Dive and Travel Expo

[brownick]

I was hoping to check out the dive and travel expo tomorrow (Saturday) and was wondering what time the doors open. I see that it supposedly starts at 10 am though the seminars and speakers also begin at that time. Does anyone know any details about what time the doors are actually scheduled to open? Is there going to be time to check out the booths before the seminars begin?

[Tom Nic]

The banner at the bottom of the page has all the info you need!

Looking foward to seeing you there.

[Joshua Smith]

Woot! I just got back from a long day at the expo. What a hoot! I had a blast! I met tons of people, saw a bunch of old friends, and wandered around and looked at all the pretty dive gear for hours and hours. If you didn't go today, make a point of going tomorrow. You won't regret it!

[cardiver]

Woot! I just got back from a long day at the expo. What a hoot! I had a blast! I met tons of people, saw a bunch of old friends, and wandered around and looked at all the pretty dive gear for hours and hours. If you didn't go today, make a point of going tomorrow. You won't regret it!

I hate it when work gets in the way of the dive expo!

[Dusty2]

Woot! I just got back from a long day at the expo. What a hoot! I had a blast! I met tons of people, saw a bunch of old friends, and wandered around and looked at all the pretty dive gear for hours and hours. If you didn't go today, make a point of going tomorrow. You won't regret it!

You forgot about the Rum!!

[Joshua Smith]

Woot! I just got back from a long day at the expo. What a hoot! I had a blast! I met tons of people, saw a bunch of old friends, and wandered around and looked at all the pretty dive gear for hours and hours. If you didn't go today, make a point of going tomorrow. You won't regret it!

You forgot about the Rum!!

The rum was awesome! But I think someone shut the free rum guy down, shortly after me and my gang of pirates discovered it. Something to do with the WSLCB....

[spatman]

The rum was awesome! But I think someone shut the free rum guy down, shortly after me and my gang of pirates discovered it. Something to do with the WSLCB....

ha! no kidding? i'm glad i got mine before eliot ness showed up...

[spatman]

here's a couple quick pics i snapped today:

setting up the booth

chris and dan

the booth in action

[LCF]

I missed the rum, but I had a ball. I talked to all kinds of folks who run charters and resorts at various places up in Canada, and I have all kinds of ideas on my wish list for trips. I looked at gear, and talked to the Hollis and White's folks, and I saw some new books and a lot of displays from exotic diving destinations.

I got to say hello to some old friends -- Tobin from DSS, Ben from Dive Xtras (who has some awesome photographs cycling on his display, which were making me whimper with withdrawal symptoms), Laura with the She-P, Scott Boyd with Porthole (who I had never met before, but have talked to a bunch on line), Bob Bailey, Dan Warter, Josh, Pez, Penelope, some non NWDC folks from Bubbles, and my big delight: Getting to meet SB's Doc Intrepid in person. Doc's been a correspondent and mentor ever since I first discovered boards, but I had never actually met him, so that was a big treat.

What a fun event this is -- if you can possibly get down there tomorrow, you should go.

Oh, and I should mention -- I saw a TON of NWDC T-shirts there!

[ljjames]

Many thanks to everyone who stopped by the booths (Dive X, Innerspace, She-P) in our little corner of the ...pool area (i think maybe the plankton bloom has extended topside?) Tomorrow I'll have to get one of those "Meg Baby" tank tops I LOVE it when badass CEO get's married to a way cool lady who 'helps' with marketing

We're gonna look at organizing a NWDC Dive Xtras DEMO day on the Bandito... Scooters/training provided by Dive X, divers just pay the standard charter fee...

[Joshua Smith]

Oh, and I should mention -- I saw a TON of NWDC T-shirts there!

Man. I know. That was humbling. There were SO MANY NWDC T shirts there. That was very cool. Our little web site has grown. I met many, many people who I only knew by their internet handles, today. And I still saw a bunch of people wearing our shirts that I didn't recognize....please feel free to introduce yourself, if you see me wandering around with glazed eyes, stumbling from booth to booth! I'm pretty friendly, and rarely ever bite anyone!

[edm81363]

some non NWDC folks from Bubbles

Just because I mainly lurk here doesn't mean I'm not a NWDC folk! (I did have my NWDC shirt on under my Jack's Diving Locker sweatshirt.)

