As a Phoenix area diver, your "dive show" options are fairly limited and usually require travel. While it may seem absurd to travel just for a dive show, you have to look at the value packed itineraries and incredible display of vendors that coincide with these events. In many cases, these venues are the highlight of people's dive season. And, traveling to Chicago in the middle of February may seem a bit crazy, but wait until you see what they have planned!
Our World Underwater 2013 is scheduled between February 15 through February 17. Known as a "key show" for Scuba industry manufacturers, the halls of Our World Underwater will be packed with displays, Scuba equipment and industry veterans keen on educating divers on the latest and greatest they have to offer. Divers from all around the region, and many from outside the Chicago area will be flowing through the aisles with eyes like little children on Christmas morning. Local Phoenix diver, Mark Moran, attended Our World Underwater in 2012 and said, "the electricity at the show was amazing". Moran continued, "throngs of divers walked up and down the aisles and even in the middle of winter, in the middle of the United States, you felt like you were in the water."
The exhibition is held at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center, just minutes from O'Hara Airport. Most divers coming from outside the Chicago area will stay at the host hotel - The Hyatt Regency O'Hare, which Our World Underwater has negotiated rates for its attendees.
The weekend starts off on Friday morning with "in-depth" workshops that tend to be suited for dive professionals and individuals looking to "go deeper" with their knowledge of diving world and industry. The Exhibition Hall, which hosts all the trade show booths and displays, opens promptly at 5pm, for all the eagerly waiting Scuba enthusiasts. At the end of the first day, show attendees can relax with the ever-popular Scuba film festival which lasts until 10pm. Truly a day of excitement in diving.
Saturday tends to be the busiest day of the weekend long event. And, with the Exhibition hall open from 9am to 6pm, there would seem to be enough time to see every Scuba vendor at the show. If you are looking for a break to relax the feet, throughout the day presentations, seminars and workshops are hosted by vendors and guest speakers. Visitors to the show will have the opportunity to listen to industry insiders like Stan Waterman, Jill Heinerth, Robert Marx, and Dan Orr. Saturday evening includes a fun "Presenter Meet and Greet" and the finale of the Film Festival. Don't forget to find some time and eat!
Sunday winds down at 4pm and is packed full of seminars and workshops. This is the opportunity to hit those vendors that have been on your list all weekend. Whether you are looking to shoot pictures like a pro or try your chance at winning a free dive vacation, Our World Underwater offers a great opportunity all weekend long.
As a Phoenix based Scuba diver, we have the opportunity to travel throughout the world and play in the world's oceans. With shows like Our World Underwater helping educate Scuba divers, it only makes diving safer and more fun. Think about Chicago in February and jump into our world ... underwater.
For more information, go to http://www.ourworldunderwater.com/
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