Florida Keys Diving – Bob Holston on the Dry Tortugas | DEMA Show 2026 | Marketing Minutes

Florida Keys diving offers some of the most remarkable underwater adventures in the United States, and few people know these waters better than Bob Holston of Finz Dive Center. In this special DEMA Show 2026 edition of Marketing Minutes, Scuba Diving Industry Magazine Publisher William Cline and Ad Sales Manager Britain Cline sit down with Bob Holston, a veteran of the Florida Keys dive industry with more than 50 years of experience. Bob shares his remarkable journey from arriving in Key West in 1969 to operating a dive business for five decades and now working with Finz Dive Center, specializing in excursions to the legendary Dry Tortugas. Discover what makes the Florida Keys a premier diving destination: 🌊 Dry Tortugas Diving: Explore remote reefs, historic shipwrecks, and pristine underwater environments near Fort Jefferson. 🚤 Finz Dive Center: Learn about specialized dive excursions aboard fast, modern vessels equipped for the 70-mile journey from Key West. 🐠 Unique Dive Sites: Discover Sherwood Forest, an extraordinary coral formation in the Tortugas Banks area. 🏪 Opportunities for Dive Retailers: Hear how the Florida Keys tourism industry is developing marketing resources and travel programs to help dive shops attract customers and organize group trips. ✈️ Accessible Dive Travel: Explore why convenient driving routes, direct flights, and activities for non-divers make the Keys attractive for group travel. For dive retailers, travel professionals, and underwater enthusiasts, this conversation highlights the business opportunities and extraordinary experiences that make Florida Keys diving an essential part of the American dive travel market. 🔗 Learn more about Florida Keys & Key West: https://visitfloridakeys.com/ 🔗 Subscribe for FREE: https://scubadivingindustry.com/subscribe-for-free/ 🔗 Explore the Magazine: https://scubadivingindustry.com 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7IOEDfciHEFOFmzeErhqa9 🌐 Follow Us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scubadivingindustry Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scubadivingindustry/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scubadivingindustry/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmKF_l3vzM-qnTHsn7QRbNQ/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scubadivingindustry ⏱ Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Live from DEMA Show 2026 00:22 – Meet Bob Holston of Finz Dive Center 00:29 – 50+ Years in the Florida Keys Dive Industry 01:18 – From Dive Shop Owner to Industry Consultant 01:35 – Finz Dive Center and Dry Tortugas Expeditions 02:17 – Historic Shipwrecks and Diving the Dry Tortugas 02:50 – Modern Dive Boats and Onboard Technology 03:18 – Florida Keys Tourism and Dive Shop Partnerships 03:53 – Diving Opportunities Throughout the Florida Keys 04:41 – The Changing Dive Retail Industry 05:06 – Marketing Toolkits and Support for Dive Shops 05:22 – Why Retailers Should Sell Florida Keys Travel 05:59 – Group Dive Travel and Transportation Options 06:54 – Bob's Favorite Dive Site: Sherwood Forest 07:35 – Tim Taylor and the Search for WWII Submarines 08:07 – Closing Thoughts and What's Next #ScubaDivingIndustryMagazine #ScubaDivingIndustry #DivingIndustryMagazine #ScubaDiving #DivingIndustry #Scuba #Diving #FloridaKeysDiving #DryTortugas #DiveMarketing #ScubaBusiness #ScubaDivingIndustry