No SEASPACE in '08

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Sushi Boy

Shananigator
DAM CHUMmer
First Name
Roger
DiveNewsWire Article - Seaspace Looks to the Future

Big changes announced as SEASPACE works to advance its environmental education and youth outreach missions.

The SEASPACE Board of Directors wishes to thank the exhibitors, staff and volunteers who have supported our ongoing efforts. After careful consideration, rather than staging a commercial-booth show in 2008, SEASPACE is seeking other means of advancing its mission of marine environmental education and youth outreach.

Founded in 1969 by members of the Houston Underwater Club, SEASPACE has a long and storied history of service to the dive community. While other consumer dive shows operate as commercial endeavors, SEASPACE is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. In addition to staging an exciting, annual scuba diving exposition, SEASPACE’s mission has been to focus on marine environmental education, with a concerted and ongoing outreach to youth.

As of 2007, SEASPACE’s Scholarship and Grants program has funded more than $520,000 in scholarships to students of the marine sciences and monetary awards to organizations involved in marine preservation projects. A SEASPACE Permanent Education Fund has been established, so as to enable the continuation of these awards for years to come.

SEASPACE wishes to express its profound appreciation to the exhibitors who have supported the show over the years, and made these financial commitments possible. Likewise, we wish to thank the hard-working staff and hundreds of volunteers who have made SEASPACE what our exhibitors tell us is the best organized, and friendliest, consumer dive show in the country.

Over the past decade, the SEASPACE Board of Directors has noted that times are changing for consumer and trade show events. With the proliferation of instant communication via the Internet, and television specials that can trump most any independent underwater film festival, the validity and imperative of staging an annual exposition may be on the wane.

After careful consideration, the SEASPACE Board of Directors has elected not to schedule a commercial booth-concentric exposition in 2008. Rather, SEASPACE is actively seeking avenues to continue its outreach and scholarship activities by other means. More information will be provided as plans progress, and the input of interested parties is welcomed.
 

ReefHound

The Last Poobah
DAM CHUMmer
First Name
Todd
Wow! I had heard big changes were in order due to complaints about 2007 that it had become little more than promo for dive resorts but didn't expect this. It may not have been as big or interesting as shows in the past but I certainly didn't think it needed to be killed. I can't imagine them finding a better fundraiser than this show.
 
D

Disco Biscuit

Guest
I can't believe they are letting it all go. I think overall it added great value to the dive industry. Although I did not attend this last year, in years past it was a great event and one that I looked forward to. I wish they had not decided to let it go...
 

smash

Nurse Shark
First Name
Patricia
Actually, my understanding is that the decision was a long time in coming. After the 2005 show, they were already thinking about curtailing the commercial show because the recreational dive market was down (even DEMA struggled that year), attendance numbers were down, and feedback wasn't what it had been in years past. They gave it another shot this year, moving the show date to a more advantageous part of the year, but then ran into resistance from a number of the large dive retailers and other businesses who felt that the show was directly competing with their interests. Although the two groups I'm involved with, CHUM and HUPS, had great turnout for this year's show and had a terrific time, I'm sure you all noticed that overall attendance was down and that the show was much smaller than it used to be.

I'm kind of conflicted that the show won't be going on. On the one hand, I've heard all the whispers and criticism and can see that it's not as financially beneficial as it used to be. On the other hand, I loved having all those resources in one place at one time, meeting the travel vendors in person, and getting show discounts! Even more, I loved getting the opportunity to meet all the giants of the dive industry -- the photographers, the resort and liveaboard owners, the gear pioneers, etc.

I hope Seaspace continues as an organization; I hope the educational program expands; and I hope to continue to meet more of the amazing community that makes up the dive world!
 

katwoman

Nurse Shark
What I heard from the Pres is

BOD will be looking at
alternatives--downsized alternative, different venues, possibly fewer
exhibitors, film festival emphasis???

And we are open for suggestions?
:D

Any CHUMERS have suggestions??

I would be happy to pass them along.
 

smash

Nurse Shark
First Name
Patricia
If they can swing it, I think having separate events spread throughout the year would be nice. Maybe a travel show at the beginning of the year when people are planning their annual vacations. Maybe a series of educational workshops throughout the year -- The Seaspace Educational Series. The various dive clubs might even like to co-host some of the series events.
 

Sushi Boy

Shananigator
DAM CHUMmer
First Name
Roger
Rumors, hints and allegations...

Well, looks like we won't be completely without a dive show in Houston:

New Show slated for Houston in January, 2008

January 26 & 27, 2008 are the dates set for the New Texas Dive Show- Houston.

New Venue, New Location, Better Rates.

The admission fee for the Show is set at only $10.00. However if attendees visit their local Dive Center prior to the show they can receive a 50% coupon. Coupons for the show admission discount are only available at Local Dive Centers.

Exhibitors will be please with the new Show Booth Rates, which will include unique shipping options to other consumer dive shows.

Parking will be free to all that are attending.


Unless I miss my guess, this is somehow affiliated with a diving magazine. The BOD will look into it and let you know more as info comes out.
 

