DEMA reports...

[Pinkpadigal]

Hi Everyone!

Believe it or not, it is 50 degrees and pouring down rain in central Florida. I thought I was going to escape the rain! I hope tomorrow is much nicer.

Went and checked in. The show floor was closed today but from what I could see, it looked pretty impressive. Can't wait for tomorrow to see everything.

I went to a PADI social this evening and then had dinner with some friends. There were so many divers, from all over the world just sitting around, talking about diving. I met a guy tonight who has an agreement with the Phillpinnes to take divers on wrecks for treasure hunting. How cool is that???

Just wanted to check in and I will post all the cool stuff tomorrow!

[Pinkpadigal]

I am so tired!!! There was so much going on today at the show.

First stop this morning was a meeting with my sales rep at Atomic Aquatics. I ordered the parts Sounder wanted, and John showed me all the cool new stuff. There is a new regulator, 100% stainless steel. How it breathes is comparable to the B2 but, it is built enviromentally better and servicing this reg is easy for the tech. The new mask is extremely impressive. As you get deeper, you see clearer. I can't wait to try it!

Mares has some impressive new stuff too. The "She Dives" collection is beautiful. The new reg, BCD and other items for women are some of the best girl stuff on the market. The big news is the "liquid skin" mask. It feels so good and molds to the face so nice. You go to pinch your nose to clear and it feels like there is nothing between my fingers and my nose.

Sealife has 2 new products. First, 6mpx camera that is very cool. They also have a new camera called the Mini. It will retail for $299 and does not have a case. It is 6 mpx but has no zoom. It is designed as a true, point and click underwater camera. It is perfect for shallow dives or snorkelers.

I spent a little time at the Sherwood/Genesis/Akona booth. The Akona frog is still on the luggage but we are seeing blue and even pink in their luggage line. They have the cutest totebag, with pink/white flowers on it...oh yeah, got have one of those!!! :smt038 Anyway, the new Sherwood Gemini safe second is very nice. I like this alternate air source a lot.

Because I was in meetings most of the day, I did not get a chance to do a lot of looking around. What was different this year is the amount of new technology. The new stuff that is coming out is extremely impressive. Tomorrow I meet with Aeris to talk computers. I caught a glimp today and all I can say is, "wow". I will write about them tomorrow.

I had lunch with Bruce from Seasoft. He talked about his new products, including weight harnesses, the new Sealion BCD and new light and weight pockets. He also has a tropical drysuit.

The overall impressions were that it seems smaller than last year. I haven't seen a lot of people I know but it is great to reconnect with those I haven't seen in a year.

[Pinkpadigal]

Have I mentioned that there is so much stuff going on, I can barely keep up?

I was in a National Geographic Seminar this morning, but I had lots of time to shop and talk to vendors this afternoon. I started off with Aeris. I orders all the new computers, and was able to see the new Compu-Mask Hud. The dive computer is mounted in the right corner of the mask. It has a transmitter that is connected to the tank and it displays it on the small LED screen in the mask. Aeris and Oceanic are going to ship in March and the rumor is, they will send out demos to their dealers for customers to try. Does that sound cool or what???

I also talked to Nuvair and if all goes well, I am getting Nitrox for Christmas. I talked to them today, and I am working on leasing a compressor. My instructors were doing the happy dance on the DEMA floor. We also looked at a tank tumbler and some other cool technical stuff. I spent more time at the Sherwood booth looking at the new luggage. I also bought some fun snorkels. They have whistles on them. I thought that was a cool feature.

Tomorrow I am spending the morning in more PADI training, then meeting with UK and DAN. I will have about 3-4 hours tomorrow to shop.

If anyone wants me to shop for them or look at stuff, just let me know.

[DiverDown]

Thanks for keeping us up to date at DEMA. Do you have a blog? we can link to?? Please keep us informed...

[John Rawlings]

Hey, Amy!

Look me up at the Jetsam Technologies booth. I'll either be there or wandering the floor, but they should be able to find me on my cell phone.

I'd like to meet you!

John

[Cera]

I looked at those masks last year with the 'heads-up display" I thought they were kinda-cool. They have their purpose, but man they are expensive... I am enjoying your play-by-play! Have fun shopping!

[Pinkpadigal]

It is Friday and I am exhausted!

I don't have a blog...I have considered this my blog. I hope you all are ok with that.

I spent my morning in a PADI seminar discussing developing instructors. It was cool...me, a little ole MSDT with about 40 course directors and other dive shop owners. I learned A LOT and met people from all over the globe.

I talked with our sales rep from UK and finally, I will have UK lights in my store. I looked and looked but UK has the best mainstream lights around. I still have light envy for a big canister, but I can live with a light Canon. They should be in next week.

I got my photo taken with Richie Kohler and John Chatterton. I will post it on my website, myspace and on the shop photo board. They are really cool guys and are just regular divers like us. (except they are really famous, and make lots more money than we do )

I talked with Ray from OS Systems regarding Sars suits for Puyallup Fire and Rescue team. He is also going to help install the new Nitrox system I will be putting in!!! Yeah, I love EAN and it was expensive but it was worth it. I hope to have it installed and operational the first week of December.

The rest of the day I just wandered and looked. I got some diver tea, which is really good. They have cute tea pots. Every gadget possible for diving, someone is showing at the show. I was so tired that by 6pm, I thought I was going to fall asleep. I perked right up with the thought of dinner. I had a great dinner with my instructional staff. We compared notes and all of us are just amazed at all the cool stuff out there.

Tomorrow is the last day. I will finish up the floor, attend some PADI training, stop by and say hi to John Rawlings and do my travel research. There is some amazing travel deals and tomorrow I am going to see who has the best deal for warm water travel for next year. I leave at 6pm to fly home.

[Pinkpadigal]

I have posted some photos from DEMA on myspace.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu ... d=84256814

[John Rawlings]

Sorry we missed each other!

I just made it home and my feet STILL hurt from all the walking and standing I did!

- John

[sparky]

Thats it Amy next year you have to add all of us to your staff so we can join in the fun at DEMA

I would love to go one of these days ill make it I hope

Thanks for posting the reports for us Sounds like you guys are haveing a ball grate pics on your site to thanks
Sparky

[Cera]

Where is DEMA next year??? Did they say?

[John Rawlings]

It will be in Orlando again, then Las Vegas in 2008.

[Pinkpadigal]

Last notes...

I have spent the last couple of days recovering. I am sure John can relate. I got so much info that by Friday eve, I was so burnt out. I did do some final shopping though. I booked a group trip to Roatan for August at Coco View resort and a week on the Thornfin, a liveabord in Chuuk (Truk) for August 2008. Before I finalize both these group trips, I would love some reviews from any of you who have been to either place.

I liked staying at the host hotel but it was expensive and not that convienent. Next year, I will stay somewhere cheaper and rent a car. I am also going to West Palm Beach for at least one day to do some diving. It is about 2 1/2 hours a way and I love diving there.

I am talking to my electrician this week and the Nitrox compressor will ship sometime next week. I hope to have it installed before Thanksgiving. The new Atomic masks, new suit from Diving Concepts and other cool stuff should be in by Friday. The new Aeris computers will be in around the 30th.