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Dive Destination - Palm Beach, Florida | |
Boat Diving in Palm Beach, Florida
"Best Kept Secret in the U.S."
 DIA Dives with Dive Boat Narcosis. On December 10th, we had an opportunity to dive Palm Beach, Florida with legendary Dive Boat Skipper, Captain Van Blakeman. Our new friend from Palm Beach County, Dan Volker, set us up with a boat dive on the Dive Boat Narcosis and got us tanks and weights from Pura Vida Divers, in Palm Beach, Florida. With an early morning dive already behind us, Dan Volker, Dave Bertrand, Al Kidder and I boarded the Narcosis and headed out for a two tank dive. Despite the 6-8 foot swells on this otherwise beautiful almost winter day, Capt Van put us on a nice wreck in 85 feet of water like it was child's play. As soon as I hit the water and quickly began my descent, I realized that Palm Beach County was one of the best kept secrets of the diving world. First of all, it was winter diving and I was wearing my Oceanic 3/2mm full suit and a 3mm vest from Undersea Designs and by the end of the dive I was still warm as toast. Second, the visibility was great and there was little or no current on the wreck at 85 feet. For a dive that was just a few hundred yards off the beach, I was very happy to see Turtles and Goliath Groupers on the wreck.
Boats in Palm Beach don't anchor off or tie up to the wreck. They drop you off in buddy pairs or small groups on different parts of the wreck or reef. Each group has its own dive flag and Safety Sausage and the boat tracks each flag and picks up the divers as they surface. It was during our pick-up part of the dive when I saw first hand what an experienced boat captain we had. Capt Van came in for the pick-up, swung the boat around, and put the swim step right in front of us for an easy boarding. WOW! I have to tell you, I haven't seen anyone make diver pick-up look so easy as Captain Van did that day. So yes, we will return to Palm Beach as soon as possible. Not only for the excellent boat diving with Captain Van but for the Whales, Whale Sharks, Eagle Rays, Manta Rays, Goliath Groupers, and the countless other photo opts that are waiting for us just a few hundred yards off shore.
 Captain Van Blakeman: Owner and Captain of the Dive Boat Narcosis. Captain Van has a love for the ocean, diving, and people that make Narcosis Dive Charters the perfect place for him. Starting back in Marathon, Florida in the late 1960's, his work over the years with tugboats, while enjoying plenty of sailing and fishing, combined with diving experience ensures the confidence of his charter customers. His continued awe of the world, respect for the environment and desire to have fun keeps his customers coming back.
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Keeping on the Same Page | |
"Come Together"
by Gene Muchanski
Our Industry is fragmented, to say the least. Everyone seems to be busy doing their own thing and rarely do we come together as an industry and "stay on the same page" so to speak. By not having a central focus in the industry, we each have to research the vast Internet to get bits and pieces of news from all the companies and individuals that specialize in diving. That's an exhausting task and one that is not necessary in today's world of instant communication. There are a great number of companies that put out good information about our industry and the environment we do business in. It is our duty, as an association to research the Internet and bring our readers the best and the brightest about everything that is dive related. Stuff that is interesting to readers and writers alike. Buyer and Sellers. Lookers and Doers. Divers and Non-Divers. Everyone has a part to play and Dive Industry Association wants you to be an active part in uniting our industry for growth. Here is a simple list of things the industry can do to "come together".
- 1. Become an active Member of the Dive Industry Association.
- 2. Read our Monthly Newsletter, The Dive Industry Professional.
- 3. Visit our Trade Web Site frequently.
- 4. Use the DIA Trade Directory for your equipment and service needs and advertise.
- 5. Subscribe, read and submit your press releases to DIA's Weekly Dive News.
- 6. "Like" our Facebook Page and keep in touch.
1. You can become an active Member of the Dive Industry Association by downloading a Member Application today. Download Member Application
2. Read our Monthly Newsletter, The Dive Industry Professional. Read it as soon as its published or go to our web site to view the archived Newsletters of the past few years at www.diveindustry.net/newsletter
3. Visit our Trade Web Site for our Directory, Shows & Events and numerous articles and blogs at www.DiveIndustry.net
4. Use our new Trade Directory located at www.DiveIndustryDirectory.com and www.diveindustry.net/directory Advertise in the Directory to grow your business.
5. Subscribe to our Weekly Dive News Release by opting-in (top of this page). Make sure you update your preference to include your FREE subscription to the Weekly News, then hit submit.
