PADI Members Build eLearning to Increase Growth and Profit

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – 21 February 2007 - Leading the way to business growth and success, PADI is making giant strides in the development of eLearning to increase the number of entry level divers. With the assistance of PADI Members, who are actively assisting in the creation of the PADI Open Water Diver course online, eLearning is being designed to meet several important criteria to ensure success – customer acquisition and increased profitability for PADI Members, and ease of use for consumers. Through seminars, store visits and one-on-one discussions, PADI has been sharing development details with and seeking opinions from retail and resort members. Not only do they overwhelmingly support PADI eLearning, but often suggest that it’s past due.

Skip Commagere, owner of Force-E South Florida Dive Centers, a 30 year PADI Member and new program beta tester says, “I know from experience that PADI offers the industry’s best diver education programs. That’s always been good for my business. A number of years ago, I recognized the need to embrace online academics for training entry level divers, and we currently do a lot of online training, so I know how important a tool it is for the dive operators. I’m tickled to death that we’ll soon have the PADI name on our online training.”

What does eLearning and the PADI Open Water Diver course online offer?

• Another way for student divers to begin independent study. Using an interactive web-based program, they hear, read and see the same material they would with the PADI Open Water Diver Manual and Video or Multimedia, and they still meet the same performance objectives. They just do so through far easier access and they can begin at any time -- at their convenience. -more – PADI Members Build eLearning – add 1
• A simple first step toward becoming a diver, making it easier to close the sale. eLearners still learn and demonstrate the confined and open water skills under PADI Instructor guidance, and obtain equipment and dive services at a PADI Dive Center or Resort. Prospective students learn all this before enrolling, and in fact, must affiliate with a PADI Dive Center or Resort for their key services, equipment sales and instructional contact before they can begin the course.
• An effective way for PADI Dive Centers and Resorts to increase business by fulfilling the needs of consumers accustomed to seeking products and services online. All PADI Dive Centers and Resorts can offer eLearning, and there are no additional fees for providing this service. Through a revenue sharing model, PADI Dive Centers and Resorts will receive payment direct from PADI for every eLearner that associates with their business. PADI Dive Centers and Resorts profit from the silent sales made via eLearning.

“We’ve always supported the Start Today approach and PADI eLearning fits right in,” said Dan King, owner of Diver Dan’s Scuba in Santa Clara, California, who is also a beta tester for the new program. According to King, “Any avenue that gets someone into diving is good. I certainly intend to offer it on my website, and we’ll communicate immediately with everyone who signs up to come in and get equipment. As we go through it, we’ll learn what works and what doesn’t. But, the first thing to do is embrace it and get it on the website. Literally promote starting [dive training] right now.”

The new PADI Open Water Diver course online offers multiple communication tools including email, chat and alert functions. “eLearning does not have to be cold and impersonal,” said Budd Riker, director of eBusiness for PADI Americas. “Diving is all about personality and relationship building – which is why it will be so important for PADI Members to interact with their students throughout their eLearning experience.”

The key to success for eLearning lies in the hands of PADI Members, who are vital in completing training and delivering the lifestyle experience that creates dedicated divers and loyal customers. Learning to dive via eLearning is not that different from traditional methods – it’s simply one more convenient way to begin. The PADI Open Water Diver course online is scheduled to launch in April 2007. To learn more about this exciting new program, and to find out how you can increase business by expanding your dive center or resort presence online, contact Bill Hamm, Director of PADI Americas’ International Resort and Retailer Associations at +1 949 858 7234, ext. 2534.

Others promise … PADI delivers.