Dive Industry Association, Inc.

Blue The Dive – Meeting at DEMA Show 2014

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

Blue Ocean Network.com
Denver, CO
November 14, 2014

For anyone that has ever experienced the ocean firsthand, whether through scuba diving, snorkeling, freediving, or swimming, it is hard to ignore the depleting fish populations, coral reef degradation, and overall declining health of our oceans.

“Blue the Dive” is an initiative spearheaded by the Colorado Scuba Retailers Association (CSRA), the Colorado Ocean Coalition (COCO), and Ocean First Institute (OFI) bringing together all industry stakeholders to work together to bring environmental initiatives and best practices to the forefront of the dive industry.

Blue The Dive Meeting at DEMA Show 2014

All stakeholders are invited to join the conversation at DEMA Show 2014 on Friday, November 21 from 10am-12pm in room N236. The presentation and workshop is designed to help bring the industry together, and to steer the collective towards positive change for the benefit of everyone.

Blue the Dive recognizes the many groups already working towards ocean protection. The goal of Blue The Dive is to provide a platform for all industry stakeholders to work collaboratively on unifying these efforts. To Blue the Dive, the initiative will share resources to facilitate the development and expansion of sustainable business practices within our industry.

Background: What started as a conversation between industry stakeholders at a small meeting in Colorado has turned in to a greater initiative to reach anyone and everyone that depends on the dive industry’s greatest resource, the ocean. The goal is to use a collective industry voice to further environmental education and ocean protection policy, and to work together to become better ocean stewards through improving industry practices in environmental sustainability.

It is by bringing all stakeholders from the dive industry together, that this collaboration will create a Sustainable Industry. As Doug McNeese, President of Scuba Schools International, stated, “If you take money out of this industry, you have a fiduciary responsibility to be a part of this initiative.”

It’s not a Fad. It’s part of a BIG trend.

There’s already much talk and action about Why Blue Your Business? in the broader travel and tourism industry. Recently at the ASTA Global Convention, travel expert Peter Greenberg outlined the growing demand for sustainability by consumers and the necessity for travel sellers and suppliers to meet this demand.

The Future of Sustainable Adventure Travel was a hot topic at the recent World Travel Market and outlined the imperative to be responsible because that’s where the profits lie.

A recent report by the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Eco-certification of Hotels brings about significant savings and efficiencies that go directly to the bottom line, and attracts the growing number of customers who want sustainability.

Responding to Building Pressure for Sustainable Destinations, a recent report sponsored by Cape Town Tourism and Innovation Norway, outlines concisely and clearly what makes destinations work well and not so well. The report concludes that businesses that follow a triple bottom line approach that recognizes the environment and the local communities as integral aspects of their business model – are the most successful.

Blue Ocean Network.com is part of the core team launching the Blue The Dive initiative since their missions are in alignment – to bring a sustainable blue business model to the broader marine tourism industry, of which the dive industry is an important player. BON’s publisher, Laurie Wilson says “Blue the Dive is not a new idea. It’s an idea whose time has come. If you want to stay in business – it’s no longer business as usual.”

Join the conversation: Since the recent launch, more than 600 industry stakeholders have signed the Blue The Dive pledge. Don’t wait until the meeting to be a part of the collective effort to help further conserve and protect our oceans. Sign the Blue the Dive pledge now. For more information, please visit bluethedive.org. More resources and articles on bluing your business model at www.BlueOceanNetwork.com

BTD Event Page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/730747483667994/

BTD Pledge link:
https://www.causes.com/actions/1774445-pledge-to-blue-the-dive?conversion_request_id=173087727&recruiter_id=87074516&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=wall&utm_source=fb

Posted in Environment, Industry, Non-Profits | Leave a comment

Beverly Factor Receives SSI Platinum Pro 5000 Award

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Gene M.

Beverly Factor

by Gene Muchanski
SSI Platinum Pro 5000 (1995)

Beverly Factor, President of Beverly Factor Photography has been selected to receive the SSI Platinum Pro 5000 Award. Beverly will receive her award from the Platinum Pro Foundation at the SSI Platinum Pro 5000 Diver Award celebration, during the 38th Annual DEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV. The 21st Annual Platinum Pro Diver Party is scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2014, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm at the Host Hotel – WestGate Hotel, Pavilion #10.

Beverly is a NAUI DiveMaster from Laguna Beach, California and has logged over 5,000 scuba dives. She first got certified in 1986 and has been taking underwater photographs ever since. Beverly is the author of two books. SEADUCTION, the Sensuous Side of the Sea, is Beverly’s coffee table book and ANGELEE SAVES THE SEA, is her children’s adventure story. Beverly also publishes an underwater calendar every year. You can see her work at www.BeverlyFactor.com

Beverly Factor has been a Member of the Dive Industry Association since 2012. She can be reached at bfactor@beverlyfactor.com Congratulations Beverly.

