Wetpixel is looking for a local correspondent to cover the DRT Show in Hong Kong. Your job will be to represent Wetpixel, taking photos and writing commentary about underwater photography, videography and conservation news at the show. If you’re interested, please contact Eric.

PRESS RELEASE

Hong Kong, June 21, 2010 – One of the largest gatherings for diving enthusiasts, marine conservationists and anyone with a passion for the underwater world will take place next month on July 16-18, 2010 at the Diving, Resort & Travel Expo (“DRT Show”) in the Hong Kong Exhibition Centre (at China Resources Building). The DRT Show is undoubtedly one of the largest and most sought after events focused on diving, water sports, beach resort and travel held in Asia.

Over the three-day Expo, more than 30,000 expected attendees will learn more about the latest diving equipment, water sports equipment, dive resorts, tourism boards and diving organizations brought to them by a lineup of over 141 top-level exhibitors from across 21 countries and cities including Europe, America, South Pacific and Asia.

Conservation on Seahorse
In today’s press conference, the Organizer has invited Mr. Timothy Ng, Deputy Director of Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong (OPCFHK) to share with us their work on seahorse conservation. The seahorse family is under threat due to overfishing for traditional Chinese medicine usage and their natural habitat is damaged by human interference. OPCFHK is supporting the Project Seahorse Foundation in the Philippines to conduct community based project, engaging local fishermen in conservation efforts. OPCFHK also sponsors Hong Kong students to join field work. OPCFHK calls for divers’ support to protect this species. Protect their habitats and respect every single life! Say No to seahorse products.

Celebrity Ambassador to Promote the DRT Show
The Organizer proudly announced the appointment of famous artiste, Ms. Maria Chen, as the Ambassador of the DRT Show. Maria is a diving enthusiast and she will be responsible to promote the DRT Show to the public. She will be sharing her personal diving adventures and travel experiences with the media and guests in the press conference.

Featuring Most Up-to-date, Relevant and Entertaining Diving and Travel Information
The DRT Show will be focused on delivering the latest engaging and entertaining information on diving, resort and travel. Some features of the expo will include:

Diving- the DRT Asia Pacific Diving Summit 2010, a gathering of key industry leaders like the Hong Kong Underwater Association (HKUA), China Underwater Association (CUA), Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), Divers Alert Network (DAN) and many other organizations discussing the development of the dive industry, dive safety and marine conservation practices in Asia Pacific.

There will also be other informative stage presentations covering a wide spectrum of interesting topics including underwater photography by famous underwater photographers, Mr. Rod Klein, Mr. Stephen Wong, Ms. Takako Uno and Mr. David Hsiung; the benefits of diving for the disabled to the recent discovery of the Song Dynasty ship, the Nanhai One.

Resort- an impressive lineup of resorts will be in attendance to offer attendees an inside look into their unique features, including Bastianos, Calypso Diving & Pinjalo Resort, Garden Island Resort, Lotus Hotels, Sipadan Mabul Resort and many many others.

Travel- learn more about the “liveaboard” travel experience, where guests and divers can stay on board the comfort of a vessel and which then allow divers the extra time to travel to more distant and remote dive sites. Famous “liveaboard” brands including Aggressor Fleet, Dive Damai, Seahorse Liveaboard, Sultans of the Seas, etc.

Project Director of LX Development Group Limited said, “We are thrilled to be bringing the first upscale and premiere dive, resort and travel expo to Hong Kong. Hong Kong is undoubtedly the perfect location to host this expo, its vibrancy, status as an international city and within easy access to some of the most amazing dive sites within Asia, this is the epicenter for all diving enthusiasts whether they are a beginner or seasoned professional.”

“The DRT Show is really a unique opportunity for the whole community, as it brings together not only dive enthusiasts but is also an excellent launching point for beginner divers to learn that diving is one of the safest and healthiest recreational activities. The DRT Show is also a forum that dedicates its agenda on marine conservation practices, so for parents it’s a good chance to come with your children and learn more about our marine environment. It’s a chance to get involved, participate and really be excited about diving and our underwater world.” On July 17, a special highlight of the expo will be an in-depth feature on the Elysium Expedition. Dr. Elizabeth Quat and Mr. Ricky Wong Wai-kay (Director of Hong Kong Broadband) be the featured guest speakers. Dr. Quat, along with project director Mr. Michael Aw, will be discussing their involvement in the Elysium Expedition.

To entice public’s interest to the DRT Show and allow attendees to be actively involved, the Organizer will be holding an onsite quiz game. Attendees will need to locate various shark species around the convention hall, write down the booth number and drop the entry form into the designated box. Participants can win souvenirs and a lucky draw will be held at 4:00pm each day for a chance to win a Diving Trip for 7 days 6 nights dive package in Fiji (worth HK$25,000), Diving Trip for 4 days 3 nights 6 dives package for 2 person in Bali (worth HK$12,300), and other great prizes including state-of-the-art diving equipment, dive watches, etc with a total value exceeding HK$100,000.

For more information, please visit http://www.divingandresorttravelexpo.com

About Diving, Resort & Travel Expo

Opening Hours:
June 16 – 10am to 6pm
June 17 – 10am to 6pm
June 18 – 10am to 6pm
Fee：Free admission