The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) is pleased to announce that dive industry icons Clement Lee and Marty Snyderman are the recipients of the 20th Annual DEMA Reaching Out Awards (ROA). Given in recognition of their significant contributions to the sport of scuba diving, the Awards will be presented on October 24, 2008 at the DEMA Awards Party in affiliation with DEMA Show 2008.
CLEMENT LEE
A true leader in the development of diving in Southeast Asia, Clement Lee is a pioneer in introducing professionalism in recreational diving and the dive tourism industry in Sabah as well as resort management in Sipadan. As Managing Director and a founding partner of Borneo Divers and Sea Sports, in 1989 he was among the first to build a dive resort on the famous Sipadan Island.
With extensive diving experience in Sabah waters, Lee became a dive master in 1985 and later that same year, a PADI Instructor. Six years later in August 1991, Lee became the first ever PADI Course Director in Malaysia. For the past ten years, Lee and Borneo Divers have organized Mabul Marine Day on Mabul Island near Sabah, in conjunction with Sipadan Water Village. Lee actively promotes conservation and environmental protection, is effectively involved in Project AWARE initiatives, the Crown of Thorn Operation and various clean up activities.
Lee is the recipient of numerous awards for his achievements and contributions to the diving industry including: the PIRA Excellence in Dive Resort Operations Award, for Significant Leadership and Innovation in the Dive Resort Community (1994); PADI Outstanding Achievement Award, for 12 Years of Excellence in Dive Retailing & Dive Travel (1996); a Malaysia Tourism Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Tourism Industry (2000); and the United National Environment Program & Project AWARE Foundation Award in Recognition of Outstanding Effort at the Coral Reef Conservation Workshop in 2004.
MARTY SNYDERMAN
An Emmy Award winning cinematographer, Marty Snyderman is a still photographer, film producer, author and speaker specializing in the marine environment. Snyderman’s still photography and writing has been utilized by National Geographic, Skin Diver, Natural History, Dive Training, Sport Diver, Time, Newsweek, Time Life, numerous National Wildlife Federation publications, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, New England Aquarium, Sea World, Seattle Aquarium, and numerous other publications and organizations expressing interest in the marine environment both in the United States and overseas.
Snyderman has been involved in underwater photography for 25 years and continues to produce compelling images of marine life in attempts to raise awareness and interest about many marine issues. To date, he has authored nine books, including California Marine Life, his first book that has just been revised and re-released in cooperation with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Guide to Marine Life of the Caribbean, Bahamas and Florida. His self-produced film, To Be With Sharks (View From The Cage) premiered on the Discovery Channel in July 1994 during Shark Week. A big ratings success, it is the second most widely watched premier in the history of Shark Week.
Snyderman served as the Field Editor for Skin Diver Magazine and was the long time author of the magazine’s “Ask The Pro” column. He is currently the Marine Life Editor for Dive Training and contributes photos and articles monthly to the magazine.
The Reaching Out Awards will be presented at the 2008 DEMA Awards Party, the place to dine, party and network with other industry professionals. The party, taking place on October 24th at 7:30 pm at the Riviera will include cocktails, dinner, live entertainment, prizes and giveaways. Tickets can be purchased online at www.demashow.com.