Posted in Industry, Press Release, Training & Education, Underwater Photography | Tagged SSI Platinum Pro | Leave a comment

Editorial – October 2014

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

The Power & Privilege of the VOTE
by Gene Muchanski, Editor
The Dive Industry Professional

We are so fortunate to live in a country that allows its citizens to have a voice. A voice to publically agree or disagree with the rules and regulations that guide our lives. These rules and regulations were designed to make our lives on earth more organized, predictable, enjoyable and meaningful. In fact, the ability to speak up is more than a privilege, it’s a human right. It’s called free speech. But with that right comes a responsibility. It’s our responsibility to choose people to represent us, act on our behalf and give us a collective voice. This November, the United States will hold its mid-term elections. It is our duty to vote for the people that will best represent us. I just voted in Florida’s early election and win or lose, the candidates I voted for will have a competitive edge of one vote! If I campaign for any one of them, I have just exercised my right to free speech and I may have more of an impact on the election. Either way, I have the satisfaction of knowing that I did the best I could with what I have.

In the diving industry, 2 organizations hold Board of Directors elections; NAUI and DEMA. NAUI Worldwide is holding their election starting on November 3 and ending on December 5. DEMA will hold their election starting on December 15th.

If you are a member of either organization, please exercise your right of free speech and support the candidates that best represent you. Tell your friends and colleagues why you think your candidate is the best. Don’t let a voting block candidate win by default because you feel that your vote doesn’t mean much. It does. Like a snow flake in a snow storm, the power of one multiplied can move mountains.

NAUI BOD Election Info

DEMA BOD Election Info

Posted in Editorials, Industry, Newsletter - The Dive Industry Professionals | Tagged DEMA, dive industry, diving industry, NAUI, Voting | Leave a comment

Diving & Dining in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

Diving and Dining in Lauderdale By The Sea
By Gene Muchanski, Southeast Correspondent
Dive News Network

To celebrate Florida’s mini-lobster season, a little seaside village with a population of 6,000 residents annually sponsors a diving event called BugFest-By-The-Sea As new residents to the State of Florida, Dana and I gladly accepted an invitation to drive down to the beautiful Town of Lauderdale-By-the Sea (LBTS) to see what this event was all about. The following four days turned out to be one of the nicest diving vacations we ever experienced.

The Town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, located just north of Fort Lauderdale, is known as the Shore Dive Capital of South Florida because of its beautiful coral reefs located less than 100 yards off the beach. Snorkelers and scuba divers alike frequent the shallow water reefs for the warm, clear water and abundant marine life, especially Lobster. So it makes a lot of sense to hold BugFest in a place that not only has great shore diving but plenty of Dive Boat Operators, Dive Stores, and a local diving community that comes together every year to volunteer their time to throw a party that welcomes all Divers who want to participate in a fun event.

This year’s BugFest started on Friday, July 25^th with a reception to showcase the Sinking World Art Exhibit of Andreas Franke and ended on Saturday, August 2^nd at the Beneath The Waves Film Festival. There was something to do every day for the entire nine days. Over 200 certified divers signed up to compete in the Great Florida Bug Hunt with over $15,000 in dive gear and prizes. There was a mini-season kickoff party, four days of beach and boat diving, a beachfront Lobster Cookoff, a Lobster Chef Competition, and in the El Prado Park event there was a lobster cookout and Live Calypso Music There was even a photo & video contest and a “Catching The Bug Seminar” by local Author Jim “Chiefy” Mathie.

Promoting diving in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area is a cooperative effort between the local diving community, diving businesses and city, county and state entities. At the invitation of The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Southeast Dive News Correspondents Gene Muchanski and Dana Polites joined a group of Journalists to participate in BugFest-By-The-Sea and be treated to an entire “Diving and Dining” experience in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea and her neighboring cities. This was one dive trip we were really going to enjoy!

Kaymi Malave & Aubrey McGovern

Kaymi Malave, Senior Account Supervisor and Aubrey McGovern, Account Supervisor with the advertising agency M.Silver, and Jessica Savage of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau were going to show us why Lauderdale-By-The-Sea was such a great destination for travelers, and I would have to say they succeeded. We met with Aubrey, our guide and dive buddy for the next four days at The Sea Lord Hotel & Suites. The Sea Lord Hotel is a beautifully updated AAA Three-diamond, oceanfront boutique hotel on Florida’s most exclusive stretch of beach. It has spectacular views from apartment-style accommodations. Our Media Group included writers from Southeast Dive News, Bonnier Corporation, and Advanced Diver Magazine. We were delighted to become dive buddies with the young Schyler Cox, the 2014 Bonnier Corporation Intern from the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society. The Sea Lord Hotel is right on the Beach, peaceful and quite, yet close enough to our dive operator’s dock.

Jeff Torode

The diving was provided by Jeff Torode, President of South Florida Diving Headquarters Not only was Jeff one of the promoters of BugFest, he volunteered to be our Host, Tour Guide, Dive Boat Captain, Dinner Guest and Local Tourism Ambassador. All we had to do in return was dive, take pictures & video, eat, try “FlyBoarding” and climb 132 stairs up the Hillsboro Lighthouse! Where Jeff gets the energy to do what he does is beyond me, but he definitely is the guy to call if you want a fun watersports experience in the Fort Lauderdale – Pompano Beach – LBTS area.

