About this event

Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) Show — DEMA Show 2026

Event Overview (Verified Core Details)

• Dates: November 3–6, 2026
• Venue: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
• City/State/Country: New Orleans, LA, United States
• Industry category: Scuba diving expo / diving equipment & diving-related business event

Purpose of This Research Brief

We use DEMA Show as an annual global meeting point for scuba and dive-industry stakeholders—manufacturers, brands, distributors, retailers, resort operators, dive clubs, training organizations, and media/community participants. This brief helps us identify the best buyer-attendee segments and buyer-company targets for list-building and outreach planning, based on who actually participates and what they need from partners.

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1️⃣ Who Attends (BUYERS / ATTENDEES)

DEMA Show is best understood as a “trade + product discovery + industry networking” event. While the show draws a wide range of dive enthusiasts and education participants, the buyers we prioritize are typically the organizations that (a) source products, (b) manage distribution, (c) purchase inventory, (d) run training and memberships, or (e) invest in marketing/media partnerships.

Buyer-heavy attendee groups we target:

• Scuba gear manufacturers & brand owners looking for distribution partnerships, retailer relationships, and co-marketing.
• Distributors & importers/exporters focused on line expansion, regional coverage, and new product launches.
• Specialty dive retailers & eCommerce brands (buying leads and category managers) planning seasonal assortments and vendor terms.
• Resorts, dive operators, and liveaboard businesses purchasing equipment programs, safety/maintenance services, and branded experiences.
• Training agencies & certification organizations seeking training materials, curriculum partners, and marketing/community engagement opportunities.
• Dive clubs & membership communities that influence purchasing decisions and vendor sponsorship interest.
• Media, content, and publishing partners sponsoring and creating promotional campaigns around diving products and destinations.

Practical takeaway: For outreach, we structure targeting around buying responsibilities (procurement, category management, product sourcing, distribution development, resort purchasing, and sponsorship/marketing decision roles). This avoids over-indexing on general “attendee-only” presence and concentrates on organizations that can convert show engagement into business outcomes.

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2️⃣ Where the Show Is Happening + Attendee Geographic Origin

Show location (verified): Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA, United States.

Attendee geographic origin (directional): DEMA Show typically attracts a strong U.S.-based buyer base (specialty retailers, distributors, dive operators, and training organizations) with additional international representation from global brands, especially from regions with established scuba manufacturing, distribution networks, and dive-tourism markets.

How we translate this into targeting:

• Primary: United States buyers—retailers, distributors, training organizations, and dive operators.
• Secondary: North America and Europe/Australia-based brands/distributors (commonly present in global dive trade ecosystems).
• Opportunity: International buyers often come to source distribution and retail partnerships and to evaluate region-specific demand.

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3️⃣ Audience Reach (Local / National / Global)

DEMA Show should be treated as a national-to-global event for business outreach. The show is positioned as a scuba and diving industry expo, which usually draws brands and commercial buyers beyond the host region.

• Local component: New Orleans and Gulf South hospitality/dive-adjacent businesses may participate given regional proximity and travel convenience.
• National component: U.S. manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and training organizations are core.
• Global component: International brand and media partners often attend to strengthen product distribution and marketing presence.

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4️⃣ Sample Buyer Company Names (BUYERS ONLY) + Websites

Below are buyer-relevant sample targets aligned with how DEMA Show participants typically operate: manufacturers, distributors, retailers, training organizations, and dive-operation brands. We will refine this list further once we review your client product requirements.

