PADI Attends China Dive Expo (CDEX) 2007 in Beijing - The Olympic City

PADI Asia Pacific and PADI International Resort & Retailer Associations Members in China teamed up recently to present the latest PADI educational products, programs and promotions at CDEX 2007 - the China Dive Expo - now in its third year. PADI IRRA Members attending the show were, Shanghai Sea Star Diving Club, Dalian Diver Training Center, Marea Hainan, GN Dive Center, Beijing Dragon Diving and Extreme Experience Diving Club.

Organized by East West Mice (Shanghai) Co Ltd., CDEX took place at China World Exhibition Hall in Beijing, where 80 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions showcased their products.

Representing PADI Asia Pacific were executive staff members, Henrik Nimb – Vice President Marketing, Education & Business Development, Mark Spiers – Manager, Sales & Field Services and Roger Sun – Regional Manger. Takayuki Miyashita, PADI Worldwide’s Advisor for Northeast Asia flew in from Japan for the event.

The show received strong support from major international and local diving equipment manufacturers and their agencies, dive training organisations, dive operators, travel destinations, tourism associations and both local and international diving magazines. Around 40 members of the Chinese media reported from the show over the 3 day period.

Attracting 3,500 visitors from 16 countries and regions, show highlights this year included the China Scuba Tour, which was by far the most popular activity, where novice divers had an opportunity to ‘try scuba’ in a specially designed on-site tank. Other attractions included a central stage show, a lucky draw and Love Heart to the Sea, an art competition for students underlining marine conservation, supported by Project AWARE.

The CDEX Dive Summit – Dialogue 2007, attended by many dive industry stakeholders during the show, provided a platform for discussion and an opportunity to share ideas in terms of future development of the potentially huge diving market in China.

PADI Asia Pacific’s long-term relationship with the Chinese Underwater Association gained further strength when Henrik Nimb, Takayuki Miyashita and Mark Spiers attended the CUA Annual Conference, which took place in conjunction with CDEX.

On the second evening of the event, PADI Asia Pacific took the opportunity to host a dinner for local IRRA and Professional members in a prominent Beijing restaurant, which proved to be an outstanding success - more than 40 members attended the event.

Returning from Beijing Henrik Nimb reported, “CDEX 2007 was a great PADI team effort. Speaking on behalf of all the PADI delegates, I can confidently say that we all enjoyed the show, the wonderful support of PADI Members and the opportunity to look into the future of diving in China”.

The next China Dive Expo is scheduled for 19-21 September, 2008 in Shanghai.

About PADI
PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is the world’s largest recreational dive training, certification and membership organisation. PADI Members (dive centres, 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.

For more information, visit padi.com.

For further information visit your PADI Dive Centre/Resort. Visit padi.com

CDEX Members & Staff.jpg PADI Asia Pacific members and executive staff gather for a group photo against the backdrop of PADI’s informative CDEX booth.







CDEX Mark SongT Henrik.jpg L to R At the PADI booth, Mark Spiers – Manager, Sales & Field Services, PADI Asia Pacific; Song-Tao Ge – owner, GN Dive Center and Henrik Nimb - Vice President Marketing, Education & Business Development, PADI Asia Pacific.