We knew this dive trip was going to be all about diving and dining when Jessica and Aubrey arrived in the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitor’s Bureau’s (CVB) van on our first night to take us to the Blue Moon Fish Co. a chic waterfront restaurant located on the Intracostal Waterway serving creative fresh Florida cuisine. This deco-inspired exterior with a contemporary American menu is on our “must go to” list for visitors to LBTS. The “Tower” appetizer, Mahi Mahi, and Key Lime Pie were our favorites.

Jim “Chiefy” Mathie

The excitement of the first day was upon us as we got in our CVB Van (Thanks Joseph Rodman) and headed out to meet Jeff Torode at South Florida Diving Headquarters . Our Dive Guide for the first two “bug” dives was non-other than Mr. Bug himself, Jim “Chiefy” Mathie. Jim’s written a book on catching Lobster and we knew we were in good hands. We set up our gear and took some pictures as the dive boat made its way to Chiefy’s secret Lobster spots. After two dives with Chiefy and his Divemaster, they had all the lobster they needed and we had all the pictures and video to prove it.

One thing that makes a vacation interesting and well-rounded is when there are non-diving activities you and your family can participate in after your dives. After our first two dives we caught a quick shower and headed south to Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center in Fort Lauderdale. We were greeted at the newly constructed $50 Million Dollar Oceanographic Center by the NSU Staff; Wendy Wood-Derrer, Director of Development, Brandon Hensler, Interium Executive Director of University Relations, and Joe Donzelli, Associate Director of Public Affairs. Wendy shared the History of the NSU Oceanographic Center with us in their beautiful Boardroom overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. NSU is the largest private not-for-profit university in the Southeast and with an enrollment of more than 29,000 students, is the eight largest in the United States.

Wendy Wood-Derrer & Schyler Cox

Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center has been at the forefront of marine science education and oceanographic research for nearly 50 years. It is the home of the National coral Reef Institute, the Guy Harvey Research Institute, the Save Our Seas Shark Center, the Broward County Florida Sea Turtle Conservation Program and a number of other Institutes as well. We were able to catch up with Assistant Professor David Kerstetter and get the scope on some of his marvelous Lionfish Research.

Having been on two dives in the morning followed by a tour of the NSU Oceanographic Center in the afternoon, it was time to check back into the BugFest and see how the Lobster Chef Competition was going. As you can imagine, the five culinary chef teams battled it out and after tasting the entries, only two were proclaimed as this year’s winners. There was an overall winner and a “Divers Choice” winner. See BugFest’s Facebook Page for all the details. If there was an award for best “Key Lime Margarita” we’d have to give it to our Host Jeff Torode, now wearing an apron and cooking for Serenity Yacht Cruises.

BugFest was a great success and we look forward to participating next year. It was time to end our second day with a great dinner at 101 Ocean. “Casual but classy beach dining experience. Beautifully designed and decorated with a hugh outdoor bar.” Needless to say, the food quality was excellent and the service was above and beyond the norm.

Our third day in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea showed us exactly how diversified and forward thinking Jeff Torode really is. Jeff took us for a boat ride to the Hillsboro Lighthouse at the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Hillsboro Beach where we actually got to climb up the 132 stairs to the top of the Lighthouse and catch a breathtaking view of the Pompano Beach Inlet and surrounding area. Jeff gave us a history lesson of the area and then introduced us to Arthur A. Makenian, President of the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society. He knew every detail about the Lighthouse and about the barefoot mailman, who, as the story goes, got eaten by an alligator after someone “borrowed” his boat and he had to swim across the channel. After the tour, I snuck away to talk with an fellow Navy Submariner, Rob O’Neil, Lodge Host for the Recreational Cottages on the Lighthouse grounds. Retired Military personnel can actually rent two cottages on an available basis by making reservations with Rob at 954-781-1817.

While we were having lunch, Jeff got out the Jetski and Flyboard and we were in for a treat. Think of this new watersport toy as a pair of ski boots attached to Marty McFly’s hover board that connects to the exhaust port of a jet ski with a 35 foot firehose. Put on a life preserve and a helmet, strap yourself into the boots and when Jeff hits the throttle of the jet ski, you go flying upward, up to 35 feet in the air. Lean right, you go right. Lean left, you go left. Lean too much – oh well. You don’t have to be in perfect shape to master FlyBoarding, but the stronger your legs are and the more balance you have, the better. See what Flyboarding is all about at Flyboards of South Florida

Besides pretty reefs and abundant marine life, The Greater Fort Lauderdale area boasts some pretty decent wrecks to dive on. Some old, some new, but all worth diving on. Our awesome DiveMaster Dave guided us on the Aqua Zoo, a Florida Wreck Site with the nickname for the piles of culverts next to the wreck of the Sea Emperor, and then on the United Caribbean, a Deerfield Beach Wreck Dive Site. Diving on these two wrecks with cameras and video was what we needed to get some good footage of the abundant marine life in South Florida waters.

The diving was excellent as always, but the buzz about the upcoming dinner at the famed Cap’s Place Island Restaurant had us looking forward to this dinner all day. We met Jeff at 7:00 pm for a boat ride to a place infamously known for rum-running and gambling, nestled on an island in the Florida Bush. Not a board’s been changed in this island beach shanty since it was frequented by FDR and Sir Winston Churchill during World War II. A favorite restaurant of Jack Kennedy, Cap’s Place is now sought out by TV celebrities. Recognized as a national landmark, Cap’s Place is Broward County, Florida’s oldest restaurant. After drinks, appetizer, entrée and dessert, we knew why Cap’s Place is “Famous For Seafood Since the 1920’s.”

