PADI Asia Pacific Announce the Member Awards 2006 WINNERS!
Singapore 22nd April 2006 - The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
Asia Pacific announces the winners of the member award program for 2006.
PADI Asia Pacific held its second Member Social which took place in conjunction
with the Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) 2006 to ensure maximum member participation. The
PADI Asia Pacific member social was designed to emphasise the members’ contribution
towards industry success and the highlight of the evening was the Member Awards
Ceremony.
“The new concept for awarding PADI Members for their hard work was introduced last
year” said Henrik Nimb, Vice President Marketing, Education & Business Developments.
“At that time, we were overwhelmed by the Members’ support which was evidenced in
the excellent applications that we received. A similar professionalism and support
was carried over to this year’s awards, and it was obvious that a tremendous amount
of preparation and consideration had gone into preparing the many applications.
The dive industry-at-large selected the nominees and subsequently the winners of
the awards and I wish to thank all participants for their outstanding contributions
to the process. PADI is proud to be associated with all of its members.”
The member social included a royal Chinese dinner and drinks, and provided the perfect
opportunity for PADI Members, Staff and Key Industry Stakeholders to network.
PADI Asia Pacific also took the opportunity to present some of the latest developments
and news such as PADI celebrating 40 years of professionalism, the PADI Diving Society,
a diver membership society dedicated to the underwater world and the exciting diving
lifestyle, the new PADI.com, an online revolution has been unveiled, Digital Underwater
Photographer Specialty Course, offering PADI divers the perfect opportunity to expand
their diving horizons with a digital camera and the PADI Specialty of the Month
Promotion.
In 2005, the format of the awards was revised to provide both Individual and IRRA
Members the opportunity to present themselves within the relevant award categories.
The awards are for Asia Pacific with only one winner per category and proved to
be most successful.
PADI Asia Pacific received an overwhelming high response of nominations across all
categories, providing tough competition. PADI would like to thank all those who
provided fantastic nomination overviews and encourage all Members to enter the awards
in 2007.
A panel of key industry stakeholders met to judge the finalist in each category.
PADI continues to develop and create new opportunities for its Members, Partners
and the Industry. PADI Asia Pacific thanks you for your continued support and would
like to thank the sponsors of the Member Awards Evening: Horsell, Scuba Diver Australasia
and ADEX & CDEX.
The Winners are:
Outstanding (Dive Centre/Resort) Business Award: This award is
to recognise outstanding business performance, initiatives and achievements across
all areas of business operation. Pro Dive Cairns,
Australia
Instructor Development Award: This award is to celebrate outstanding
achievements and commitment to PADI’s Instructor Development.
Alex Van Welderen, Australia
Tourism Award: This category recognises excellence in the planning
of tourism infrastructure and/or services with a focus on entrepreneurial vision
and integration with the environment. Ao Nang Divers,
Thailand
Diving for Tomorrow Innovation Award: The purpose of the Diving
for Tomorrow Innovation Award is to recognise and celebrate innovation within the
diving industry, whether large or small, and to inspire others.
Mark Lehmann, Australia
Young Achiever in Diving Award: This award recognises a young achiever’s
contribution to the development of a vibrant diving industry through their local
Dive Centre/Resort. Mark Hedger, Malaysia
Project AWARE Environmental Award: This award aims to recognise
outstanding ecological achievements with a focus on fostering environmental and
cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.
Tony Fontes, Australia
Diver Training Award: This award is to recognise the outstanding
achievements and professionalism in relation to raising the standards in the field
of Diver Training. Rod Punshon, Australia
About PADI
PADI (The Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is the world’s largest
recreational diving membership organization. The membership includes dive businesses,
resort facilities, academic institutions, instructor trainers, dive educators, divers,
snorkellers and other watersports enthusiasts. Professional PADI members (dive centres,
resorts, educational facilities, instructors, assistant instructors and divemasters)
teach the vast majority of the world’s recreational divers, issuing over a million
certifications each year. PADI professionals make underwater exploration and adventure
accessible to the public while maintaining the highest industry standards for dive
training, safety and customer service. To learn more about PADI, log on to
www.padi.com.
For further information visit your PADI Dive Centre/Resort. Visit padi.com
Louise Cooke
Senior Marketing Executive
PADI Asia Pacific
louise.cooke@padi.com.au
+ 61 2 9454 2811