Nominations for DEMA's 2008 Reaching Out Awards

DEMA is now accepting nominations for its prestigious Reaching Out Award through May 23, 2008. The Reaching Out Award is intended to recognize those individuals who have made significant contributions to the diving community by aiding in the development, promotion, and safety of the sport and "reaching out" to bring diving to people throughout the world. In a year when DEMA programs benefiting members has reached new heights with the launch of the Be A Diver promotional campaign, the 2008 Reaching Out Award takes on special significance as a platform to recognize those individuals who've helped attract new people to the world of diving.

The process for selection of the ROA winners provides those nominating with the opportunity to detail the efforts their nominees have made toward reaching out to grow the industry. The DEMA Board of Directors reviews the applications of those nominated and selects based on a procedure and criteria that has been developed by DEMA Board Committees over several years. Past nominees may also be considered by submitting updated nomination information. This year's ROA recipients will be announced in late summer 2008. The presentation of the Awards will take place at the DEMA Awards Party on October 24, 2008, during DEMA Show 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

First presented in 1989, the ROA recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the diving community in areas such as photography, training, equipment design, water safety, publishing, travel, retailing, exploration, science and other appropriate areas. All past recipients have been pioneers in their own right, improving the sport for everyone and helping to make diving what it is today.

More than just recognition of these individual achievements, the ROA has become the diving industry's Hall of Fame. To become a member of DEMA's Hall of Fame is an extraordinary achievement available only to those who truly deserve to be praised for their outstanding efforts and contribution to the sport of scuba diving. Past recipients of the ROA include Jacques-Yves Cousteau (1989), Scott Carpenter (1993), Clive Cussler (1999), Bob Hollis (2000), Dr. Drew Richardson (2004), Paul Humann (2006), and most recently David Doubilet and Bob Soto (2007).

To nominate yourself or someone who has made a significant contribution to our industry, visit www.dema.org and select Reaching Out Awards from the Programs drop-down menu, or visit http://www.dema.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=369. This page contains detailed information on the ROA including a downloadable nomination form, applicant criteria and a complete list of past ROA recipients.