Divers are known for being good stewards of the environment and Brian Gagas of Gold Coast Scuba gave us an opportunity to participate in the Anglin’s Pier and Reef clean-up. After the dive we paid a visit to the Village Grille, right up the sand from the beach clean-up. Village Grille is a seaside culinary feast featuring fresh caught seafood, juicy steaks, crisp salads, sandwiches and many other specialties. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And for those skipping the beach dive and still on breakfast time, I suggest the Egg & Bagel Sandwich!

Wanting to get some more pictures and video of the reefs off of Deerfield Beach, we headed out to make a wreck dive on the Ancient Mariner, an ex-Coast Guard Cutter followed by a reef dive to blow off some nitrogen. When you’re shooting video and taking pictures, every dive is a new experience. If the current cooperates and the weather is good, there is always good footage to get.

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau didn’t want us to go home without showing us the night life of Fort Lauderdale, and the most scenic way to get there is by Water Taxi from Las Olas Marina. Our post-diving adventure continued as we explored the Intracostal Waterways that surrounds Greater Fort Lauderdale. The waterway is lined with multi-million dollar yachts and opulent mansions along Millionaire’s Row belonging to Fortune 500 company CEO’s, celebrities and other socialites. We kept our eyes peeled to see where all the Diving Equipment Manufacturer’s waterfront palaces were, but no luck. Taking a water taxi is a fun way to pass the time and travel from beach to downtown to Las Olas Boulevard’s upscale thoroughfare with al fresco dining and boutique shopping.

Our ultimate destination for the evening would be the Royal Pig. “With a name like The Royal Pig, you’ve got to bring the goods when it comes to meat and poultry. The restaurant even makes its own sausage and foie gras.” The Royal Pig lived up to its reputation for food quality, and the restaurant certainly had an enormous amount of energy in it. Young crowd, loud music, and great service.

On Sunday morning it was time to say goodbye to some of our Media friends and new dive buddies, but not to Fort Lauderdale. Shooters Waterfront just happened to be on the way to the airport and who would pass up an opportunity to have Sunday morning brunch at Fort Lauderdale’s most popular waterfront dining destination. The restaurant features Fort Lauderdale’s most scenic Sunday brunch with a completely new look and a freshly inspired menu. With a 340 foot dock and great valet parking, guests are welcome to arrive by car or boat.

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, M. Silver and South Florida Diving Headquarters could not have been better Hosts to us on this trip. The entire Diving & Dining Experience has made this Author think twice about the way we promote the diving industry and local diving. Thanks to Jessica Savage (Hello Sunny), Aubrey McGovern and Jeff Torode for all the effort you put into promoting local diving in the Lauderdale-By-The-Sea area. We encourage diving and watersports entrepreneurs to market and promote local diving in conjunction with their local Chamber of Commerce and their Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau or their Regional Tourism Bureau. Scuba Diving is a great recreation and it’s more fun when integrated with other lifestyle activities. Here’s to improving the recreational diving vacation experience.

See the complete Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Story in pictures on Southeast Dive News Facebook Page:

Part One: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.744870392242364.1073741828.147381921991217&type=3

Part Two: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.745426468853423.1073741829.147381921991217&type=3

Posted in Travel Destinations | Leave a comment

Danny Grizzard – NAUI BOD Candidate

Posted on October 14, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

by Danny Grizzard
NAUI 3550
1704 Cherry Street
Panama City, FL 32401
Phone: 850-872-8980

Danny Grizzard: Biosketch As a NAUI member for 40+ years and Course Director for twenty I have a vested interest in the continuing success of our organization. By remaining active as a teaching instructor I am in a good position to work with both seasoned and new instructors. It is important that we remember where we came from as an organization as we continue to steer toward our vision for the future. The challenge is to keep our original identity as we move forward. To many the big difference between us and other agencies is the membership aspect of NAUI. This is great area to promote but we must prove we are better. Even in this era of change we must maintain this difference and not anyone take it away or let our competitors use it as a tool to market against us. In many of my ITC’s and other leadership programs I used the slogan “Not the biggest just the BEST”. We need to work together to continue to show the industry, our members, our competitors and most importantly our future students and members that we are the BEST! We should use the expertise available to us to market this Quality difference and not just through the old fashioned ways. We must embrace the current technology, make our programs visible, support our retailers and grow our organization. Lastly, if for any reason I stop teaching actively I will resign as a Board Member and allow someone else to serve. My one goal will be to vote in a way that supports NAUI and our members.

