Belize Showcased in Las Vegas


--Belize City, Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - Belize was represented by several private sector partners at the 28th annual Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) Show 2005 from October 4th to October 7th, 2005 in Las Vegas, NV.
The Diving Equipment & Marketing Association is a non-profit membership-based association created to help businesses in the Scuba Diving and Action Water Sports industries. DEMA works directly with local associations of dive operators. DEMA also has involvement with Marine Life Protection Areas and other critical legislative considerations.

The DEMA Show is the only international trade event for the diving, action water sports and adventure travel industries. With over 1,000 member businesses worldwide, including over 350 retailers from around the US, DEMA serves a variety of operations. The DEMA Show is the only event for dive, adventure travel and action water sports professionals where you can see over 600 exhibits, learn from dozens of DEMA, Exhibitor and Training Agency-sponsored seminars and connect with over 10,000 industry colleagues from around the world.
On Wednesday, October 5th, Belize was presented with two Editor's Choice Awards from Scuba Diving Magazine at the DEMA Show 2005. The areas of Award were "New Surface Interval - Cave Tubing in Belize" and "New Marine Park Development - Gladden Spit Marine Reserve." The Editor's Choice Award is the first of its kind and is expected to be an annual event.

"We continue to assertively market Belize at shows that present greater opportunities for exposure with our target market," comments Director of Tourism, Tracy Taegar Panton. "As an active member of DEMA, the Belize Tourism Board encourages its stakeholders to take on these opportunities to strengthen our awareness and bring Belize to the forefront."

Participating establishments included the Belize Tourism Board, Hamanasi Dive and Jungle, Ramon's Village, Ambergris Divers, Placencia Resort, Tropic Air, Turneffe Flats, Subreeze Hotel, Mayan Princess, The Inn at Robert's Grove, Hugh Parkley's Dive Connection, Exotic Caye Beach Resort, Belizean Dreams, Aquamarina Suites/Aqua Dives and Isla Marisol.