SDI DEMA SHOW

DEMA SHOW 2025

Don’t Miss the Dive World’s Epicenter, Orlando Awaits.

November 11–14, DEMA Orlando is the industry’s can’t-miss gathering. Visit SDI at Stand N-1329 for four days of powerful seminars (W305AB). Explore, learn, connect, and take your diving further with the expertise and energy only SDI delivers.

SEMINAR SCHEDULE

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11

10–10:50 am // Brian Shreve

First Response Training International Members Update

First Response Training International is excited to share an important update to our first aid training materials. Our refreshed courses use the latest teaching strategies and international guidelines to make even complex procedures easy to understand. These updates are designed to build confidence, strengthen our community, and create even more opportunities for those looking to grow as First Response Training International Instructors.

11–11:50am // Cathryn Castle Garcia

Connect. Profit. Repeat. Use This Proven Formula to Grow Your Business.

Discover a simple yet powerful formula to expand your reach, increase revenue, and create lasting success. This seminar will guide you through strategies to build meaningful connections, turn those relationships into profitable opportunities, and develop repeatable systems that keep your business growing. Whether you’re a new shop owner or a seasoned professional, you’ll leave with practical tools and insights you can put to work immediately.

12–1:50pm // Mark Powell

Member’s Update. What’s new at SDI, TDI, ERDI and PFI

We’ve been busy! From adding exciting new products and translating existing materials, to updating standards and enhancing our website with new features and services, there’s a lot to share. This session is your chance to get the latest updates directly from our team, connect with fellow SDI, TDI, ERDI and PFI members, and have your questions answered. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and engaged—an essential seminar for all members!

2–2:50pm // Stephanie Miele

Women Navy Diver Veteran’s Roundtable Discussion

Join us for an amazing opportunity to hear from a roundtable of trailblazing veteran women Navy divers as they share their personal journeys beneath the surface. From the challenges they faced breaking barriers, to the triumphs of service and exploration, you’ll get a candid look at both the good and the bad of life in one of the most demanding professions in the world. Their stories will inspire, educate, and honor the legacy of women who paved the way in military diving.

Women Divers in the Military

Roundtable Guests

3–3:50pm // Brian Carney

How Big is Tech Diving?

Back by popular demand, Brian Carney will once again be presenting highly anticipated data on the size and scope of the technical diving market. This presentation has become a favorite within the industry, as it provides valuable insight into the growth, trends, and overall impact of technical diving worldwide. For the third time in the past decade, TDI will be releasing its certification numbers, offering a rare and transparent look at how the market has developed over the years. The data not only highlights the progress of the agency but also serves as a benchmark for understanding where the technical diving community is headed in the future.

4–5:30pm // Sean Harrison

Story time with Sean Harrison and The Chapman School of Seamanship
“Risk Management for Dive Professionals”

Join Sean Harrison, Jim Allen and Aaron Zimmer for an engaging seminar designed for dive professionals, where he shares practical strategies and real-life stories to help you protect your students, yourself and your business in today’s litigious society. Learn how to recognize potential risks, reduce liability, and apply best practices that keep you and your divers safe. With The Chapman School of Seamanship’s panel of experts, we will share insights, practical tips, and proven strategies to help you reduce risks and improve safety standards while boating. Whether you’re running charters, teaching classes, or guiding divers, you’ll walk away with actionable steps to make your time on the water safer and more efficient.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12

8–9:30am // Cris Merz & Jesse Iacono

Dealer’s Breakfast

Join us for breakfast! We invite you to join us for breakfast and meet our family. This breakfast is open to existing, new, and prospective dealers.

10–10:50am // Cathryn Castle Garcia

Is Your Website All About You?
How to Make More Money By Making Your Website About Your Customer.

Join marketing expert Cathryn Castle Garcia for a hands-on seminar focused on transforming your website into a customer-friendly experience. Learn how to rethink design, content, and navigation to make your site more inviting, engaging, and effective at converting visitors into loyal customers. Walk away with practical strategies to ensure your website truly speaks to your audience and supports your business goals.

11–11:50am // Alex Brylske

Teaching Mindfully: How to Build Deeper Customer Connections

Learn how adopting a “mindful” teaching strategy in your training programs can promote more effective learning, foster pro-conservation attitudes, and strengthen relationships with your customers. You will gain practical techniques, explore free resources, and review the latest psychological research supporting this emerging trend in education.

12–12:50pm // Brian Carney & Leaders of other Training Agencies

Open Discussion: How Standards are designed and developed in the RSTC / ISO.

This seminar offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with leaders from across the dive industry. Join us for an open discussion where agency representatives will address your questions, share perspectives on key topics, and explore ways the industry can continue to improve. Come ready to listen, learn, and contribute to a collaborative conversation that shapes the future of diving.