Position Statement: I worked with a non-profit organization for 26 years with twenty-two of those years in management. I served as Diving Control Officer of a local program the entire time and for the entire organization (30+ programs) the last 7 years. This time gave me a huge insight into the working relationships between board members and staff. I know how not for profit boards work from both sides of the table. This experience should be helpful in consensus building as we move NAUI forward. On the diving side I still teach actively at Gulf Coast State College and also conduct Instructor training programs. I begin diving in 1969, became a NAUI instructor in 1973. I am a licensed US Coast Guard 100 Ton Ocean Operator and have operated dive boats on both sides of Florida as well a Live aboard Operation based out of St. Martin as a relief captain. I am a certified scientific diver and worked as Surface Support Supervisor for two saturation missions on the HYDROLAB habitat that was based in Nassau. Since 1978 I have been actively involved in artificial reef development off the coast of Panama City, Florida. During this time I have supervised over 100 reef deployments. I have received numerous NAUI continuing service awards as well as the Environmental Award. I served as Branch Manager for SE until headquarters eliminated the position. I have been published in numerous magazines, wrote a column for the outdoors section of my local newspaper and done regular TV work for two local stations over a ten-year period.

Answers To The BOD Election Questions:

1. I have over 25 years experience working with not for profit boards. I have seen both sides of the staff versus board struggles. I am ready and willing to make hard decisions to make NAUI better.

2. I attended the CD update in Baton Rouge and have three dive masters and two instructors in training now. One instructor in 2011, one instructor in 2012 and none in 2013. (Did get one sustaining member back to active) The push from the bottom up to promote NAUI should give course directors more targets BUT shops and course directors need to begin to actual close the deal. In that same three-year period I had several DM candidates start and drift away. That is something I intend to change this year.

3. I believe the shorter courses could prove to be detrimental to long-term growth of the industry unless we can balance that trend with better continuing education results. We all know divers can be better trained with more time than a weekend program. E learning can be a benefit when used correctly as can most of the other technology tools (dive computers??). We need to use our NAUI foundation to make even the short courses better, the better the diver the better chance of retention in the sport.

NAUI Instructor Supporters:

Chad Barby – NAUI 7583
Bob Brayman – NAUI 6058 L
Dennis Catron – NAUI 7870
Nancy Cohagan – NAUI 39015
Donnie Dawsey – NAUI 39016
Kimberly Cohagan Dawsey – NAUI 39030
Mike Gomez – NAUI 9244
William Horn – NAUI 17511
Jerry McClendon – NAUI 2614: “I have known Capt. Danny Grizzard for over 30 years. We have worked together as boat operators, instructors and team taught leadership courses. He has always been NAUI directed and I have no doubt that he would serve on the board in the best interests of NAUI and its members.”
Gene Muchanski – NAUI 3821 L: I’ve read Danny’s Bio, saw his posts on the NW Member Network and spoke with him on the phone. I am confident that Danny has the necessary back bone to make the tough decisions to move NAUI forward in the proper direction. We need people of integrity and my vote is with Danny Grizzard.
Dan Orr – NAUI 5612: “I have known Danny Grizzard for many years and always found him to be the consummate professional diving educator representing the highest standards of a NAUI instructor. He certainly has my vote.”
George Perez – NAUI 2626: “I have known Capt. Danny Grizzard for over 30 years. We taught ITC’s together and I have had his OW students on my charter boat on many trips. In all those years he has been a strong advocate for NAUI and dive safety in general. His work on artificial reefs is well known along the Gulf Coast of Florida. Danny is a straight shooter. You can depend on him. He won’t tell you that he’s going to do something and then do something else. As one of only four NAUI dive centers in Alabama I have always been able to call on him when needed.”
Al Rhoney – NAUI 13832
Bob Rutledge – NAUI 5127
Charles “Scooter” Sellers – NAUI 16598 L
Captain Spencer Slate – NAUI 5756
Humberto Valle – NAUI 5768

Posted in Industry, NAUI Matters, Training & Education | Leave a comment

BookItGlobal River Clean up 2014

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Robert Klein
BookItGlobal

BookItGlobal River Clean up 2014

San Francisco, CA – September 30, 2014. BookItGlobal is pleased to share the wonderful success of their participation in the American River Clean Up 2014.

Along with other community minded individuals, BookItGlobal shared in a satisfying day of giving back, digging in, picking up and cleaning up one of Sacramento, California’s most treasured resources, the beautiful and historic American River.

BookItGlobal is committed to helping maintain and preserve the river’s access points, swimming holes, trails and bike paths, for the enjoyment of the entire community and visitors alike. If you would like to know how you can participate in helping to keep our parks and rivers clean, please contact us and find out when the next community project will be sponsored in your area.

About BookItGlobal

BookItGlobal is a provider of world-wide customer relationship management (CRM) software and a pioneering cloud computing leader. Our social and mobile cloud technologies help companies connect with customers, partners, and employees in entirely new ways. Thanks to the cloud, all of it comes with low cost, low risk, and fast results.