Priority	Company	Website	Best Title to Target	Why This is a Good Buyer Fit
1	Aqua Lung	https://www.aqualung.com	Product Manager / Category Manager (Regulators & Buoyancy)	Direct dive-equipment brand; strong fit for partnerships tied to product launches, merchandising, and dealer/distributor programs.
2	Scubapro (SCUBAPRO)	https://www.scubapro.com	Director of Product / Marketing Partnerships Lead	Established manufacturer brand where show exposure maps well to trade channel expansion and co-marketing.
3	Mares	https://www.mares.com	Trade Marketing Manager / Distributor Development Manager	Gear brand with international distribution; buyers typically evaluate regional partners and retail programs.
4	Cressi	https://www.cressi.com	Sales Director / North America Sales Manager	Brand owner focused on distributor and retailer agreements—DEMA Show is a high-density marketplace.
5	Oceanic	https://www.oceanicworldwide.com	Regional Sales Manager / Product Marketing Manager	Dive equipment brand; strong match for buyers interested in brand visibility and distribution growth.
6	TUSA (Aqualung Trading / TUSA brand footprint)	https://www.tusa.com	Marketing Manager / Trade Sales Manager	Specialty scuba brand; typically engages retailers, distributors, and training channels.
7	Sherwood Scuba	https://sherwoodscuba.com	President / Director of Sales (Trade)	Scuba brand with a trade focus; show attendance often correlates with distribution and channel strategy.
8	Seac	https://www.seacsub.com	Export Sales Manager / Distributor Partnership Manager	Export-oriented dive brand; ideal for buyers seeking international retail/distribution partners.
9	Dive Rite	https://www.dive-rite.com	Director of Sales / Dealer Program Manager	Technical-focused gear company; strong for buyers aligned to specialty retailer education and outfitter deals.
10	SSI (Scuba Schools International)	https://www.divessi.com	Director of Partnerships / Marketing Manager (Training)	Training organization; buyers value content/marketing ecosystems and equipment-aligned program growth.
11	PADI	https://www.padi.com	Partnerships Manager / Trade Marketing Lead	Global training platform; strong buyer fit for vendor partnerships, training ecosystem initiatives, and event collaborations.
12	SDI / TDI (Training International)	https://www.tdisdi.com	Director of Business Development / Partnerships	Training agency; buyers often look for brand and service partners that enhance certifications and equipment standards.
13	Worldwide Dive & Travel (Example: dive operator category)	https://www.divetravel.com	Purchasing / Operations Manager (Dive Programs)	Dive operator travel and program business; typically interested in equipment programs, safety services, and promotional sponsorships.
14	Diveheart / Dive community operator segment	https://www.diveheart.org	Development Director / Corporate Partnerships Manager	Nonprofit dive-related community; suitable if your client product supports programs, sponsorships, and branded community outreach.
15	Dive retailers (Example: Leisure Pro category)	https://www.leisurepro.com	Merchandising Manager / Category Buyer	Retail purchasing roles are directly aligned with trade show sourcing and vendor negotiations (we will verify current operating status in our full research).
16	Scuba.com	https://www.scuba.com	Buying Manager / Head of Merchandising	Specialty eCommerce/scuba retailer buyer; show engagement often relates to inventory planning and brand offers.
17	Diving equipment distributor (Example: major dive distribution)	https://www.royaldistributing.com	VP Sales / Distribution Development Manager	Distributor-focused buyer role; typically scouts brand lines and retailer partners—high likelihood of relevance at DEMA.
18	SSI-certified training networks (training affiliates category)	https://www.divessi.com	Regional Training Director / Program Manager	Affiliate network decision-makers can be influenced by trade relationships and supplier credibility presented at the show.
19	Scuba diving media/community (diving press segment)	https://scubadiving.com	Editorial Partnerships / Brand Sponsorship Manager	Media buyers pursue sponsorship inventory and vendor storytelling tied to diving product launches.
20	Resort & dive operator brands (Example category)	https://www.diveholidays.com	Procurement Manager (Programs) / Partnerships Director	Operators buy gear/safety and seek partnerships; DEMA is a strong place to establish supplier relationships.

Top 5 to send first (high-level buyer priorities): Aqua Lung, Scubapro, Mares, PADI, SSI. These represent strong “brand/training ecosystem” decision pathways that are commonly aligned with trade show engagement.

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5️⃣ Job Profiles, Industries & Event Type

Best job profiles to target

• Director / VP Sales (Trade) — responsible for distributor and retail channel growth.
• Distributor Development Manager — builds partner networks and sells line coverage.
• Trade Marketing Manager — coordinates co-op campaigns, retailer promotions, and brand presence.
• Category Manager / Buyer — selects product lines, manages assortment and vendor negotiations.
• Product Manager — drives launch strategy, requirements, and go-to-market.
• Partnerships Manager — aligns brands with training agencies, media, and destination marketing.
• Operations Manager (Dive / Resort) — purchases safety gear, equipment programs, and service contracts.
• Training Director / Program Manager — sources equipment/materials for certification networks.
• Merchandising Lead (Retail/ECom) — maps inventory to demand and seasonality.
• Corporate Sponsorship / Brand Partnerships Manager — budgets for industry events and media exposure.

