Northwest Dive Club

We were unable to make the revamped Dive Expo in Seattle this year. Any feedback on how it went, attendance, exhibitors, etc? We are working on putting on an underwater photo/video event at Town Hall in October called Salish Sea Celebration, so any comments might help us. I see very few comments so far.

Thanks!

It went badly because of the location. It was smaller than last year and attendance was way down. For me putting an event in Seattle is just plain bad because of the crowding and lack of parking. I for one will not attend any event in Seattle. It is just not worth the hassle.

The promotion for it was pretty much nonexistent. They didn't even bother to throw up a Facebook page for it, which is free and takes about 5 minutes, let alone any paid advertising that I'm aware of. We probably would have given them a free ad on this site if they'd asked nicely.

I'd like to see some actual attendance numbers. From where I sat (all day, both days) I'd say the first day was pretty good and much better than in Tacoma the previous year. Sunday was dead on our side, but the middle aisles were usually crowded.
Parking wasn't an issue, as all the spaces for cruise ship passengers were available.

I was underwhelmed. I went there to talk with Divetech (wasnt there), to talk with Sea Dragon (wasnt there), only thing noteable were the Shearwater NERDS (Daddy wants!), and a prototpye scooter at another booth. Oh, the go pro housing was pretty trick, but big dinero.

Parking and the shuttle were a piece of cake.

Joshua Smith wrote:The promotion for it was pretty much nonexistent. They didn't even bother to throw up a Facebook page for it, which is free and takes about 5 minutes, let alone any paid advertising that I'm aware of. We probably would have given them a free ad on this site if they'd asked nicely.

The irony was that they DID have a page (https://www.facebook.com/ScubaH2Oshow?ref=ts&fref=ts) but at various times I found their own website, and links, were iffy. I wasn't able to attend. I know some were bummed there was no treasure hunt dive.

It was difficult to find their information when you knew the dates. I didn't attend and will have to be honest here, if you can't get a reliable word out, then it indicates to me that it isn't worth the drive. If it was close I would have stopped by, but since it was a drive and it wasn't advertised well, I was a little worried about the turn out.

My brother (Alexitt) and I went on Saturday. The location was nice for him as an Everett resident, "Meh" for me coming from Gig Harbor. Obviously I would like Tacoma better, but oh well... Parking was $10 but easy with plenty of shuttle service back & forth. There were definitely fewer vendors there, but the mix was nicer IMO. A couple of outfits that do rafting and kayaking as well as the dive stuff. Only limited food but the beer was just fine

All in all, we thought it was not bad, for a first trial at a new location with a new/expanded goal that includes the surface sports too. I'd love to get actual kayak demo time, if they can find a location that can accomodate that then maybe the treasure hunt could be done too, for those who want it.

Jim