For more information about BookItGlobal visit us at: www.bookitglobal.com

####

Posted in Press Release, Retail Articles | Leave a comment

Chris Richardson – NAUI BOD Candidate

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

by Chris Richardson
NAUI 17055
109 Jacob Court
Forsyth, GA 31029
Phone: 404-579-7631

Chris Richardson: Biosketch Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, Christopher served in the Canadian Armed Forces from 1984 to 1995.During his service he served in submarines, surface ships and with Land Forces. Operationally he served in the 1991 Gulf War, with NATO and United Nations Peacekeeping forces. Christopher brings broad diving industry experience to NAUI. After leaving the Canadian military he moved to the Cayman Islands, where following a year working in a bar, he worked as a resort instructor, repair tech, dive sales and store manager. In 2000 Chris left Grand Cayman for the United States where he managed a large dive store in South Florida and then spent two years doing dive consulting to the mega yacht community. In 2002 Christopher began his successful career as a sales manager in the Dive industry, representing at various times Mares, Dacor, Oceanic, OMS, Delta P(VR Dive Computers). During his tenor as a Caribbean Sales Manager he held a voluntary position as the NAUI Caribbean Sales Manager. Since 2007 Christopher was a principle with EDGE and HOG Dive gear, a startup of diving equipment with both national and international distribution. He left EDGE and HOG in July 2014 to pursue new opportunities. He first became a NAUI instructor in 1994, taught scuba diving in Tobermory, Ontario, and Grand Cayman, and has been active as a NAUI Instructor, Course Director for Recreational and Technical diving. Christopher has been awarded the NAUI Outstanding Service Award, NAUI Continuing Service award and NAUI Ambassador Award. Christopher’s complete C.V and in detail position statement, can be viewed at www.richardsonforbod.com

Position Statement It’s been an interesting last year for NAUI. While the actions of some have disappointed me, the passion of our members has made me certain of the bright future of NAUI. Our association is unique, our membership, unlike other training agencies(where you are no more a “member” than at the local gym), is really in practice a “Citizenship” in our association. It requires that we as members participate in the process. My NAUI qualifications and experience has allowed me to enjoy a good living in a field I love. I want all and future NAUI leaders to be afforded the same privilege. I feel my experience, knowledge and frankly tenacity will stand in good stead to represent the members of the association at the board level. My intentions are simple, to examine each issues brought to the board in the context of how it aligns with our shared values as NAUI Instructors.

Answers To The BOD Election Questions

1. I wish to leverage my experience and expertise in all aspects of the dive industry to help reinvigorate and strengthen NAUI for the future while being an advocate for traditional NAUI shared values. I bring the unique advantage of experience in both international and the domestic US dive industry. I have a proven track record for innovation and success in business models. A board members responsibility is to be involved yet removed from day to day governance, a sounding board and idea incubator. A member of the board is expected to represent and be responsible to the membership of our association. We are an association of equals, that is something that I would remember, respect and guide me as a board member.

2. Over the last three years I have been awarded the Continuing Service Award (2011) for teaching as an Instructor and Course Director in the Southeast. I have conducted numerous ITW’s, ITC’s, Technical Instructor Programs and have conduced IQP’s for NAUI Instructor Trainers conducting ITP’s. Frankly at this time I am more interested in “creating” more potential divers for our instructors to teach than qualified candidates for NAUI membership. If we create the first the second takes care of itself. We create that pool of potential divers by offering compelling reasons to choose NAUI training over other offerings on the market, frankly we aren’t in a position to outspend our primary competition in marketing, but are easily in a position to “outquality” them creating trained, comfortable and excited divers who become our best marketing effort.

3. I am excited by using technology to improve scuba training, provided it is used to make teaching more efficient and/or as supplementary to time with an instructor. The potential student often seeks faster training, and our industry has been too eager to provide. However poorly trained divers do not stay diving and they do not tell their friends that diving is great! Ideally, skill development and learning takes time. In water skills need to be taught repetitively over a period of time and academic knowledge needs to be comprehended and internalized. Too many “diving” classes today are rushed, leaving students with little skills and knowledge or even fear of diving. As a training agency NAUI needs to address these pressures in a manner that balances the economic and marketing realities with quality standards and a corporate culture that puts the needs of the students first.

Endorsement by Chad Barby, NAUI 7583: I fully support Chris Richardson for the NAUI Board of Directors. NAUI needs people who are Hard Core Drivers that can regain control of its Service Centers.” NAUI Instructors can email me at chadb7583@gmail.com
Endorsement by Bill Childers, NAUI CD 5709 L:
Endorsement by Tom Brooks, NAUI 42340: I fully support Chris Richardson for NAUI Board of Directors. NAUI needs members who have Chris’ experience in the dive industry and are very ACTIVE Recreational and Technical Dive Instructors. Chris’ experience in the Public Safety Diving area will help move NAUI in the correct direction adopting a PSD training program, second to none. This experience and leadership is very necessary to move NAUI forward in this very critical time. I strongly recommend you to vote for Chris Richardson in the NAUI 2014 Board of Directors Election. Any NAUI Instructor may contact me a tom.brooks3@icloud.com or cell 828-329-9911
Endorsement by Ralf Deutsch, NAUI 33589: “After reading through this forum and some related sites, I have decided to give 1 of my 2 votes to Chris Richardson. Chris I will campaign for you among the few NAUI instructors whom I know here in Korea. Good luck and do not believe anyone who tells you that being outspoken is a bad thing! There was much too little of that in the past years in our NAUI.”
Endorsement by Gene Muchanski, NAUI 3821 L: I fully endorse and recommend Chris Richardson for the NAUI Board of Directors. Chris has the experience and leadership necessary to take NAUI to a new level of professionalism. This election is very critical to the future success of NAUI. Last year marked a significant advance for NAUI when Michael Feld, Dallas Edmiston and Rick Lorimor were elected by the Membership and seated on the NAUI Board of Directors. Over 400 NAUI Instructors fought to elect and seat the duly elected board members. That, I believe was the tipping point to NAUI’s recovery in the marketplace. I like to call it “Step One” for NAUI on the road to recovery and regaining its good reputation and prominence. “Step Two” is electing people like Chris Richardson, to ensure that NAUI does not lose the ground it gained in the past year. Chris relates well with the board members who were elected last year and possesses the necessary conviction to make sure that progressive plans for NAUI’s future are put in place. NAUI needs a person with Chris’s conviction and determination to do the things necessary to guarantee NAUI return to a leadership role in the diving industry. If you are not happy with the products, services or communication you are currently receiving from those hired to support you, Chris Richardson will work hard to turn that around. I strongly recommend you vote for Chris Richardson on November 3rd as your next representative to the NAUI Board of Directors.
Endorsement by Dan Orr, NAUI 5612: “Chris Richardson is an outspoken and enthusiastic young man. Although I don’t always agree with Chris on certain issues, if he is willing to roll up his sleeves and put his energy to work to make NAUI a stronger organization, I will support him.”
Endorsement by Captain Spencer Slate, NAUI 5756:

