The Birmingham Dive Show has been a favorite with Britain’s divers since 1991, and if you’ve had the good fortune to attend this event in the past, you know that you’ll have no trouble finding everything under the sun (and sea!) there. Let’s take a peek.
Location
The 2014 Birmingham Dive Show will take place at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Highly regarded as the UK’s “most exciting venue,” the Birmingham NEC is conveniently located just 8 miles east of the city center. It offers abundant parking, and is located right next door to the train station. Bus and Coach services are available, as are taxis.
Dates
This year’s dive show takes place over the weekend of Saturday, October 25th and Sunday, October 26th. Doors open at 9:30 am each day.
Birmingham Dive Show Highlights
DIVE 2014 features a number of in-hall features as well as outstanding speaker presentations and exhibitor seminars. TV presenters Andy Torbet and Monty Halls will be on hand, as will technical instructor Mark Powell and Australian Great White shark deep cage-diving specialist Andrew Fox. Underwater forensics experts Laura Walton-Williams and Claire Gwinnett will be on hand, as will South Africa’s Patrick Voorma, who is credited with discovering numerous historic wrecks.
Special features will include the ever-popular try-dive pool, along with a photo zone and a technical pool. A 3D freediving simulator will be available, and of course you’ll have the opportunity to check out all the latest in scuba kit at the new products showcase. The travel areas add to the excitement and provide inspiration for scuba-based holidays.
If you’ve always wanted to try rebreather diving, you’ll have the opportunity to do so, and training opportunities from organizations including BSAC, SSI, and PADI will be available. Brush up on your underwater photography skills at the Photozone, where you’ll enjoy presentations by top photographers and videographers. One-on-one advice will also be available, and of course, you’ll be able to view images from the annual Prints Competition. Diving presentations will be held at Centre Stage as well as in two Ocean Theatres and the main Diver Stage.
Travel partners such as Aqaba Tourism, Aggressor and Dancer Fleets, and Secret Paradise Maldives will be on hand, along with numerous others. A number of conservation organizations will be present; these include Sea Shepherd UK, Marine Conservation Society, The Shark Trust, and Manta Trust.
In addition to travel partners, the DIVE 2014 show highlights offerings from some of the world’s best scuba gear manufacturers and retailers. AquaLung UK, Fourth Element, Scubapro UK, and TUSA are just a few of the companies that will be on hand with new scuba toys and great dive gear to show off.
Lodging is readily available for visitors. Expotel has been booked as the official hotel agent of DIVE 2014, and have a wide selection of discounted hotel rooms available. If you plan to travel to Birmingham for this event and require accommodations, be sure to make your reservation well in advance as demand is typically high.