Industries we’d map to for list-building (aligned with the Apollo-style industry approach)

We recommend using these industry filters because they most closely represent the business types that attend and buy within DEMA Show’s ecosystem:

• Leisure, Travel & Tourism (resorts, dive travel, tourism experiences)
• Sporting Goods (dive gear retail and specialty sports products)
• Retail (specialty dive stores, eCommerce scuba retailers)
• Health, Wellness & Fitness (where diving training intersects with wellness programs)
• Media Production and/or Online Media (diving media, content partnerships)
• Marketing & Advertising (sponsorship, campaigns, brand collaborations)
• Professional Training & Coaching (training agencies, certification networks)
• Recreational Facilities & Services (dive centers and recreational operators)
• Events Services (if your client sells event-related services, booking, or sponsorship packages)

Event type (how it should be positioned)

• Industry Trade Expo for diving equipment and dive-industry commerce
• Brand & Product Launch Platform
• Training & Certification Ecosystem where suppliers align with training standards
• Destination & Operator Networking for dive tourism and operator partnerships

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6️⃣ Estimated Attendance (Expected Total Footfall)

The provided official website content in our source text includes dates and location, but it does not provide an explicit expected attendance number. If we receive an attendance figure from additional official materials (or from your internal target sheet), we will incorporate it.

Estimated attendance: (Not stated in the provided official website text)

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7️⃣ Key Focus Areas & Buyer Engagement

DEMA Show buyer engagement generally clusters around:

• New product discovery & vendor evaluation (regulators, BCDs, drysuits/wetsuits, fins, masks, dive computers, accessories).
• Distribution and retail channel expansion (line cards, minimum order planning, regional coverage, seasonal promotions).
• Training ecosystem partnerships (equipment compatibility, program branding, certification adoption).
• Safety, maintenance, and reliability solutions (service programs, replacement cycles, training standards).
• Marketing, sponsorship, and media collaborations (event-based exposure, influencer/editorial campaigns, product storytelling).
• Tourism & operator partnership models (resort and operator equipment programs, experience packages, guest demand generation).

How we recommend buyers should be engaged (message angle):

• “We help dive brands/training networks/retailers reach decision-makers and improve conversion from show interest into structured partnerships.”
• “We enable product-line sourcing and targeted follow-up with the right buying roles tied to retail distribution, dealer programs, and training adoption.”
• “We support sponsorship and partnership targeting for media and community stakeholders connected to diving.”

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8️⃣ Client-Product Fit: What We Need From Your Client + Best Buyer Recommendation (We-based)

To identify the best buyers for our client from the DEMA Show universe, we need to review your client product requirements using their official website. Please share your client website (URL), and we will confirm:

• Which buyer types are truly relevant (manufacturing vs retail vs training vs operator vs media)
• The specific job titles to prioritize
• Any exclusions (e.g., we may avoid brands that are competitors or those that don’t purchase this category)
• Which industry filters are the best match to your client’s offering

Quick interim guidance (until we review the client website):

• If your client sells diving equipment or accessories → prioritize gear brands, distributors, retail category buyers, and trade marketing leads.
• If your client sells training materials, certification tooling, or education programs → prioritize training organization partnerships and regional training/program directors.
• If your client sells marketing services, sponsorship, or content partnerships → prioritize media partnerships managers, brand partnerships leaders, and trade marketing decision-makers.
• If your client sells tourism/dive operations services → prioritize resort/dive operator operations and partnerships roles.

Please send: your client website URL (and 2–3 bullet points on what the product does, plus target geography if any).

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9️⃣ Final Recommendation (Buyer-List Sales Readiness)

Based on DEMA Show’s established positioning as a scuba and dive-industry expo in New Orleans (November 3–6, 2026), the show is a strong fit for high-intent buyer targeting. The event’s best value comes when we avoid “general attendee” focus and instead concentrate on buying roles tied to: manufacturing partnerships, distribution development, retail category procurement, training program adoption, and marketing sponsorship execution.

Our recommended buyer segmentation approach:

• Primary segment: diving equipment brands + distributors + specialty retailers
• Secondary segment: training organizations and certification networks
• Third segment: dive operators/resorts and dive tourism brands
• Cross-cutting segment: media and sponsorship partners for marketing-driven offerings

Once we review your client website, we will produce the final “best buyers” list with: prioritized companies, best titles to target, and the exact industry filters aligned to your client’s product category.