RFP - Professional Speakers

• Proposed session abstracts must be submitted using the online application to be considered. 
• As a non-profit organization, DEMA is limited in the honorariums and travel expenses that may be considered. 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.

Before 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.

Prior to submitting an abstract for consideration as a speaker for DEMA Show 2025, it is imperative to understand DEMA's professional audience and current programs.

The Diving Equipment & Marketing Association is a non-profit trade association for the recreational scuba diving industry. Monies earned through the industry's participation in the annual DEMA Show, along with sponsorships, and DEMA Memberships, fund all the activities and expenses of the association. Unlike for-profit organizations which typically raise money at trade or consumer shows or events and funnel it AWAY from the diving industry, DEMA channels proceeds earned TOWARD the diving industry, including market and industry research, legislative advocacy, disaster assistance, marketing and PR programs, and other industry initiatives, all for the benefit of DEMA members and the recreational diving industry.

Bringing businesses together to grow the Diving Industry worldwide.

DEMA has Members in five different industry-specific stakeholder categories as well as “associate” members (businesses whose income is not primarily derived from doing business in the diving industry), including:

• Manufacturers, Distributors and Sales Representatives of Dive Equipment Manufacturers or Distributors
• Diver Certification and Training Agencies, and Field/Sales Representatives of Training Organizations
• Dive Publishing, Media, Dive Industry Consulting, Associations & Non-Retail Service Providers
• Retail Distribution of Diving Goods & Services
• Dive Travel, Liveaboard Dive Boats, or Resorts

DEMA has conducted extensive marketing research to understand the optimal active diving consumer with the goal of helping members acquire similar new customers. Key findings include:

• Active divers are typically affluent, willing, and able to travel to dive, and have the financial ability to make equipment and travel purchases
• The average new participant is about 30 years old, and 80% of these households have three or more persons living under one roof.

DEMA also understands the need to bring in both adults and teens living in the household to help grow the industry for the future. Scuba diving can be conducted in most geographic locations (including diving in lakes, rivers and oceans), and both traveling to dive and diving locally are critical to the growth of the sport.

DEMA provides resources to help members understand advertising and marketing and provides graphics and messaging to assist with advertising to the potential diving audience, primarily using social media. To target the correct audience in the U.S. DEMA has conducted demographic/psychographic research and makes this information available for the use of its members. DEMA also makes free advertising materials available to Members. The consumer marketing resources are provided using the brand Go Dive Now and include ad templates, the Go Dive Now Marketing Digest, and videos designed by a professional marketing firm and provided at no cost for Member use.

NOTE: Speakers who can integrate DEMA's current Go Dive Now programs, target consumer data, and other initiatives in their topic and learning objectives are given preferred consideration.

For complete information about DEMA’s 2025 consumer research and marketing programs and initiatives please visit www.dema.org. You may request a copy of the latest dive consumer research to assist in developing your presentation.