6. "Like" our Facebook Page and enjoy frequent updates at www.facebook.com/diveindustry |
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Surf Expo 2012 - Orlando, FL |
Orlando, Florida - January 12-14, 2012
 Join Us at Surf Expo: More than 3,500 brands will be on hand, representing the latest style and fashion of the watersports community. Surf Expo offers the best brands, best buyers and best business-friendly venue - all in one place, all at one time. Attend the fashion shows, seminars and demos to get a feel for what the recreational watersports customers will be exposed to next year. The January 2012 show, held in the North Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, will offer more than 1,900 booths of the latest gear and fashion from the surf, skate, SUP, swim, dive, resort, souvenir & gift, and boutique industries. The show will also feature educational seminars, standup paddle demos, fashion shows, and the annual Florida Shape Off. The Dive section at the January show will be mixed in with Surf and Swim. Major Dive Brands will be targeting Sporting Goods Buyers and Recreational Snorkeling Buyers. New, growing niches include Freediving, Spearfishing and Underwater Photography.
Qualified Retail Buyers pay Zero - Zip - Nada to get in !!! After all, that's what a Trade Show is all about. Come together...Register today at www.surfexpo.com
Dive Industry Association is exhibiting at Booth 3009. We'll be showing Member DVDs on the big screen while Diving Top 100 is promoting our Members on our 27" iMac. Pick up a copy of our Trade Directory Handout and get 2 FREE Luggage Tags while you wait. DIA Members can renew their 2012 Membership at our Booth. You'll be able to upgrade your membership to the new Premier Membership or Lifetime Membership. Plan to spend a few minutes with us to check your contact information in our Directories and web sites. We will be showing our 2012 Trade Publication & Directory at Surf Expo. Sign up to reserve your FREE copy and make your advertising selections while you are there.
For more information on Surf Expo, contact Amy Hornby, c/o Surf Expo, 990 Hammond Drive, Suite 325, Atlanta, GA 30328. Phone: 678-781-7914. Fax: 678-781-7920. email: ahornby@surfexpo.com Web: http://www.surfexpo.com |
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Industry Trade Publication & Directory |
 DIA's Digital Trade Publication & Directory: The Dive Industry Association is producing an Industry Trade Directory. The Directory will be published both electronically and in print. The final publication will be a 24-32 page trade magazine in multiple formats, including a Print Ready Edition, Digital Page Turn Edition, SEO Digital Edition, Mobile Device Edition and a PDF Downloadable Edition. The Annual Trade Directory is hosted on a special web site http://www.DiveIndustryDirectory.com and our networked web sites. Electronic copies will be available worldwide, through our monthly Newsletter, Trade Web Sites, Consumer Web Sites and Facebook Pages.
The Directory is designed as a custom trade publication that will be a fully interactive, digital directory for our members, services, business tools, association information and advertisements. Current DIA Members each have their own listing in the Trade Directory and are referenced in the Product Cross-Reference Directory at no charge. Members receive a Member discount on advertising space. An Advertising Rate Card is available at http://www.DiveIndustryDirectory.com/rates |
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Weekly Press Releases - Dive Industry Weekly | |
 Dive Industry Association, Inc. is offering a weekly Press Release Service beginning January 3, 2012. This service is a strictly opt-in service and is FREE to receive. All current DIA Members will receive two FREE Press Releases in January. Images and text should be submitted to Gene Muchanski at gene@diveindustry.net
 To receive the Dive Industry Weekly please opt-in. Everyone, even veteran subscribers, should update their preferences to include the "Weekly Press Release" broadcast, then hit submit.
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Industry News - Recipes Wanted | |
 Recipes From The Dive Locker: A Collection of Seafarer's Favorites is looking for another 25 recipes. Do you have a favorite seafood recipe that you would like to see in print? Along with full credit and contact information linked to your web site? Contact: enter@diverecipes.com Web: http://www.diverecipes.com
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Welcome New Members | New Members are the life blood of any organization. Please extend a warm welcome to our new Members. You may want to check out their web sites and send them an email, welcoming them to the Dive Industry Association.
