MIDE 2009

Malaysia International Dive Expo keeps expanding. The 2009 edition saw a strong and lively attendance. Reviewing dive shows has never come easy to me. Such a big part of the experience is about being there and capturing the ambience and dynamics without just rubbing it in that you missed the party has always been quite a challenge. But this is the rare pleasant exception from the rule.

MIDE is one of the young and rising dive expos on the planet, and the way things have been going lately, it is becoming one of the biggest, dive expos in region. Certainly, it is already a force to be reckoned with. As an international exhibitor who, as one of the very few media doing so, tour the United States, Europe and Asia dive expos, we call tell the difference. This is where we have to go to find the new dynamics in the field. It is encouraging to witness the youthfulness and enthusiasm o f the local dive community and see how new markets are developing before our very eyes. I am only half-heartedly sorry to acknowledge that by comparison they make the US expos stand out like grumpy retires.

But mostly, I feel encouraged by taking part and hope that the rest of world will watch and learn. I have to hand it to the organizer for the manner in which they have somehow managed to draw in the general public whole families at a time and especially for giving so much attention to the children. The kids were captivated and an enthusiastic audience. MIDE isn’t a show where new innovations get presented first – that role still falls almost exclusively to DEMA in the United States – nor can it boast having a stellar range of speakers. But more presentations will be added next year and admission is still free. I think the show is vastly under-appreciated by the international diving community, in particular the big brands and manufacturers who seem to be missing out on a very opportune moment to get a foot in the door.

As far as we are concerned, we have already booked our space for next year where the show is projected to grow well past 200 exhibitors.