Free copies of the 2009 edition of Pocket Guide DIVE Thailand & GOLF Thailand were dished out to all our visitors, who were also invited to try their luck to win a free diving package, plus there were bargains to be had in the form of a bevy of Nok Smile Packages.

We also pointed people in the right direction by recommending which other exhibitors to visit at the show along with giving helpful tips and tricks on how to select the most suitable diving destinations around the country.

As for the competition – we have a winner! who has already been notified by email and will receive a three full-day diving trip for two around the very best of Phuket’s local dive sites with Sea Bees Diving onboard MV Excalibur II, plus two nights’ accommodation in Sea Bees’ Palm Garden Resort in Chalong including return flights between Bangkok and Phuket.

If you didn’t win one of the trips, don’t be dismayed as the prizes have not dried up by any means. Subscribe to our DiveBlog to receive all the latest news including announcements of future ‘free to enter’ competitions, such as our monthly Photo Competition!

Huge thanks to Sea Bees Diving, Phuket and Nok Air for the generous donation of prizes.

Prize includes:

• Return flights with Nok Air between Bangkok & Phuket
• Two dives per day for three days
• Dive guide
• Use of tanks and weight system
• Breakfast and lunch on the dive boat
• Snacks, fruit, drinking water, soft drinks, tea and coffee
• Local transfers to and from the dive centre
• Two nights’ accommodation in an air-conditioned bungalow

Just ask for an entry form at the Pocket Guide Publications booth!

The Thailand Travel & Dive Expo 2009, incorporating the Thailand Golf Expo 2009 will hopefully give you most, if not all, the answers you’re looking for!

Three enormous halls are packed cheek-by-jowl with a variety of exhibitors covering all aspects of these two popular pastimes, with such topics as golfing lessons, diving courses, equipment sales and presentations, trips, holidays, travelling, accommodation and photography.

There’s also a timetable of informative seminars, stage events and an exhibition of the show’s photo contest to enjoy.

Pocket Guide has a bright and shiny stand located at booths P54 & P63 in support of both our DIVE and GOLF Thailand publications. So, if you have any questions about either of these two sporting pastimes, hunt us down and ask away! If you haven’t managed to grab a copy of these two valuable travelling companions you can download a free copy of DIVE Thailand 2009 and GOLF Thailand 2009 by following the relevant link.

There will also be a number of special pastime-oriented package deals available, co-ordinated by Nok Air – which are sure to put a smile on your face!

Last but not least, we’re running two free competitions – but to find out more you need to come and visit us at the show!

So stop by, get clued-up, save some money and – who knows – you could win an exciting diving trip to Phuket or a fabulous golfing experience in Chiang Mai, all flights included!

Doors for the Expos are open 11am – 9pm daily. See you there!

Taking this one step further we have added the capability to subscribe and have the convenience of being be notified of blog postings directly to your desktop, portable device, telephone or even by email, giving everyone the chance to keep up to date with whats currently bubbling in and around Thai waters - in the most convenient way that suits them! We hope that you find this blog a useful reference and handy travelling companion.

The diving sector located in hall number three has no less than 350 exhibitors, including dive centres, liveaboard operators, travel agents and major brands of equipment suppliers.

There are a number of dive operators based in Thailand at the show and they are just waiting to show visitors how inviting the diving and there special brand of services are, so if you are planning on visiting the show, pop in and say hello. From Phuket are Dive Asia, Eden Divers, Mermaid Liveaboards and Sea Bees Diving who also have a centre in Khao Lak. From the island of Koh Lanta is Ko Lanta Diving Center

Visitors to the Tourism Authority of Thailand booth, also in hall three, can grab themselves a complimentary copy of the 2009 edition of Pocket Guide DIVE Thailand. For those of you that cannot make it along to see them at the show, don’t despair; you can download a pdf version of the edition in its entirety here!

PRE-BOOKED GOLD PASSES
Everyone purchasing a Gold Conference Pass before February 27th (Details at: www.diveoztek.com.au/tickets.html) will be automatically entered into the Opening Ceremony draw to win:

A 7-night dive trip to Tulagi Resort, Solomon Islands, courtesy of, Solomon Airlines, Tulagi Dive, Vanitas Lodge and Dive Adventures.

LUCKY DOOR PRIZES
Periodically throughout the weekend, visitors to the OZTeK’09 Exhibition will have the opportunity to win overseas dive trips and equipment that already includes:

• A 7-night dive trip to the Solomon Islands, courtesy of Invader Charters.
• 7 nights accommodations at Tawali Resort, Papua New Guinea for one person, courtesy of Tawali Adventures.
• A 7-night dive trip to Santo Island, Vanuatu for 1 person, courtesy of Air Vanuatu, Deco Stop Lodge and Dive Adventures.
• A 7-night trip to Hideaway Island, Port Vila, Vanuatu for 1 person, courtesy of Air Vanuatu, Hideaway Island Resort and Dive Adventures.
• A Zeagle Flathead XP First & Second stage regulator, courtesy of Scuba Imports with choice of DIN or Yoke fitting.
• Two limited edition ‘Closed Circuit Dive Club’ T-shirts and two ‘CCR – Closed Circuit Refresher’ DVD’s courtesy of C-19
• A 7-night trip to Matava Resort, Kadavu, Fiji for two people courtesy of Matava Resort and Diversion Dive Travel.
• … and more!

GALA AWARDS DINNER
To be held at Dockside Cockle Bay on the evening of Sunday 22nd March, everyone attending the Gala Awards Dinner has an opportunity to win great prizes that already include:

A ten-night dive trip to Lissenung Island Resort, Kavieng, in Papua New Guinea for 1 person, courtesy of: Air Niugini; Lissenung Island Resort and Dive Adventures.

As well as the ‘Industry Recognition’ and ‘Outstanding Achievement’ Awards that will be announced on the evening, this year’s recipient of the OZTeK Technical Diver of The Year Award, will receive:
A VRX Mixed Gas Dive Computer, courtesy of VR Technologies.

UNDERWATER IMAGERY COMPETITION
Sponsored by Scubapro Australia, the great range of prizes for the OZTeK’09 Underwater Imagery Competition already includes:
A 7-night dive trip to the Solomon Islands, courtesy of Invader Charters
An 8-night trip to Nusa Island Resort, Kavieng, in Papua New Guinea, courtesy of: Scuba Ventures, Nusa Island Retreat , Air Niugini and Dive Adventures.

To be held at Australian Technology Park, Sydney on 21 – 22 March 2009, further information on all that’s happening at OZTeK’09 - as well as full details of all of the prizes on offer – can be viewed on the website at: www.diveoztek.com.au

Bursting at the seams with the very best that the world of diving has to offer, participants exhibiting at OZTeK’09 include many of the industry’s major players, including manufacturers, distributors, training agencies and tourist boards.

Complementing the busy OZTeK’09 Conference programme of simultaneous theatre, seminar and workshop presentations delivered by some of diving’s most celebrated identities, the OZTeK’09 Dive Exhibition is a stand-alone event open to all: And with an admission charge of just $15.00 – and the chance to win ‘Lucky Door’ prizes of equipment and overseas diving trips worth thousands of dollars –it’s a visit that may just change your life … and how you think about diving.

A truly international event that’s been chosen as the launch platform for a number of exciting new products and initiatives, OZTeK’09 is the one-stop shop window onto a dynamic world.

To find out more about who’s exhibiting at OZTeK’09 and for further information about the event, check out www.diveoztek.com.au or e-mail the organisers at: admin@diveoztek.com.au