Returning to the Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE) after an absence of several years was something of a revelation. X-Ray Magazine has proudly supported the show as a media partner since its inaugural edition in 2006, but having local representatives in Southeast Asia meant I had not attended personally for quite some time. That made this year's 20th anniversary edition all the more eye-opening.
A bird's eye view over half of the show floor
According to independently audited figures submitted to the Malaysian government, no fewer than 19,887 visitors attended MIDE 2026. The exhibition featured 355 booths, completely sold out the main exhibition hall at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur and, by every measure, was a resounding success.
Those numbers alone are impressive.
Having attended dive exhibitions around the world for more than three decades—including DEMA, Boot Düsseldorf, GO Diving, ADEX, Beneath the Sea, Long Beach Scuba Show and countless others over time—I cannot recall another public consumer dive show that felt quite this large or this busy. While I have certainly not visited every dive exhibition on the planet, only a great deal over the past four decades, MIDE now appears to have grown into what may well be the world's largest consumer dive exhibition. I would argue the case.
More importantly, it felt alive.
From the moment the doors opened on Friday morning until the show finally closed at 7 p.m. on Sunday evening, the aisles remained packed. Unlike many exhibitions that peak on Saturday before tapering off, MIDE maintained an extraordinary level of activity throughout the entire weekend. The atmosphere was electric, optimistic and, at times, almost overwhelming.
What struck me even more than the attendance figures was the composition of the audience.
Many European—and particularly American—dive shows increasingly struggle with an ageing visitor base. MIDE presented a striking contrast. The audience was noticeably younger and far more diverse, with large numbers of young adults and families. It created a vibrant atmosphere that was both refreshing and encouraging for anyone concerned about the future of recreational diving.
Excellent balance
The exhibition itself offered an excellent balance between commercial exhibitors and the wider diving community. Equipment manufacturers, dive resorts, tourism organisations and liveaboard operators shared the halls with a diverse ecosystem of NGOs, conservation organisations and other non-profit groups, giving the event a broader appeal than simply being a marketplace.
The operator presence reflected the show's geographical focus. Most exhibitors came from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Maldives, with relatively few operators from outside the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, several Malaysian states—including Terengganu, Johor and Sarawak—had large, professionally designed stands promoting their regions as dive destinations. Philippine Tourism also maintained an impressive pavilion hosting more than a dozen Philippine dive operators.
The level of official support demonstrated just how seriously Malaysia regards dive tourism. Several state governments sent VIP delegations to the exhibition, complete with formal ceremonies, while the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture represented the federal government.
Equipment manufacturers ranged from familiar international names—including Halcyon, Fourth Element, Shearwater Research, Mares and Scubapro—to a variety of regional brands that were entirely new to me. I did not identify any major product launches, but it was fascinating to discover manufacturers that have little or no presence in Western markets.
The conference programme was equally ambitious, featuring an impressive line-up of predominantly local speakers covering conservation, exploration, underwater photography and dive tourism. If there was one aspect that could perhaps be improved, it was the placement of the main presentation stage. With every available square metre occupied, the stage sat very close to several booths, making conversations difficult at times. Fortunately, I understand that next year's event will expand into an adjacent exhibition hall, providing more space and, hopefully, allowing the speaker programme to be integrated more comfortably into the overall layout.
Busiest diveshow
By the time the exhibition finally closed on Sunday evening, I felt both exhilarated and utterly exhausted. It had been one of the busiest, most energetic and most productive dive shows I have attended in years.
Above all, I was delighted to see how far MIDE has come. We first met Ness (Ness Puvanes) and her brother Kenny (Thayalan Kennedy) when they launched their ambitious new venture twenty years ago. Watching that vision grow from a promising regional event into what is now arguably the world's leading consumer dive exhibition has been deeply satisfying. Their success has not come overnight but through two decades of persistence, professionalism and hard work. I am truly happy for them.
As the global dive industry seeks to attract younger generations and revitalise consumer events, MIDE offers an encouraging example of what is possible. It is not simply a successful exhibition, but one that has grown by continually adapting, embracing new audiences and maintaining an infectious enthusiasm for diving. There are lessons here for organisers around the world.
