One of PADI’s main messages at this year’s DEMA Show, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, was how much focus there is on enabling PADI Member success. If you were there, you almost certainly heard a lot about PADI’s 90% Share of Voice in media, 2.7 million+ monthly visitors to padi.com, and the $5 million dollars PADI Members have received back from revenue sharing. Similarly, there were presentations and discussions about PADI Club expansion, the “Seek Adventure. Save the Ocean. Together” campaign and other campaigns designed to drive business to PADI Members.

But while these are noteworthy – we can’t do what we do if business doesn’t thrive – they are not the big picture. Few, if any, of us got into the dive industry with “doing business” as our driving sentiment. We do what we do because we’re passionate about diving and what it does. Because, through our diving “superpowers,” we make a difference in others, the world and ourselves.

Our mission, to put it simply, is to use our superpowers and join hands with 30 million+ PADI Divers as a continuing, growing force for positive change. As Ocean Torchbearers, we’re protecting, preserving and restoring the seas through local and international efforts. Last year alone, PADI Divers freed at least 35,000 animals from marine debris – and collected and documented tons of debris. With PADI AWARE, we’ve adopted 2500 conservation sites (so far) and helped protect more than 100 vulnerable species. More than ever, the ocean depends on wise decisions and actions to sustain it, and we are a driving influence for both.

Diving heals – us and those we care about. We escape humanity and congestion, and, at the same time, connect with nature. It eases physical and mental challenges, and it’s also humbling because we rely on our training, skills, experience and discipline to enjoy our brief visits. Diving changes each of us differently and in many ways, yet whether young or old – because diving is a rare life-long passion – such changes are invariably positive.

The big picture is that we want to enable these changes and inspire divers to join us in making these changes, sharing our passion for seeking adventure and saving the ocean so that diving continues to grow as a positive influential voice, unified and embraced across cultures and borders. When we invest in our dive operations, that’s what we’re investing in.

Wishing all a wonderful, warm holiday season and prosperous New Year.

Sincerely,

Drew Richardson
PADI CEO and President

The post Straight Talk from PADI CEO: Few of Us Got Into the Dive Industry With “Doing Business” as Our Driving Sentiment appeared first on PADI Pros.

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