“Online Event Helps Dive and Travel Industry Stakeholders Adapt to a Fast- Changing Environment”

CHICAGO, Il., March 26, 2015 –  The second annual Blue Ocean Business Summit will launch on World Oceans Day – Monday June 8 2015. The week-long online event, sponsored by Blue Ocean Network.com, will be free of charge to dive, travel and marine tourism industry professionals.

“If you use the ocean as a backdrop to your business, you need to join us,” says Summit host Laurie Wilson.

The Summit is designed specifically for all dive industry stakeholders including: manufacturers, certification agencies, dive stores, media and consulting, trade and consumer shows, resorts, live-aboards, dive operators, marine parks managers, scientists, divers, instructors, group leaders, travel wholesalers, photographers, marine nonprofits, water sports and hotel associations, and travel and tourism professionals.

The upcoming online event will feature an inspiring group of thought leaders and trailblazers who will share insights, lessons learned and action steps that have helped them to successfully ride the waves of change already happening in the marine tourism and dive recreation industries.

This year’s online participants will be guided through the new “Blue” business model that is already proving to help other business owners to thrive in an uncertain world. Also known as the “sustainable business model” this new way of doing business is being embraced from Harvard to Hong Kong.

Wilson comments, “The Dive Industry is based on a business model that was created during the heydays of the 1980’s. But times have changed and the oceans have changed dramatically. The tried and true business strategies no longer work the way they used to. Yet there are people in our industry who have not stuck their heads in the sand – they are smart, purpose-driven people who love the underwater world, and they are making a difference while making a good living. For them, to thrive it can no longer be business as usual.”

According to Wilson, “these are the kind of people who have what it takes to stay the course in the new business environment: they are inspired and energized by the positive impacts they can bring to the world by running a financially profitable, socially responsible and environmentally-friendly business. These are the foundational elements of the new blue business model. Ignore these components at your peril.”

A dive industry veteran, Platinum Pro 5000 diver and Women Divers Hall of Fame honoree, Laurie Wilson has worked in many aspects of the industry, including dive stores, resorts, liveaboards, marine non-profits, marine sanctuaries, shows and events, dive publications, and her latest media endeavour as the Founder of the Blue Ocean Network. As host of the inaugural week-long Blue Ocean Business Summit in 2014, Wilson interviewed 21 experts from 7 countries who introduced 1425 business participants to the sustainability imperative.  Featured Speakers (and divers) were NY Times best-selling author of Blue Mind, Dr. Wallace J. Nichols and PBS host and best-selling author of Song for a Blue Ocean, Dr. Carl Safina.

To attend the Blue Ocean Business Summit 2015, sign up for free at BlueOceanBusinessSummit.com. Media Contact: Elise DuFour,  BlueOceanBusinessSummit@gmail.com

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