The Diving Equipment & Marketing Association will be handing out a new award this year to honor dive professionals who are relatively new to the industry.
DEMA’s “Wave Makers” award will go to new professionals in the diving industry who are employed by (or own) a DEMA-Member business. It will recognize those who have been working in the industry for five years or less and have made a significant contribution to the industry during that time.
Engaging and attracting young dive professionals has been on DEMA‘s radar for some time now. During DEMA Show in 2015, the organization held a seminar on how to attract young diving professionals to the industry. Among the topics discussed during that seminar were salaries as well as mentorship and leadership programs.
Check out DeeperBlue.com’s coverage of that seminar here.
According to DEMA, the organization’s Board of Directors “recognizes that the best approach to generating creativity, continued participation with DEMA and sustained engagement with the association and industry by new professionals is to create a culture that supports that creativity and celebrates innovative thinking.”
While the Wave Makers Award will go to new dive pros, its criteria require a significant amount of exposure to DEMA within three categories:
* Contribution to DEMA’s Mission
* Providing Business or Community Service
* Contributing to Dive Industry Growth
Nominations for the 2017 Wave Makers Award will be accepted until September 6, 2017 with the four finalists and 2017 honoree being announced at the 2017 DEMA Awards Party at DEMA Show in Orlando, Florida.
Check out the criteria to qualify for the award here.
