmail.com Web: www.NarcosisDiveCharters.com
by Debbie Boyce,
Discovery Diving Company, Inc.
North Carolina once again ranked # 1 in North America for Top Dive Destination, Top Marine Life, Top Big Animal Encounters and Top Wreck Diving. North Carolina diving also ranked 3rd in North America for Top Value and Top Advanced Diving as reported in the Readers Choice Surveys conducted and published by Scuba Diving Magazine.
One of the largest Retail Dive Centers on the eastern seaboard, located on the waters of Historic Beaufort, North Carolina, is Discovery Diving Company, Inc. President Debby Boyce invites you to experience the mystery and beauty of many sunken vessels located off the coast.
Know as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, there are numerous WW II ships that fell victim to enemy vessels as well as the German Sub, U-352, sunk by U.S. Forces. In total, there are over 28 wrecks that you can dive, including a WW I cruiser, Ocean liners, fish trawlers and many more wrecks for you to rediscover. There are also several artificial reefs, to include large ships and aircraft creating new fish habitats and fresh diving experiences.
During the Summer, due to the proximity of the Gulf Stream, Beaufort has warm, clear waters with temperatures in the low 80’s and visibility often over 100 feet. They have large schools of pelagic fish, tropical fish, corals and a wreck (The Papoose) that is one of the premier shark dives in North America!
Discovery Diving Company, Inc. is a full service dive shop offering sales, instruction, rental, repairs and wonderful days on the water with their own 3 exclusive charter boats and their competent and caring crews. They are within walking distance of restaurants, quaint shops and the North Carolina Maritime Museum in the Historical District of Beaufort. The shop is also within paddling distance of the Rachel Carson Estuaries Sanctuary and the most southern outer bank of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, great for after-diving outings.
Take advantage of the shop’s weekday special available for groups of six or more for only $455.00 (plus tax) per diver. The cost includes 4 days of diving and 5 nights of lodging in one of our Divers Lodges.
Any and all available information concerning just about everything going on at Discovery Diving Company can be found on our web site at http://www.discoverydiving.com Be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletters, broadcast every Wednesday. It’s a great way to keep up-to-date on dive charter openings and conditions. Just send your email address to dive@discoverydiving.com
Dive Industry Association, Inc. 