Having spent a considerable portion of my life either organising, or helping to organise, dive-related events and activities, I was, until recently, rather proud to have had a hand in the development and growth of both the ADEX and the OZTeK Shows; two ‘chalk-and-cheese’ markedly different events. Each of which, back in the past, broke new ground in terms of their respective areas of diving interest.
And while I readily accept that everything has its day, I’m nevertheless saddened to see an attempt to move these two distinctly different events into one combined show. A move that, I suspect, will ultimately prove detrimental to both. And lead to the demise of one.
An event started in 1999 by Richard Taylor – one that’s been copied but that has still never been equaled – the OZTeK phenomenon proved, time and time again, that a focused diving event based on a quality audience is a preferable alternative to one claiming that quantity is the sole measure of success.
And while total unqualified audience numbers through the door may be a valid measure of success for dive shows in more populated areas of the world, it’s not applicable to a sparsely populated continent like Australia.
(Which is not to suggest that there’s no place for a broad-based Australian dive event. It’s rather more to do with the fact that a focused dive event – such as OZTeK once was – delivers a more economically viable marketplace for exhibitors and the diving public.)
Certainly, the regard in which OZTeK was held seemed to establish that point based on unsolicited comments received following just four of the earlier events:
WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT ….
OZTeK’11
Fantastic event, well done to you and your team for flawlessly executing a large and varied programme.
Just wanted to let you know that I thought this year’s conference was the best to date. I really enjoyed the presentations and the presenters’ candid discussions. There were a good variety of topics and the larger rooms certainly made it a comfortable experience.
The short and sharp presentations on the Explorers’ Club evening were great and hit the mark.
Congratulations on yet another great Oztek! I had a great time, catching up with friends, seeing some new gear, and hearing some wonderful speakers…
Thanks for an incredible weekend, way above my expectations. Gorgeous venue, professional, no-drama organization, positive, energizing industry snapshot, inspirational diving experts attracting an appreciative public … and kickass fun. When is the next one?
The event was …..as usual…… AWESOME
May I congratulate you on a highly successful event. The atmosphere wasbuzzing the whole weekend and everyone seemed to be friendly and interactive.
What a wonderful OZTek. Had a ball
Once AGAIN you and your team have blown our socks off! It was just the BEST
The speakers were top notch.
Your show has a very different feeling from a lot of other dive trade/consumer shows I have attended. Keep up the great work.
Biggest and Best OzTek ever, I just can’t get over how busy this year was to previous years.
I’d like to pass on a big ‘Thank you’ to the Event Organiser for putting on another world class dive exhibition.
Many thanks for a great OZTeK, it was as usual fantastic and we are already looking forward to the next one.
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OZTeK’09
One of the finest organized diving events I have ever attended.
In my professional life, I have the opportunity to participate in and attend conferences in a range of subjects in USA, Europe UK Asia China and here. OZTek was genuinely of world standard in pretty much every way. The speakers were better than all other conferences I have attended and the venue was great.
What an amazing event. …. We were amazed at such a result – far exceeding our expectations. …
Your hard work was evident in the way the stands were organised, along with three and four presentations running simultaneously; all without a hitch. (Or if there were, they were not evident.)
I sit through a pile of medical conferences all over the world, and was very impressed by the professional approach of OZTeK.
The trade shows, presentations and dinner were first class and highly appreciated by everyone I have spoken to. I must admit that with the current financial issues, I thought that attendance would be down, however this seems to not be the case.
It was everything and more than we expected. We brought over a small group from Perth and we hope to bring a much bigger group next time.
Again you deliver a globally respected event.
It was, in my opinion, the best OZTeK to date and a sterling reflection on the diversity and success of the diving industry … I would personally like to thank you for everything you have done to make this show such a resoundingly positive focal point for diving in Australia and for the high regard it has given the Australian Dive Community in the Global arena.
Thanks to you for organising such a grand event followed by an even grander gala dinner. I enjoyed the show immensely & had a fantastic time at the gala dinner.
I just wanted to say fantastically well done for OzTek – it was awesome and far exceeded my expectations. People are still buzzing!!
