Staying true to its theme, “Let’s Meet & Dive Locally,” the show aimed to kickstart the country’s dive industry and welcomed over 7,000 visitors during the three-day event with over 400 exhibitors, resulting in over RM5 (US$1.2) million in sales.

The bold decision to hold the show drew the attention, endorsement and partnership of several government agencies and leaders, including Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who addressed the event and said that he saw the dive community playing an important role in the recovery of tourism in Malaysia.

Long-standing exhibitors, Tourism Malaysia, the Malaysia Scuba Diving Association (MSDA), partners and the organizers of MIDE worked together to help kickstart the recovery of the dive sector to the delight of water enthusiasts. While strict standard operating procedures were maintained, exhibitors enjoyed more time and space than usual to give one-on-one attention to every visitor in their booths, which proved highly beneficial. While there were only slightly less than the expected 8,000 visitors, exhibitors were very pleased with the quality of the visitors who attended the show.

“Given the pandemic is still ongoing, we are happy and pleased to have taken the plunge to re-boot the dive sector and inject some confidence into the community,” said Ness Puvanes, director and organizer of MIDE. “From what usually takes a year to organize, we pulled MIDE2021 together in just 45 days and that’s not without a multitude of challenges. Moving forward is the key.”

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Dignitaries

Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) Director General Ybhg Dato' Hj Zainuddin Abdul Wahab officiated the opening ceremony. Other dignitaries in attendance included Al-Wathiqu Billah Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, Sultan of Terengganu, as well as Y.M. Tengku Dato Dr Hishammudddin Zaizi bin Y.A.M Tengku Bendahara Azman Shah AlHaj, the managing director of Ikhasas Group; YB Datuk Seri Dr. Santhara, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC); Her Excellency Ms Visam Ali, High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives to Malaysia; Dato’ Sri Dr. Hj. Irmohizam bin Hj. Ibrahim, Group Executive Director, World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur; and YB Tuan Muhammad Bakhtiar Bin Wan Chik, former Deputy Minister, MOTAC.

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Activities

During the expo, various speakers presented talks about dive education, marine conservation, cave diving, diving for people with disabilities, photography and more. As usual, a big hit with visitors were the bargains and promotions offered in dive wear, equipment, technology, photography/videography equipment, dive holidays, tours, courses, and other dive-related products. There was keen interest from dive operators and holiday resorts in the show’s boating section, with numerous sales leads generated, and the water sports exhibits, pointing to this area’s growth potential.

In addition, 28 Lucky Draw prizes were handed out to visitors, with a combined value of RM30,000 (US$7,190), including dive holidays, dive gears, dive courses, and camera equipment, with a grand prize of a seven-day, Sudan and Maldives liveaboard trip valued at RM6700 (US$1,600) provided by Maldives & Red Sea Blue Force Fleet.

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Lens Beyond Ocean (LBO) Competition

Winning images for Lens Beyond Ocean Photo competition 2020 was displayed at the expo to express the Winners who participated in the 2020 photo completion with the following winners:

Macro 1st Place: Louise Nott from Australia

(Diving & Accommodation for 5 nights, 10 Dives Package for 1 Diver - Sponsored by D’ lagoon Dive Resort)

Wide Angle 1st Place: Xavier Mas from Spain

(5 Days 4 Night Waterfront Villa Dive Package - Sponsored by Waiwo)

Compact Camera 1st Place: Teo Wei Sheng from Malaysia

(5 Days 4 Nights Dive Packages for 1 Diver - Sponsored by Amun Ini Beach Resort & Spa)

Creative 1st Place: Shinto K. Anto from India

(4 Days 3 Nights Dive Package for 1 Diver at Cocotinos Manado or Lembeh- Sponsored by Cocotinos Hotels & Resort)

Portfolio 1st Place: Scott Portelli from Australia

(5-7 Nights in Komodo/Raja Ampat diving trip -Sponsored by Mola Mola Liveaboard)

Freediving 1st Place: Khaichuin Sim from Malaysia

(5 Nights, 3 Days of Diving (9 Dives) + 2-way Airport Transfer Cebu International Airport-Sponsored by Kasai Village)

3 Min Video 1st Place: Alex Del Olmo from Spain

(6 Days 5 Nights Dive Accommodation Package - Sponsored by Aquatica Dive Resort)

Supporters & Sponsors

MIDE thanks its supporters, including Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), MOTAC, MTPB, MSDA, University Terengganu Malaysia (UMT); esteemed exhibitors, including dive agencies BSAC, DAN, DDI, Diveheart, IANTD, ITDA, NAUI, NDL, PADI, RAID, SSI, TDI/SDI; media partners Astro, Bernama, Borneo Post, Makkal Osai, Nanyang Siang Pau, RTM, Star Publication, XTVT Malaysia, and X-Ray Mag; sponsors 1511 Coconut Grove, Amun Ini Beach Resort & Spa, Aquatica Dive Resort, Blue Force Fleet, Cocotinus Manado, D’Lagoon Dive Resort, Dynamex Health & Gym (M) Sdn Bhd, Jom Adventure Dive Center Sdn Bhd, Luma Selakan, Kasai Village Dive Resort, Mola Mola Liveaboard, PADI, Quiver Dive Team, Scuba Junkie, Poni Divers, Scuba Genesis, Seafarer Papaya Resort, Tenggol Coral Beach, and Waiwo Dive Raja Ampat; suppliers and partners World Trade Centre, PICO International, Agility Logistic Sdn Bhd, Mekar Subur AV Sdn Bhd and Smart Reg System Sdn Bhd.