21 Reasons why you need to be at the Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) 2016
ADEX, the largest and longest-running dive expo in Asia is celebrating its 21st birthday in 2016. From confirmed “diveaholics” to scuba babies, the must-attend event is aimed for everyone in, or interested in, the dive industry. Last year, ADEX 2015 attracted over 41,000 visitors across the three days, and with a crowd that continues to grow year by year, it’s a weekend you’ll need to leave free on your calendar.
Why? Here’s why:
1. CELEBRATE SUPERB SEAHORSES
Every year the show is dedicated to a species of marine life, and ADEX 2016 will see the majestic seahorse take the podium. All aspects of this fantastic species, from its conservation status to its habits, will be promoted to educate the public about the current threats and issues seahorses face and how we can help to safeguard their future.
2. DISCOVER A WHOLE NEW WORLD!
You don’t have to be a diver to enjoy ADEX. In fact, by coming to the show as a non-diver you’ll have the chance to experience what many longtime divers can’t – that first rush of love and excitement as you discover a whole new world of wonder beneath the waves. Learn about the incredible environment that covers more than 70% of our planet, the threats it faces, and what you can do to help save it. You can also sign up for a scuba course for free and get the price of your entrance ticket refunded.
3. GET BIZZY WITH IT!
Along with the opening ceremony celebrations, we’ll also be officially introducing our brand new B2B publication Scuba360, which is designed to help grow the industry we know and love. We will be celebrating the launch of Scuba360 with a print version of this invaluable guide to doing scuba business in the region covering seven related areas: Marine conservation, Sustainable marine tourism, Branding & marketing in Asia Pacific, Scuba gear, Underwater photo & video equipment, Dive training and careers and Dive safety.
4. HOB NOB WITH THE LEADERS OF THE INDUSTRY
A new and exciting series of conferences, panel discussions and presentations involving the key players in the scubaverse, the Scuba360 Business Forum will be the place to get the inside track on the dive industry. If you’re a new business, or you’re looking to expand your operation, if you’re a dive instructor who wants to take your career to the next level, if you manage a liveaboard and are interested in dive safety and insurance, or if you’re with an NGO looking to link with tourism, you want to be part of this new business forum.
Speakers and discussions will centre on seven areas: marine conservation, sustainable marine tourism, branding and marketing in Asia Pacific, scuba gear, underwater photography and video equipment, dive training and careers, and dive safety.
5. GET YOUR FREE COPY OF THE BIG BLUE BOOK
Exclusively free for ADEX 2016 attendants, “The Big Blue Book” is the official ADEX edition of Asian Diver! It’s the ultimate reference guide, giving you insights into everything you could possibly need to know about seahorses. This collector’s edition issue features premium photographs, exciting infographics and scientific overviews. It’s also your must-keep show guide to ADEX, telling you who’s on, what’s happening, and helping you figure out where you need to be and what you need to see!
6. HAVE YOUR MIND BLOWN AND GET EDUCATED
Don’t miss ADEX 2016’s incredible line-up of speakers, including world-renowned underwater filmmakers, photographers, conservationists and tek divers. These extraordinary personalities will be presenting their work and experiences on a range of topics from photography to freediving. This is shaping up to be one of our best events yet.
Please visit www.adex.asia for the full list of speakers.
7. HELP LAUNCH SINGAPORE’S FIRST MARINE PARK!
Don’t miss the Official Opening of the best dive show in the world! The Opening Ceremony will take place at 3pm on April 15, 2016 and will feature esteemed guests and speakers, including members of the celebrated Blue-Green Alliance, we will be toasting the opening of Singapore’s First Marine Park.
8. MARVEL AT THE STUNNING SINGAPORE PAVILION
ADEX 2016 will be joining in the celebration of the launch of Singapore’s First Marine Park, which is organised by Singapore National Parks Board (NParks) and in association with the Blue-Green Alliance. The Singapore Pavilion will be the focal point for three days of exciting discovery, education and awareness about the conservation of marine life in Singapore.
