Organizer Stefan Panis is a diver at heart and soul! From the age of 6, he embarked on his first dive alongside his father, and since then, he has undertaken numerous dives, developing a strong passion for technical diving, wreck diving, cave diving, and mine diving.
After leading the way at the Tekdive Shows in Antwerp for years, Stefan felt it was time to branch out and spread his own wings in 2019. This led to the creation of “Tec-Expo,” an innovative fair supported by a passionate and youthful team brimming with fresh ideas. Their aim was to organize an exceptional and affordable fair that would feature high-quality lectures, workshops, and a stunning exhibition space. The one-day trial event was a tremendous success, and throughout the entire process, they actively listened to the exhibitors, visitors, and speakers, taking their feedback to heart.
The feedback received indicated that “Start To Tec” had a vibrant presence and there was substantial interest among novice (recreational) divers in swimming techniques, buoyancy control, and materials. However, a majority of those surveyed expressed concerns about the perceived high threshold to attend a “Tec” exhibition. Therefore, the team made a deliberate choice to rebrand the event as “DiveXpo,” aiming to address this issue directly.
