PADI® Members are invited to join Drew Richardson, President and CEO of PADI Worldwide, for a “live” virtual event on Wednesday, 16 December 2020 at 3:00 pm PST. Richardson will address the current state of the industry, what PADI has planned for the year ahead and how the dive community can rally around a collective mission to save the ocean.
“If this were a ‘normal’ year, we would be meeting in-person at trade shows and events, and the PADI Staff and I would have the opportunity to discuss member support and benefits, and introduce new products and programs for the coming year to many of you face-to-face. While how we meet is certainly different this year, the need to connect remains of utmost importance,” says Richardson.
One of Richardson’s greatest priorities is, and always has been, maintaining open dialog with PADI Members around the world. To meet the needs of these times, this has included regular emails to the PADI membership over the past several months, aptly dubbed “Straight Talk.” The upcoming virtual event will elaborate on these communications via a special Straight Talk Live to keep PADI Members well informed about the organization’s focus and direction, and how these benefit PADI Dive Centers, Resorts and Professionals on the road to recovery.
“I have connected with many, many PADI Members throughout these past several months, and each and every one has been uniquely affected by these times,” says Richardson. “The path ahead will be different for all, but the entire PADI organization remains focused on getting PADI Professionals back to work, supporting PADI stores and resorts, driving divers back to PADI Members and leading dive industry recovery. Your insights have been instrumental in shaping our strategies and, as we look ahead to the future, I am excited to share all that we have planned for the coming year.”