It was a roaring success and I can’t wait until the next one!
After spending the day at Oztek today, I have to say, in my humble opinion, it’s the best yet!
… Great Seminars, Speakers, big-screen footage and Stalls catering to proof that Diving is in a Golden Era since at least 1990.
This would rate as one of the best shows I have been to in terms of exhibitors, attendance and certainly the quality of speakers.
I was overwhelmed by the amount of divers coming in, for the two days. I was not able to get away from the stand for more than a couple of minutes.
Again another quality event which people globally will be talking about for ages to come.
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OZTeK’07
Without doubt the best show that I speak at is the OZTeK Conference in Sydney … a world leader in such conferences. – Leigh Bishop.
Few shows in the world can pack a punch quite like Australia’s OZTeK.
Superb show, superb speakers, superb gala dinner, great mates, awesome atmosphere and impeccably done. Again, Congratulations. I was proud to be associated with such an event.
… another exceptional OZTek – this is what dive shows should be like. It was a fabulous weekend, with great friends, old and new.
Events like OZTek are important to help keeping the industry moving forward.
OZTEK is looked upon as something very special and the place to be and rub shoulders and share adventures with other divers around the world. This is now the best conference for diving on earth and the only one of its kind.
In a word … awesome!
There was an amazing level of information being presented, from the good old chats about looking for things while diving, through very competent and thorough presentations of various rebreathers, to detailed lectures on dive physiology/oxygen, plus lots of toys to drool over! Bring on the next one!”
What an effort! Smooth, seamless running, great speakers, interesting exhibition and a great opportunity to catch up with anyone and everyone. Anyone who missed it, my sincere condolences.
Great effort guys! Excellent speakers & presentations and lots to look at and add to the wish list. A very enjoyable two days.
A great two days of listening, watching, learning and catching up. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one that came away with a longer list of places to go and diving to be done.
The only problem with Oztek is there are simply too many people and talks to keep up with!
Congrats guys on another great event.
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OZTeK4 (2005)
… this dive show is the most professionally organized in every way that I have been involved with. And that is quite a few.
OZTeK4 was sensational. On which note I want to make a public note of thanks to the organisers for putting together an outstanding show, especially the speaker programme. More than once I was torn as to which one to go to and that’s a sign of a quality speaker list.
… a fantastic Oztek 4. Congratulations on a wonderful event, two days is never enough time, please remember for the next Oztek, I will happily support you in your endeavours … Bravo once again for a fantastic effort.
Best dive show I have been to in a long time.
I thought the show was the best that we have had in years.
A great show packed with great speakers and tons of value. Well done. Sincere thanks for all your efforts and time expended.
I was very impressed. Highlights: Just meeting lots of very interesting people. I got something out of every presentation that I went to. Several of those may even save my life.
Not only was it a well-presented show but it was one of the busiest that I’ve done to date. … As an exhibitor I can definitely say that I’m in for 2007. Thanks again for the greatest Tech Show on earth.
This show is truly the only one of its kind and the best in the world. Your efforts and energy in making it happen and grow is amazing.
Well done to all involved… superb. I found the lectures inspiring and interesting, particularly the medical ones. Fantastic.
What an excellent weekend. It certainly opened my eyes a lot about the sort of diving that I am just starting to get into.
All I can say is anyone who didn’t attend missed out on one of the best dive shows in existence.
What a bloody great show. I was just commenting to a mate of mine how great it feels to be surrounded by fanatics! The weekend just made me want to get out as soon as possible and get into the water.
Just about everyone is talking about the tremendously successful OZTEK show, The Australasian Diving Technologies Conference. … if Sydney is anything to go by these shows are going to be to the new millennium what the Aquacorps shows were to the 90’s.
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I was rather proud to have had a hand in organising those and later events. And readily accept that everything has its day. In that regard, I’m saddened to see a formerly globally-respected event enter into such a rapid decline and finally succumb to ‘power-politics’. Or, as the poet, T.S. Eliot said, ‘This is the way the world ends. Not with a ‘bang’, but a whimper.’
And, I’m still struggling to come to terms with mermaids.
—ENDS—
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