The Texas Dive Show
Eric Keibler Jan 28, 2008
A dive show in Houston that wants retailer to participate and cares that we are there. Amazing but true, the Texas Dive Dhow sponsored by Dive Chronicles Magazine is precisely that – a show focused on getting new people into the sport and helping the retailers find new business.
The show replaces the old SeaSpace show which folded last year due to lack of good management, poor customer relations and inadequate advertising. The new show is trying to rebuild the relationships with the local stores and the diving community.
This show was held in a smaller venue – the JW Marriott Hotel ballroom which made for a more intimate show. The advertising was varied, including email, internet advertising and a novel idea of sending free tickets to the area private schools. How did it work? The crowds were not huge but we did receive some positive traffic and we met some new people. Wade and I had a lot of interest in the rebreathers that we showcased in the IANTD booth.
I did a presentation of Why Rebreathers and Peter DennHahn did one on the AP Diveing rebreathers. Both presentations were well attended and we generated a great deal of interest in Rebreather diving. We even decided to host a Rebreather Demo, two weeks after the show for people who want to learn more or experience one in the pool.
I look forward to seeing what other people thought about the show and what business follows. We felt positive wnough about the show that we have agreed to participate again next year.