BTW, Jack's has some UTD Instructors and DM's on staff - you should DEFINITELY consider them as a tropical destination. And Jack Ortiz there is a PNW diver transplanted to Kona. Stop by their booth and say hello to Jeff and Teri... they're fantastic hosts.

[And I should be at the Bubbles booth all day on Sunday.]

[dwashbur]

I couldn't wear an NWDC shirt 'cuz I was wearing my "Event Staff" shirt. It's been a long time since I worked an event like this, and frankly, it's a BLAST! I got to yak with some of you folks today, FINALLY got to meet Jan (had to pry myself away to get back to work, could have talked all day) and ran my stinky little feet off. I can't wait to do it again tomorrow!

[LCF]

Oh, Jan was there and I didn't get to meet him? That's tragic!

What a great event, to bring so many of us together. A big thanks to the people who organized the event from me.

[Scubak]

Sounds like good times are being had by all!
Tim and I plan on spending quite a bit of time there tomorrow!
I will make sure I stop, say hello and introduce myself!
Should be a fun day!
Kirsten

[nwscubamom]

I had a fantastic day but didn't get to spend much time other than at the REEF booth - but I did manage to snap a few photos here and there.

Before:


After:


Got myself a sticker and a nice green water bottle that everyone kept thinking was a new pony bottle as I carried it around the expo floor

MZ and Dave Washburn:


Bob and Jan:


Georgia and Valerie:


Tom (who just passed his REEF Level 5 test and will now be on the REEF AAT!)


John at the Browning Pass Hideaway booth


Many, many more photos of NWDC folks and other people you might know are here:
http://nwgeogirl.smugmug.com/gallery/80 ... 1203_tazKj

Enjoy!

- Janna

[airsix]

...and my big delight: Getting to meet SB's Doc Intrepid in person. Doc's been a correspondent and mentor ever since I first discovered boards, but I had never actually met him, so that was a big treat.

That guy is more elusive than a sixgill. You know, he only lives about 10 miles from me (well, when he's living in the state that is) and is a member of my local dive club. For years we've exchanged contact info, planned several meet-ups, said "we should go diving" countless times.... I've still never actually seen him in person. He's my monolith. I keep hearing he exists, but to date there has been no actual physical evidence.

-Ben

[Mattleycrue76]

Tomorrow I'll have to get one of those "Meg Baby" tank tops I LOVE it when badass CEO get's married to a way cool lady who 'helps' with marketing

Looks like someone beat you to it

[airsix]

FAIL.

[Seaslave]

Made it down to the Expo today! I found the Dive Club booth and picked up my swag, got my tshirt, water bottle and a couple stickers. I got to meet Scottsax, Pez, Laura and met Bob in passing on the escalator. I spent alot of time at the Innerspace booth. I want a Meg so bad.... The highlight for me was meeting John Chatterton though. Had a great day and enjoyed meeting some folks from the Club.

Mathue

Me, John and my buddy Jason

[Nwbrewer]

Tomorrow I'll have to get one of those "Meg Baby" tank tops I LOVE it when badass CEO get's married to a way cool lady who 'helps' with marketing

Looks like someone beat you to it

Wow, not cool. I was eating....

[no excuses]

was palaning on going but ended up going diving instead. Tough choices, go diving or go to the expo, .Kinda of a win win which ever choice I made

[Joshua Smith]

w00t! I had a stupid amount of fun this weekend! I just cleaned up after the "after party" at my house :occasion5: . And I think I ought to drink some water and head to bed. Thanks to everyone who came and said hello at our booth today, I love all of you!

[Zen Diver]

Thanks to everyone who came and said hello at our booth today, I love all of you!

[Penopolypants]

w00t! I had a stupid amount of fun this weekend! I just cleaned up after the "after party" at my house :occasion5: . And I think I ought to drink some water and head to bed. Thanks to everyone who came and said hello at our booth today, I love all of you!

Aw, we love you too, Most Gracious Cat Herder! :luv:

It was good to put some faces to some user names this weekend. Thanks to everyone who helped set up, break down, order sway, man the trenches, and especially those who stopped by to say hi!

And welcome to our new members!