Hawkeye Mark

Iowa Hawkeye Fan
First Name
Mark
You are on the money

Well, looks like we won't be completely without a dive show in Houston:

New Show slated for Houston in January, 2008

January 26 & 27, 2008 are the dates set for the New Texas Dive Show- Houston.

New Venue, New Location, Better Rates.

The admission fee for the Show is set at only $10.00. However if attendees visit their local Dive Center prior to the show they can receive a 50% coupon. Coupons for the show admission discount are only available at Local Dive Centers.

Exhibitors will be please with the new Show Booth Rates, which will include unique shipping options to other consumer dive shows.

Parking will be free to all that are attending.

Unless I miss my guess, this is somehow affiliated with a diving magazine. The BOD will look into it and let you know more as info comes out.


Went to HUC board meeting this evening. New show is affiliated with a magazine. Will relay what I can tommorow.
 

ReefHound

The Last Poobah
DAM CHUMmer
First Name
Todd
Here is a SB thread with a few more details. It is put on by Dive Chronicles publication and they put on a good show in Atlanta last month. Allegedly, it will be at the Marriott on Westheimer.
 

Hawkeye Mark

Iowa Hawkeye Fan
First Name
Mark
Dive Show

I was at a business seminar in there a couple of weeks ago. smaller venue=lower costs. Free parking and no expensive concessions like Reliant. Can walk across street to Galleria food court.
 
L

Lisa0825

Guest
Free tickets to the Texas Dive Show:

Click here.

The link wasn't working when I tried last week, but it is now.

Oops... the confirmation email I got back has different dates...


Congratulations, you've registered!
In the next two weeks you will recieve your free exhibit hall ticket to the Texas Dive Show via U.S. Mail. Don't lose this ticket and mark your calender for the 1st and 2nd of December 2007. Check the website often for updates on show speakers and events. http://www.texasdiveshow.com
Sincerely, The Staff of the Texas Dive Show
P.S. Dont forget to spread the word about the Texas Dive Show to your friends and fellow dive buddies.

I emailed to ask about that. No reply yet.
 
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divingmedic

Nurse Shark
First Name
Daniel
I hope it is Jan and not Dec. I work one of those days, the other is my wifes birthday and we are also having our daughters b-day party that day since I will go be suffering and diving in PR/St Croix the weekend of her birthday.
 

Sushi Boy

Shananigator
DAM CHUMmer
First Name
Roger
Yeah it it Jan.

They probably cut and pasted the message from one of the other shows they do, and forgot to change the dates.
 

AVID

Nurse Shark
First Name
Shannon
Oooh, yeah. If it's Dec it would interfere with the Valhalla trip. Can't have that now, can we?
 

Spanish Dancer

Nurse Shark
Yeah it it Jan.

They probably cut and pasted the message from one of the other shows they do, and forgot to change the dates.


Sushi Boy,
Is CHUM considering having a booth at the show? I checked out their website and below is some of their info currently listed. I think it would really be "fantastic" if CHUM could participate too!:piratewithhat2:

The Annual Texas Dive Show
J.W. Marriott Hotel/Convention Center
January 26 - 27
Entrance Fee: $ 10.00
Discount Coupons are availabe at Local Dive Centers starting November 20,2007

You can save 50% by picking up a discount coupon at your local store.

Booths are available for only $ 850.00
First come first served for space selection.
Call us at 888-557-2822
Email gene@divechronicles.com
Speaker request email brad@divechronicles.com

BELOW IS A LIST OF EXHIBITORS THUS FAR

Company Booth #
Aggressor Fleet Limited 312
Aqua Dreams Travel 500
Blackbeard's Cruises and Stuart Cove's Dive 305
Bonaire Hospitality Group 410
Bonaire Hotel & Tourism Association 408
Brac Reef Beach Resort 216
Cayman Islands Dept. of Tourism 213, 215
Club Cantamar 208
Dive Chronicles 419
Dive House/Fiesta Americana 101
Dive Paradise/Hotel Cozumel 201
Dive Provo / Dive Tortola 219
Dive Rite 118
Dive Tech @ Cobalt Coast 218
Divi Resorts 402
Diving Unlimited International 309
Fantasy Island Beach Resort 316
Gigglin Marlin Divers, Inc 411, 415
Gulf Diving LLC 306
Hagstrom Collection 202
Houston Scuba Academy 403
IANTD 302
Island Dreams Travel 301
Laguna Beach Resort 315
Light and Motion 418
Little Cayman Beach Resort 214
Mango Inn 313
Nekton Diving Cruises 5
Oceanic Ventures 300
Pascal Lecocq Painter 1
Pro Scuba 200
Roatan Charter 409
Rottan Charters 407
RSI Marketing Group 406
Scuba Schools International 203
Sea Robin 209
Sea Space /Houston Underwater 6
Silent Diving 304
South Pacific Island Travel 314
St. Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures 400
Sunset House/Grand Cayman 217
Wet Wear 210, 211
 
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