Posted in NAUI Matters, Press Release, Training & Education | Leave a comment

Divebooker and ScubaTribe Announce Partnership

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

FOR IMMEDITE RELEASE
by Tradian Almasanu, Co-founder
ScubaTribe
September 30, 2014

Divebooker and ScubaTribe Announce Partnership

Munich / Vancouver – September 30th, 2014: The online community for diving is small, and when looking for diving bookings and reviews, it is often difficult to find trustworthy companies and reviews. ScubaTribe, a diving review system, and Divebooker, a diving holiday booking system, are proud to announce a partnership. The two companies have teamed up to allow dive centers to have an account with both websites, to showcase their reputation. This will allow divers to research and book their diving holidays in just one location, making it easier for the customers and the diving companies. Starting 30th of September 2014, ScubaTribe reviews will be integrated into Divebooker so the opinions of verified customers will be available throughout the booking process.

According to Dmitry Skripchenko, Managing Director of Divebooker, “We are excited to work with ScubaTribe. We want divers to be able to read reviews about potential venues, as we want them to have a good experience with their adventures. This partnership is a win-win for diving venues and divers alike.”

“ScubaTribe was developed to promote dive related businesses by providing a steady stream of verified customer feedback and analysis,” said ScubaTribe co-founder Tradian Almasanu. “We offer not only verified reviews but also feedback surveys and various data collection solutions. The integration with Divebooker is a natural step for us as it gives our customers greater visibility on the net.”

###

About ScubaTribe

Founded in 2013 ScubaTribe is helping diving related business to harvest the power of customer feedback and market their good reputation by the word of mouth of the 21st century – verified customer reviews. For more information, please see www.scubatribe.com

ScubaTribe – Tradian Almasanu, Co-founder
trady@scubatribe.com
+4915228197147

About Divebooker:

As a global marketplace for booking diving packages and courses online, Divebooker.com makes it easy to browse and compare diving opportunities all over the world, to help you plan and instantly book a perfect diving vacation! For more information, please see www.divebooker.com

Divebooker – Dmitry Skripchenko, Managing Director
admin@divebooker.com
+380675702710

Posted in Media, Press Release | Tagged scuba diving, surveys | Leave a comment

NAUI Endorses Visible Divers’ Point of Sale

Posted on September 23, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NAUI Endorses Visible Divers as the recommended Point of Sale (POS) system for use by NAUI Dive Centers.

“Visible Divers is the most advanced POS in the industry, and they are all about dive center success. We are extremely pleased to coordinate with them to help NAUI businesses achieve the next level of success,” said Mike Dunst, NAUI Territory Representative Manager.

Visible Divers is already endorsed by dozens of the leading equipment manufacturers, but this is their first endorsement by a certifying agency. This endorsement includes special benefits and discounts in the Visible Divers program to NAUI affiliated dive centers.

“We’re honored and excited to work with NAUI,” said Stephen Ellis, President of Visible Divers. “Their reputation for diving standards is extraordinary, and our modern technology will help their stores operate easily and reach today’s diving customer.”

The agreement between the two companies maintains the privacy and individuality of each. NAUI and Visible Divers retain their independent status and information, providing uncompromising data privacy and security. Although the agreement comes with special benefits to NAUI members, Visible Divers will continue its ability to securely support any dive store from any agency.

The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI Worldwide) has been teaching the world to dive safely since 1959. As the largest non-profit and most respected dive training and certifying organization in the world, NAUI offers a full range of training programs from Skin Diver through Instructor Course Director, with dozens of specialty courses including Nitrox and Technical diving. To learn more visit www.naui.org. NAUI can also be found in booth 1955 at the 2014 DEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Visible Divers, Inc. is the fastest growing software company built just for the SCUBA industry that provides full-service dive store management including Point of Sale, scheduling, accounting, social networking, unlimited free support and more. With the ability to work anywhere in the world on any device, it’s the most versatile and powerful system for complete dive store management.