9. INDULGE YOUR CREATIVE SIDE
The Voice of the Ocean Photo/Video/Art Competition is back again. Celebrating all visual representations of the ocean and its many creatures, the categories for 2016 are:
• Artwork of the Year (Seahorses)
• Video of the Year
• Photo of the Year
• Macro Photo of the Year (Seahorses) *NEW
• Underwater Fashion of the Year *NEW
• Compact Camera Photo of the Year *NEW
With great prizes and the chance to display your work in front of a celebrated panel of judges including Alex Mustard, Eunjae Im, Ivad Suleyman, Lynn Funkhouser, Matthew Smith, Pasquale Vassallo and Tim Ho, you need to get submitting!
10. GET YOUR TEK ON!
Now in its fifth year, the hugely successful TekDive Conference will be held over April 16–17, 2016. With divers constantly seeking to go further, deeper and linger longer, technical diving is one of the fastest building currents sweeping the industry. Attendants will be learning from the best with tek gurus including the likes of Alex Santos, Dharshana Jayawardena, Edd Stockdale, Jill Heinerth and many more!
As if that wasn’t reason enough, David Strike, recipient of the ADEX Lifetime Achievement Award for Contributions to Technical Diving, a Fellow of the Explorers Club of New York, and co-organiser of the biennial OZTeK Technical Diving Conference, will be the conference moderator!
Please visit www.adex.asia for the full list of speakers.
11. BRING OUT YOUR INNER BOOKWORM
To celebrate Ocean Voices, visitors can get their hands on the latest books from renowned writers and underwater photographers around the world, at the ADEX 2016 Book Festival. Speakers will be giving in-depth insights on their work at the Main Stage over the three days, with a book signing session after each of their presentations.
12. MASTER YOUR CAMERA
Photographers looking to sharpen their skills can sign up for the brand new Underwater Photography Workshop. Learn from some of the best underwater shooters in the world as they share tips and tricks on creating the most compelling images.
13. SEE THE BIG BLUE ON THE SILVER SCREEN
Bring out the popcorn and indulge yourself in a world of underwater movies and documentaries at the ADEX Film Festival 2016! With a plethora of motion pictures screening over the three days, you will be sure to catch some of the best productions in ocean conservation, education and inspiration!
14. INSPIRING INDIVIDUALS AND GLAMOROUS PERSONALITIES
From our celebrated ADEX Ambassadors to our talented Ocean Artists, ADEX showcases and promotes some of the most passionate and committed people; individuals who are out there every day studying marine life, crusading for marine conservation, and revealing the beauty of our seas.
15. FREEDIVE WITH THE WORLD’S BEST
With three of the world’s most celebrated freedivers conducting workshops at ADEX 2016, Christian Redl and Dada Li, participants will get a unique opportunity to get world-class coaching and insights into the world of freediving.
16. MEET THE MERMAIDS
Once again, we bring the legend of the mermaid to life! Visitors can get to see the real-life creatures as they swim and perform in the ADEX dive tank. Kids can also catch their favourite mermaids for photos at the ADEX Pool!
17. KEEP THE KIDS HAPPY!
With programmes, competitions, and arts and crafts with our Ocean Artists, the ADEX Actvitiy Zone is the ideal place for kids. Children can learn about conservation projects and join in as we celebrate the ocean, with games, conservation talks, and much more.
18. YOU’LL PROBABLY GET IN FOR FREE!
Lots of people do! ADEX has free entry for:
• Everyone under 16 years old
• All students (photo ID required)
• Anyone born in 1995 (the year ADEX was founded)
• People with special needs
• All Navy personnel
• Anyone with a real seahorse tattoo
• People wearing wetsuits
• People wearing ADEX 2016 official T-shirts
So if you qualify, come on down for the best free weekend in Asia!
19. FISHY FASHION
Our official T-shirts literally fly off the shelves; don one and be part of the dive tribe. And if you are wearing one of them, it’s another way to get into the show for free. Add that to number 18!
20. TRY SCUBA DIVING FOR FREE!
Children above nine years old can get to experience diving for the first time under the close supervision of professional diving instructors at the ADEX pool, while adults can try-dive at the ADEX dive tank.
21. USE THE NIFTY ADEX APP!
A magical portal to a wonderland of information and prizes! The ADEX app lets you enter the daily lucky draws, find out who is speaking when, which exhibitors are offering what unmissable deals and coupons and where to find them, and it unlocks the multimedia AR content embedded in Asian Diver and
Scuba Diver AUSTRALASIA + OCEAN PLANET magazines!
For full schedule listings and updates, please visit www.adex.asia.