294 - Scuba Shack Maui - Retail Dive Center. Captain Charley Neal, Owner. 2349 South Kihei Road, Kihei, Maui, HI 96753. Toll Free Phone: 877-213-4488. Phone: 808-891-0500. Fax: 808-874-0560. email: wetanku@maui.net Web: http://www.scubashack.com |
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Charter Member & Member Renewals | | We would like to thank the following Members for renewing with us for another year. Please go to their web sites and become familiar with your fellow members. You can access their complete contact information by going to http://www.DiveIndustry.net/directory
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Shows & Events News | 
Shows & Events News
Here are the Shows & Events for the next 3 months.
2012
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Dive Industry Association - Exhibiting at these Shows | |
DIA Exhibiting at these Shows
11 Days Away - Surf Expo Orlando, FL January 12-14, 2012. Booth 3009 249 Days Away - Surf Expo Orlando, FL September 6-8, 2012. Booth TBA |
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Shows & Events - Condos Available at Westgate Lakes Resort | |
 
Condos Available During Trade Shows DIA Special Pricing: The Dive Industry Association has negotiated special pricing for condo rentals during trade shows in Orlando, Florida. A short 2 mile drive away from the hustle and bustle of the Orange County Convention Center is the Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa, 10000 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando, FL 32819. Phone: 407-345-0000. You can see these condo rentals at http://www.wglakes.com/westgate-lakes-photo-video.htm The Westgate Lakes Resort has Studios, One Bedroom Villas and Two Bedroom Villas available. Prices start at Daily Rates of $79 plus Resort Fee & Taxes. Contact Caroline Martinez, Group Sales Coordinator at; Phone: 407-355-1432. Fax: 407-355-2905. email: caroline_martinez@wgresorts.com for Reservations. Identify yourself as being part of the Dive Industry Association, Inc. Group. Condos are great for trade shows. Are you planning to entertain special clients or staff? Do you want more of a personal touch to your meetings. Fully functional condos are the way to go. We've stayed there a number of times over the years and prefer renting condos over hotels. We like the full kitchen, dining room, living room with big screen TV's and the specious bedrooms and baths. There is nothing better than stocking your fridge with your favorite food and beverage or soaking in your hot tub after a long day at the show. There is a Wal-Mart right down the street for groceries. Westgate has the Smokehouse Restaurant on campus as well as Pizza delivery to your condo. For more information, contact: Caroline Martinez, Group Sales Coordinator, Westgate Resort. Phone: 407-355-1432. Fax: 407-355-2905. email: caroline_martinez@wgresorts.com |
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Membership | |
Dive Industry Association Membership
 The Dive Industry Association is a Marketing and Trade Association dedicated to "Building a Better Industry, One Member at a Time." Founded in April 2001, 294 Dive Businesses and Individuals have joined our association to help us promote their businesses and grow the diving industry.
Our Mission: Bring the joys of snorkeling and scuba diving to the general public, thereby increasing the watersports industry and business opportunities for our Membership.
Our Goals:
- Unite the Industry to a common purpose.
- Promote Professional Development within our Membership.
- Generate maximum marketing exposure for our Members.
- Increase business opportunities for our Members.
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Dive Industry Foundation Business Seminars |
 The Dive Industry Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax exempt , educational and charitable organization. The Foundation's Mission is to "Promote Economic Development in the Water Sports Community" through educational seminars, workshops and programs developed for small business owners and their employees.
April 20, 2012 - A Shared Vision. FREE Industry Business Seminar at Dive & Travel Expo V, Tacoma, WA. Open to all Dive Industry Business Leaders. Lunch provided courtesty of Sponsors TBA. RSVP Required - 200 Person Capacity. REGISTER HERE For more information contact Gene Muchanski, Dive Industry Association, 2202 Lakewind Lane, League City, TX 77573. Phone: 281-554-2025. email: gene@diveindustry.net Web: http://www.DiveIndustry.net
Dive Industry Industry Foundation is exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to the Dive Industry Foundation are tax deductible under section 170 of the code. It is qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devices, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the code.
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FREE 60-Day Trial - Constant Contact | |
 Dive Industry Association is proud to be a Business Partner of Constant Contact. As a DIA Member you qualify for a FREE 60-Day Trial. Take it from us, it's a fun way to learn how you can help your business grow by using email marketing. Constant Contact is easy to use and they have a ton of support to help you get up and running. Request your 60-Day FREE trial today by going to Constant Contact
Then call us to see how we can help you grow your business.
Sign up today for a FREE 60-Day Trial Today !
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Business Partners |  |
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