For more information, sign up for a free account at https://www.visibledivers.com and contact Visible Divers directly by email or phone at jira@visibledivers.com or 888-832-3483. Visible Divers can also be found in booth 949 at the 2014 DEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Posted in Business Improvement, NAUI Matters, Products, Retail Articles, Training & Education | Tagged Dive Centers, POS Systems, scuba diving | Leave a comment

Marty Snyderman – Professional Photographer

Posted on September 23, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

Dive Industry Profile Series
Marty Snyderman – Professional Photographer
by Gene Muchanski, Editor
The Dive Industry Professional

Marty Snyderman is a professional photographer, author, educator, speaker and Emmy Award winning cinematographer who inspires underwater photographers around the world with his fascinating photographs and insightful marine articles. We caught up with Marty at Scuba Club Cozumel (Mexico) while he was teaching photography seminars and workshops with Bonnie Pelnar. It was a pleasure to sit down with an Underwater Photography Icon who is so well liked in the industry and is doing rather well for himself these days.

Marty Snyderman worked in the film business for over 25 years. Marty kids that he actually had a full head of hair when he started diving. A career in the diving industry started in earnest for this Arkansas native when he was managing a Dive Store in San Diego, California back in 1975. In those days, San Diego was the epicenter of a relatively new diving industry and Marty had the pleasure to work at Chuck Nicklin’s retail dive center, the San Diego Diving Locker, with another budding photographer, current-day IMAX film producer Howard Hall.

Back in the day, the entry level ticket to work in the diving industry was to become a Scuba Diving Instructor. So with a total of 27 dives under his belt, Marty graduated from the NASDS Diving Instructors College, and placed first in his class. One week after becoming an instructor Marty worked at an NASDS Instructors Clinic as an Instructor Evaluator – and we won’t tell you how many students he had certified at that point. But it was fewer than one.

Marty’s early photography mentors were the legendary Jim & Cathy Church, Jack McKenney, and, of course, his friend Howard Hall. His first piece of photography equipment was an underwater strobe he bought because Howard wrote down what he should buy on a napkin on the way home from a dive trip to the California Channel Islands. Marty and Howard became close friends and managed to get the same day off from the store so they could go diving together and polish their photographic skills. Marty dived a lot in San Diego and improved his photographic skills while using amphibious Nikonos cameras which were the industry standard in those days.

Marty’s bio reads like the best of the best in Who’s Who so we will not attempt to replicate it here but rather link you to his web site – About Marty Snyderman

Marty Snyderman is currently the “Marine Life Editor” at Dive Training Magazine, The Monthly Magazine For New Divers & Their Instructors. He enjoys his work at Dive Training Magazine because he likes and respects the people he works with, and he has noticed that his “Happiness Factor” is way up. Sounds like he has the best of both worlds.

Always on the lookout for interesting experiences, Marty enjoys initiating his own projects rather than be re-assigned to something that he’s done many times before. As we talked, he was finishing his photography seminar with Bonnie Pelnar and starting to pack for his next self-assignment – Filming Saltwater Crocodiles in the Yucatan.

Today, because of weight limits when flying internationally, Marty laughingly states that he normally travels with 3 cameras, 4 strobes, 2 underwater housings, and 1 pair of underwear. In a tight pinch, the underwear would be the first to go.

Looking back as one of the industry’s more accomplished photographers, Marty has some encouragement and great advice for the up-and-coming Underwater Photographers. “If you really want to do something, then it’s do-able. I promise, if I could make a career out of underwater photography, others certainly can.” He continued to say that new photographers “need to put in their time, not be afraid to try things, and understand that they will fail along the way. Everybody that gets anywhere in life fails at some point. Don’t let a bit of failure beat you.”

For more information about Marty Snyderman:
email: marty@martysnyderman.com
Web: www.martysnyderman.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/marty.snyderman

About Marty Snyderman

Residing in Solana Beach, CA, Marty Snyderman is one of approximately 75 people inducted into DEMA’s SCUBA diving Hall of Fame, Marty S is a proud recipient of DEMA’s 2008 Reaching Out Award. He is an EMMY Award winning cinematographer, accomplished still photographer, author and speaker specializing in the marine environment. The Marine Life Editor of Dive Training magazine, Marty produces at least three columns a month in every issue, including the underwater photography column entitled Behind The Lens and a natural history column entitled What’s That. Marty represents Dive Training magazine in Hawaii, and he teaches underwater photography seminars in dive centers in North America and at destinations around the globe. He is also the Senior Editor and a columnist for California Diving News, and the co-author of a series of apps on underwater photography.

Marty’s still photography has been used by the National Geographic Society, Nature Conservancy, National Wildlife Federation, REEF, Oceana, the Shark Research Institute, and many major publications, natural history museums and aquaria that express interest in marine wildlife and related issues. Marty serves on the Board of Trustees of the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), an organization that utilizes citizen volunteers around the world to provide data for research scientists studying the health of the world’s oceans.

Marty’s cinematography has been seen on numerous National Geographic productions, the PBS series Nature, the Discovery Channel, the BBC, ESPN and many other networks around the world. He also filmed the underwater segments in the Warner Brother’s hit Free Willy, a major theatrical release, and has worked on numerous award-winning series.

###

Posted in Industry Profile, Underwater Photography | Tagged Dive Training, Marty Snydermen, photography, scuba diving, underwater photography | Leave a comment