Tourism operators leavefor Marketing Show In Las Vegas
Cayman islands tourism operators and tourismgovernment officials are ready to take this year's Dive Equipmentand Marketing Show (DEMA) by storm. The four-day event takes placeduring the period Oct. 22nd 25th in the entertainment capitalof the world, Las Vegas.
DEMA is the largest dive tradeshow of itskind in the world and once again, the Cayman Islands will be representedby a formidable contingent of 20 local dive operators from theCayman Islands Tourism Association, as well as representativesfrom the Ministry and Department of Tourism.
The Cayman theme this year is "Celebration"and delegates can expect to see a very colourful exhibit area,supported by the local delegates in pirates' regalia!
Director of Tourism, Mrs. Lania Rittenhouse,will deliver the keynote address at the Cayman sponsored DiveTravel Conference on Oct. 21st. Each year, this event attractsover 200 travel agents and dive retailers and the Cayman IslandsDirector will speak on "The Dive Travel Experience as a FamilyVacation".
On Oct. 23rd, the Department of Tourismand the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) host an excitingparty with a twist entitled "Cayman Slides Through History".This will feature 15-minute slide presentations by the three leadingdive publications - Dive Training, Rodale's Scuba Diving, andSport Diver each highlighting the best shots from theirextensive photo libraries, shot in Cayman over the years.
This event promises to be great fun withthe best of Cayman's underwater photography, conch fritters, jerkchicken and rum punch donated by Tortuga and Blackbeards Rum Companies.
Destination seminars will be held on Oct.23rd and 24th, where attendees have an opportunity to learn aboutthe services and amenities offered by Cayman suppliers, as wellas new short-stay travel packages to the Cayman Islands.
Spearheaded by Cayman Airways, the CaymanIslands pavilion has developed a strong draw card for delegatesthis year through the "Cayman Passport". Fourteen holidaypackages including air travel from any Cayman Airways gateway,accommodation and diving can be won by delegates, who visit allparticipating Cayman booths and get their passport stamped. Thispromotional tool is expected to draw extra attention to the Caymanpavilion.
Delegates are also encouraged to stop bythe Celebrity Booth and mingle with people who have made lastingimpressions on the scuba world. Visitors to the Celebrity Boothcan snap a photo or get coveted autographs from inductees intothe International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame such as Cayman's ownBob Soto, Stan Waterman, Bob Hollis, Paul Tzimoulis, Zale Parry,Jack Lavanchy and John Cronin. Other industry greats present atthe booth will include Dr. Guy Harvey, Cathy Church and KerryChen. Miss Cayman, Shannon McLean and Olympic Gold Medal holder,Mike Barrowman will also be in the Cayman Celebrity Booth. Delegateswill also have a chance to win attractive merchandise by famedmarine life artist, Dr Guy Harvey.
Cayman will also be in the spotlight withseveral awards. Ron Kipp, active CITA member and previous ownerof Bob Soto's Diving will receive DEMA's prestigious "ReachingOut Award". Further, the locally produced educational children'svideo series "Under the Waves" by Caribbean ProducerServices as well as Cayman's current summer marketing campaign"H2Go!" will be awarded with DEMA's Splash Award, whichrecognizes excellence in Marketing and Advertising within theDive Industry.
DEMA is a global non-profit organizationof over 1,000 companies. Its mission is to "promote and providesustainable growth in recreational diving and snorkeling througheducation and training while protecting the underwater environment.