The Dive News Network Media Group invites divers and watersports enthusiasts from all over the Northwest for the 5th Annual Dive & Travel Expo to Tacoma, WA to converge on the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center held April 21-22, 2012. Bigger, better and wetter than ever, divers will have an expanded photography contest, larger show floor with over 325 show floor booths,  more than 50 free “How To” seminars to enlighten the avid diver, watersports enthusiast, traveller, nature enthusiast, et al. The theme of this year’s event is to ”Take it to the next level” by showcasing the dive industry’s top manufacturers, shops, clubs, photographers, videographers and leaders in marine and environmental awareness.

The annual event focuses on providing the recreational scuba diver an overall picture of the dive industry captured in one weekend. This event offers everything from meeting local dive shop owners, dive resort owners from around the globe and the top dive equipment manufacturers themselves. It provides attendees the opportunity to try new products and provide their feedback to the company staff making these products – improving them for next year’s product lines. Attendees can “Try Scuba Free” in the indoor pool with knowledgeable and expert instruction provided by the volunteer dive instructors.

The dive extravaganza will host more than 50 free seminars featuring simple, practical “how to” advice on a variety of topics ranging from underwater photography to first aid sponsored by DAN. Guests will also have a chance to update their diving skills and discover certification options increasing their knowledge base. Additionally, attendees can learn what organizations are doing to rehabilitate Puget Sound and how you can get involved.

This year the Dive Expo is supporting Pacific Northwest dive charity – Dive for a Cure, a breast cancer awareness fund-raising effort lead by Eugene Skin Divers. All the proceeds from this year’s T-shirt sales will be donated to Dive for a Cure.  According to DNN Media Event Director, Rick Stratton, the partnership is a perfect win-win-win.  “The Dive for a Cure is a great fund-raising event that not only promotes diving but helps the fight against breast cancer thru education and awareness.  Explorer Ventures, a fleet of dedicated dive liveaboard vessels around the world (www.explorerventures.com ), graciously sponsored the production and purchase of all the T-shirts to be sold at the show.  Explorer Ventures features the Galapagos Islands as a destination. Ron Steven (aka – the artist Rogest) created the painting of the Blue Footed Boobie Bird of the Galapagos Islands for the back of our PINK shirts. With the caption “We Love Boobies” supporting Dive for a Cure, our Sponsor Explorer Ventures donating the purchase of these shirts and raising money for the fight – the T-shirts are going to be awesome!!

Additionally, Northwest Dive & Travel Expo is partnering with the Hotel Murano, the Expo’s host hotel, located across the street from the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center for an unbeatable package deal! According to event coordinator, Rick Stratton, the premise for the partnership is about providing added value to the attendees of the show.  “We are offering free admission to the dive show to every guest (four free passes per day /per room/per night). That is a value of $20 per dive show pass, up to $80 for four people – a terrific discount and great reason to stay at the “host” Hotel. The Murano is a magnificent hotel and perfectly located next door to the Convention Center and downtown restaurants. The hotel management has stepped forth and offered our exhibitors and dive show guests a great rate on rooms for the divers who will be travelling from out of town.  They are offering rooms at an incredible value of $139 per night for luxury accommodations.” 

“This is the very first partnership of its kind and we are really excited about it,” Stratton says.  As part of the free admission package the hotel guests will also have the opportunity to try Scuba Diving as part of the Expo experience. “We are offering a FREE Try Scuba experience to every hotel guest at the Murano (319 rooms). Often these programs sell for $25-$50 depending on the store and instructor.” Stratton further explains. “It should be a lot of fun and an incredible opportunity offered free to hotel guests who otherwise may never experience scuba. Combining the “Try Scuba” experience and a Dive Expo across the street from the Hotel Murano, and we have a whole new way to grow the sport!”

“We want to invite everyone headed to the dive expo to take advantage of this amazing opportunity with the Murano,” says Stratton. “A good value and a lot of fun…what more can you ask for?”

For more info on the Expo or to book your hotel package with free passes, go to www.diveandtravelexpo.com.