PADI Tribe Now 20 Million Certifications Strong and Growing

3 August 2011 - The PADI organisation, consisting of dive professionals and divers around the globe, expects to reach a major milestone before the end of third quarter 2011 - its 20 millionth diver certification. To celebrate this occasion, PADI Regional Headquarters around the world are sponsoring the “Countdown to 20 Million” campaign, which will award the diver who earns the 20 millionth certification with a trip to dive Australia’s Great Barrier Reef aboard the MV Spirit of Freedom. The PADI Instructor issuing the 20 millionth certification, as well as the affiliated dive center or resort, will each also receive a trip to this natural wonder of the world.

“In 1966, Ralph Erickson and John Cronin had an idea about a better way for people to learn to dive. That the PADI organisation has grown from the two of them to more than 20 million testifies to the power and wisdom of their vision” says PADI Worldwide Chief Executive Officer Brian Cronin. “It also shows how a mutual passion for diving unites the PADI family around the world. Twenty million certifications only happens because PADI professionals lead diving. I salute their achievement.”

The Countdown to 20 Million campaign includes a comprehensive public relations effort coupled with promotion in PADI digital media outlets and a daily, updated countdown counter at padi.com.

Tourism Queensland has graciously provided the land and air portion of the prize packages to the Great Barrier Reef – the world’s largest reef system and one of the natural wonders of the world – including roundtrip airfare to Cairns, Queensland, Australia, four nights accommodations and excursions to explore the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest, a Cuddle a Koala Experience and an Aboriginal Cultural Experience. The MV Spirit of Freedom is generously sponsoring the dive portion of the prize package, which includes a three-day, three-night liveaboard adventure to iconic dive sites like Cod Hole and the Ribbon Reefs, plus a low-level reef flight between Lizard Island and Cairns. The diver receiving the 20 millionth certification will receive a prize package for two, and the certifying instructor and affiliated dive center or resort will each win a trip for one.

“Each of the 135,000 PADI Members around the world not only share a passion for diving and the underwater world, but influence and lead diving in the local community,” says PADI President and Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Drew Richardson. “It’s this leadership, backed by passions, interests and convictions, that magnified John and Ralph’s concepts into a global movement of literally millions of people who identify with PADI. As PADI Divers travel locally and internationally, they look for PADI Dive Centers, Resorts and Professionals because they are reassured by the common connection that unifies us as a family or tribe.”

Visit http://www.padi.com for details regarding the Countdown to 20 Million Diver Certifications contest.

Contributed by Tim Hochgrebe added 2011-08-15