DEMA is requesting nominations for the prestigious Reaching Out Award.

The Reaching Out Award was first presented in 1989.  Since inception, the intent of the Award has been to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to the sport of diving by “reaching out” in some special way to improve the sport for everyone.

Industry professionals are asked to consider nominating colleagues who have made the most positive contributions to the growth and sustainability of the Diving Industry, going beyond the norm of their day-to-day jobs and reaching out to make a difference for all. Nomination alone for this internationally recognized award is an achievement to be celebrated, and recipients are the true luminaries of the Industry. Acknowledging your colleague’s phenomenal influence on our Industry is a crucial part of carrying their legacy into the future in order to help our Industry grow and thrive.

ClearROAPicSince 1989, the Reaching Out Award has been presented to individuals who have advanced the Industry in unique ways, often developing products, programs, services and events that changed diving for the better. Areas of contribution have included equipment design, exploration, photography, publishing, retailing, science, training, travel and water safety. For details about nomination requirements and selection criteria, review the 2016 Reaching Out Award Nomination Form.  All nominees must have been active in the Diving Industry for a minimum of 10 years and made a significant contribution to the sport of scuba diving.

Selected recipients are inducted into the Industry’s Hall of Fame as the leaders and heroes of our sport; the people who have helped make diving what it is today.  DEMA continues to honor recipients each year during the annual DEMA Show, including acknowledgment in the onsite Hall of Fame booth and during the Industry’s premiere networking event, the DEMA Awards Party. Event details for the DEMA Awards Party will be released in the coming months.

Get started on your nominations now.  If you have any questions about submitting a Reaching Out Award nomination contact Joyce Washington at (858) 616-6408 x101 or jwashington@dema.org.

About DEMA

DEMA, the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association, is an international organization dedicated to the promotion and growth of the recreational scuba diving and snorkeling industry. With more than 1,300 members, this non-profit, global organization promotes scuba diving through consumer awareness programs and media campaigns such as the national Be A Diver® campaign; diver retention initiatives such as DiveCaching; and DEMA Show, an annual trade-only event for businesses in the scuba diving, action watersports and adventure/dive-travel industries.