News

Wednessday Oct 22nd is the actual kick off of the 2008 DEMA show. Today was a set up day, as the show floor transformed from a huge concrete slab of nothingness into the world's largest scuba diving show, and the industry's only trade show. I got to set up the DivePhotoGuide booth without the help of the DPG team, who will arrive tomorrow - Wendy, Matt Weiss, and our newest member Miguel Novey. Keri Wilk was busy setting up the Reefnet booth, so I was flying solo - and with a torn tendon in my right elbow to boot! Fortunately, Peter Symes from X-Ray Mag was here to give me a hand in setting up. The day culminated in the annual PADI social, which is always a nice shindig hosted by PADI for their members from around the world.

On Wednessday night we will post a main event coverage page where all of our DEMA coverage will be linked from, as well as links to coverage from some of our partners.

Until then, here are a few pre-event images to give you a sense of the vibe here in Vegas...

The Riviera Hotel is the host hotel for the conference. Not exactly the shining
jewel on the Vegas strip, but filled with good friends at the moment

Ty Sawyer (Sport Diver), Suzette, Roberto & Eric from Pana Divers, Guatemala

Howard E. (Scubaboard) & Annie Crawley

Mike Luzansky (H2O Photo Pros) & his girlfriend

A cool old car was incorporated into the haunted Brooklyn
Bridge at New York, New York

Yours truly, Jason Heller (DPG) & David Benz, Publisher of Sport Diver Magazine
(Photo Ty Sawyer)

Dave & Lorraine Riscinti (Blue Water Divers in NJ) & Jef from Hampton Divers

Pat & Sherry Hammer - Our World Underwater

THE END of pre-DEMA, Day 0