1–2:50pm // Thomas Powell

SDI Professional Crossover

This crossover session, led by SDI HQ staff, is your chance to start the journey toward becoming part of one of the most innovative leaders in the dive industry. To get the most from this event, complete the online Professional (Crossover) Familiarization Course in advance. Some fees may apply—please contact us for details.

3–3:50pm // Viviana Marcy

How to make the most out of the SDI Website: Student Management

Learn how to take full advantage of the tools already at your fingertips. In this seminar, we’ll show you how to master your student roster, access and process digital waivers and medical forms, and keep all your student data organized in one easy-to-use system. You use the website every day, but are you making the most of it? Join us as we share tips, tricks, and insider strategies to help you streamline your workflow and get the best results from the features available to you.

4–5:50pm // SDI Instructor Trainer/Course Director Update

IT / CD Update

We’ve been busy adding new products, translating materials, and updating our standards—and we’re excited to share these developments with you. This seminar also offers a guided look at the new features and services on our website, along with valuable time to connect with the SDI, TDI, and ERDI community. Meet our team, catch up with fellow members, and enjoy the chance to learn, share, and strengthen the bonds that make our organization unique. More than just an update, this session is about growing together as a professional family.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13

8–9:30am // Cris Merz & Jesse Iacono

Dealer’s Breakfast

Join us for breakfast! We invite you to join us for breakfast and meet our family. This breakfast is open to existing, new, and prospective dealers.

10–10:50am // Sean Harrison, Brian Carney and Steph Miele

Myths, Mysteries, and Mishaps: The Family Story

Join us for a lighthearted and entertaining session as Sean and Brian share stories from our journey—complete with myths, mysteries, and the occasional mishap. With Steph on hand to keep the record straight (and the “big fish” stories under control), this seminar promises laughter, insight, and a behind-the-scenes look at the people and moments that shaped our family.

11–12:50pm // Mark Powell

Member’s Update. What’s new at SDI, TDI, ERDI and PFI

1–2:50pm // Sean Harrison & Thomas Powell

SDI Professional Crossover

Join the SDI family by crossing over at DEMA. While SDI, TDI, ERDI and PFI bring decades of experience training divers at every level, we also offer a refreshing approach through our modern standards and innovative training materials. If you’re satisfied with your current agency, we applaud your success—but if you’re looking for something new, we invite you to discover the opportunity to train divers across recreational, technical, and public safety disciplines under one agency. This crossover session, led by SDI HQ staff, is your chance to start the journey toward becoming part of one of the most innovative leaders in the dive industry. To get the most from this event, complete the online Crossover Familiarization Course in advance. Some fees may apply—please contact us for details.

3–3:50pm // Kirk Krack

Marine Science Fiction into Marine Science Reality:
Update on how DEEP is changing 21st century exploration:

Kirk Krack of DEEP Research Inc has provided updates on where their objective to build and place subsea habitats around the world has progressed, and this year provides the most exciting update with the launch of their Vanguard habitat this November. Looking to redefine marine exploration by developing 21stCentury subsea habitats and the supporting technologies to make this happen, Kirk takes you through the history of underwater habitats and the parallel developing scientific saturation diving technology with an update on the DEEP Saturation Training Facility. Mesophotic zone coral and bottom trawling restoration, bioprospecting, critical infrastructure monitoring and maintenance along with a host of other scientific opportunities are where ‘keeping the human in the loop’ is at the heart of DEEP’s core mission.

4–4:50pm // Jesse Iacono

How to make the most out of the SDI Website eLearning Management

You use the website all the time, but are you familiar with all the features that can make your life easier? In this seminar, we’ll walk you through practical tips and tricks to streamline your workflow and maximize results. Learn how to master your student roster, access and process digital waivers and medical forms, and keep all your student data organized in one easy-to-use system. Discover how to bundle eLearning codes, save time during registration, increase your profits by 10%, and track your students’ progress from start to certification. Whether you’re new to the system or a daily user, you’ll walk away with strategies to work smarter, not harder.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14

10–10:50am // Alan Cale

How to make the most out of the SDI Website Facility Reporting

You use the website every day, but are you taking full advantage of everything it offers? In this seminar, we’ll guide you through tips and tricks to make your work easier and more efficient. Learn how to navigate and use the features available to you, and see how to find, read, and apply your SDI reports to make smarter business decisions and unlock new marketing opportunities. Walk away with practical strategies to streamline operations and grow your business.

11–11:50am // Cathryn Castle Garcia

How to Turn E-mail into Marketing Gold

Join marketing expert Cathryn Castle Garcia for an engaging seminar on how email marketing can transform your dive business. Learn practical strategies to grow your client base, increase engagement, and drive profits using targeted, effective email campaigns. Whether you’re new to email marketing or looking to refine your approach, Cathryn will provide actionable tips and insights that you can start applying immediately.

12:00pm //

Chapman’s CPR course

Join the Chapman School of Seamanship and SDI for a free CPR course. Whether you have been certified before or you’re looking to become certified for the first time, register at the link below to secure your spot in the course.