RFP - Dive Industry Professional Speakers

• Proposed session abstracts must be submitted using the online application in order to be considered. 
• As a non-profit organization DEMA is limited in stipends provided. Please note: DEMA does not cover incidental charges.
• Speakers are encouraged to submit multiple abstracts covering different topics. Speakers presenting more than one session are viewed favorably as a cost-effective option.
• Individual sessions are not repeated.
• Prior to submitting your abstracts, please review the DEMA Show Presenter Policies. By submitting your abstract, you are confirming that you comply with the outlined policies, which are part of the legally binding Speaker Contract.

Recommended Topics

Below is a list of suggested topics, however, peer-to-peer presenters are welcome to present other topics that may be of interest to dive retailers or sub-topics within those listed below. DEMA’s professional audience includes new and younger business owners and managers who are native users of social media and online business operations. When completing your submission, please specify how your proposed topic applies to dive retailing.

Please note that many members of the DEMA Show audience may have considerable experience in these topics and proposing an "advanced" version of a given topic (e.g., Sales 201) is encouraged. Also be advised that about 30% of DEMA attendees are FIRST-TIME Show attendees.

Dive Store Sales Training 101/Sales Training 201/ Dive Store Sales Management

• Opening the Sale
• Product Training on Equipment Brands Stores Sell
• Sales Prospecting – Finding New Customers
• Closing Strategies, including helping the customer buy what is in inventory
• Handling Objections
• “Puppy Dog Sales Closing” (allowing prospects to test the product or service for several days before they decide to buy) – does this work for dive retail?
• Moving the customer along the continuum of the diving retail experience – from training to equipment to active diving locally, and active dive travel.

Dive Store Operations 101/Operations 201

• Inventory Management
• Purchasing Merchandise for Sale
• Merchandise Forecasting/Open to Buy
• Dive Store Display/Window Display
• Retail Floor Planning/Planograms/Maximizing Sales from my Dive Retail Space
• Prioritizing Resources – Keeping Doors Open During Tough Economic Times
• Providing Financing for Customer Purchases
• Creating the Optimal Work Environment
• Human Resource Management in the Dive Center
• Small Business and Dealing with Local Government Regulations

Marketing 101/Marketing 201

• Attracting a Younger Audience to the Dive Store
• Community Networking to Help Increase Prospects and Dive Store Activity
• Database Marketing
• Direct Marketing to Dive Retail Customers
• Generating Foot Traffic for the Dive Center
• Guerrilla Marketing Ideas/Unconventional ways to find customers
• Networking During Dive Activities – Building Customer Relationships
• Retail Market Research and Prospecting
• Search Engine Marketing for the Dive Center
• Social Media Marketing, General – Dive Stores Don’t Use Phone Books or Local Newspaper Ads
• Social Media Marketing, Facebook, and Instagram
• Transitioning Out of the Retail Dive Business – Selling the Dive Center
• Using Marketing Analytics
• Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Marketing and Advertising