PADI Explores the Future of Diving Online

PADI Worldwide President and Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Drew Richardson, discusses strategies to compete and thrive.

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – 2 November 2006 – Business professionals can no longer deny it or ignore it – the internet is here to stay and online retail sales are growing. Based on current trends, US online retail sales will grow to $105 billion in 2006, a healthy 21 percent increase from 2005. On Friday, 10 November, PADI Worldwide President and Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Drew Richardson, will lead PADI Members into the Future of Diving, exploring the world of ecommerce and sharing internet imperatives for evolving retail business practices.

PADI’s Future of Diving seminar will be hosted at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, home to the 2006 DEMA Show. This seminar is a must-attend for all business professionals determined to grow and thrive by making this shift in consumer shopping trends work for them. During his presentation, Richardson will discuss market and demographic trends that affect businesses lacking an online presence and reveal ecommerce solutions retailers can implement to expand their store perimeter online and increase sales. The Future of Diving presentation will delve into the following critical messages:

• How the Internet Has Changed Retail Business
• Ways to Expand Your Store’s Perimeter Online
• An eRetailer’s Point of View
• Getting Started
• Available PADI Resources

PADI will host a panel during the latter portion of the presentation to facilitate questions and answers and generate further discussion. 

PADI Explores Future of Diving Online – add 1 All PADI Members are encouraged to attend the Future of Diving. This free seminar will be offered at 8:30 AM and again at 1:30 PM on Friday, 11 November at the Orange County Convention Center in meeting room S220ABC. Pre-registration is not required. For more information regarding the Future of Diving seminar, stop by the PADI booth on the DEMA show floor or contact PADI Americas Communications Manager, Theresa Gulledge, at +1 949 858 7234, ext. 2322 or email theresa.gulledge@padi.com.

PADI is the world’s largest recreational dive training, certification and membership organization. PADI Members (dive centers, resorts, educational facilities, instructors, assistant instructors and divemasters) issue nearly 1,000,000 certifications worldwide each year, making underwater exploration and adventure accessible to the public, while maintaining the highest industry standards for dive training, safety and customer service.