Post event reports

The good folks from Waterproof cheer a productive dive show.

Scandinavian Dive Show 2024 Report

It was a relief to see the crowds entering the Scandinavian Dive Show on the morning of Saturday, 10 February. Tommy Jarnbrink, the founder and principal organiser, alongside the X-Ray Mag team, worked tirelessly to organise and promote the expo to both local and international networks, aiming to attract new attendees. Following the 2023 edition, it became apparent that a new format was essential for the show's future.

Contact organiser Tommy Jarnbrink for further information about next year's Scandinavian Dive Show.

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Try dives were offered in the pool which was set up at the junction between the boat show halls a

Malaysia International Dive Expo 2023: A Roaring Success

MIDE
Big crowds of visitors came to MIDE 2023. Photo courtesy of MIDE

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 June 2023: Aptly themed “Let’s stay connected with the ocean,” the 17th Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE) concluded with great success at its new venue at MITEC in Kuala Lumpur. 

After moving from the former venue at the World Trade Center (WTC), where the expo was held for 16 years, the refreshing start at the uber modern and spacious Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) proved to be a hit among exhibitors and visitors alike.

MIDE welcomed big crowds each day to its new venue at MITEC in Kuala Lumpur on 26-28 May
MIDE welcomed big crowds each day to its new venue at MITEC in Kuala Lumpur on 26-28 May

MIDE 2023: Bigger and Better

Entering the exhibition hall on Day One at MIDE 2023 gave me a distinct buzz. Squaring my shoulders in anticipation, I walked past the booths and waved hello to old friends. As I made my way deeper into the hall, I felt a raising sense of excitement. MIDE 2023 was my first overseas dive show since the pandemic, and it appeared to be off to a promising start.

Boot is back in business big time

After a corona-imposed two-year hiatus, the megashow was back on, and what a resurgence it was. After I landed on a morning flight, I jumped on the bus that went from the airport to the expo complex. The route went almost all around the complex in a clockwise fashion before we got to Eingang Nord, or the North entrance, which was my stop.

“Despite the difficult general conditions, boot 2023 has written a success story. We would not have dreamt of this outcome. boot has finally reached calm waters and is once again firmly anchored in its Düsseldorf home port. The successful comeback has demonstrated that trade fairs ‘made in Düsseldorf’ have an international appeal,” stated Wolfram Diener, President and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf.

 

As to why the footfall was so good, I cannot say for sure, but my guess is that it was partly due to a pent-up appetite after the pandemic

Baltictech 2022 impressions

This was my first visit to a Baltictech conference. At long last, I finally got the chance as it wasn't held almost at the same time as DEMA—which is always a priority because of the significant amount of our business we conduct there.

Baltictech, like other such conferences, has been held every other year in recent years, but not since 2019 due to the epidemic so this time around, there was a three-year break.

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DAN Thanks Dive Pros and Businesses for a Great 2022

Its Enhanced Membership, launched earlier this year, has already been adopted by more than half of its members.

Its liability insurance program has been embraced by every training agency in the industry.

And now, DAN has the highest number of Business Members and Professional Members in the history of the organization.

“We are so grateful for the support we receive from the wonderful people of this industry,” said DAN president and CEO Bill Ziefle.

DEMA Show 2022
DEMA Show 2022

Skinny but upbeat DEMA Show

After two years of disruption because of the pandemic, DEMA Show was back in gear. Well, largely. It was still markedly more compact than the pre-pandemic editions but still a large show with far more booths than one could reasonably manage to visit during its four days. Also importantly, the mood appeared to be upbeat, with businesses eager to ramp up activities as the industry and travel activities pull away from the doldrums. 

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DEMA 2022
Gareth Lock's presentation captivates the audience

Diving Talks 2022 – report

One evening, I told Arlindo Serrao, the organiser of the Diving Talks, that number two, following up on a prior success, was often challenging. I was referring to the fact that most movie sequels, with The Terminator and The Godfather being notable exceptions, often fail to get the same sort of traction as the first one; and that book authors and musicians frequently have less success with their second opus.

MIDE 2021 a success for both exhibitors and attendees

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.