Major Training Agency Launches Universal Retailer Promotion

SIMPLE GIVEAWAY TO DRIVE TRAFFIC TO ALL RETAILERS

In an effort to increase Dive Center’s walk in traffic and create an opportunity for retailers to present product, travel and services to their diving consumers face to face, Scuba Diving International ™ (SDI) and Technical Diving International ™ (TDI) have unveiled this simple yet effective retailer traffic and business building promotion.

Divers will be asked to visit www.tdisdi.com/freewraps and simply fill out some very basic information about themselves as well as their favorite local Dive Center. As a special thanks for their commitment and dedication to the recreation of diving SDI/TDI will in turn send two FREE NITROX TANK WRAPS to the diver’s favorite facility.

The offer is truly FREE; there is no shipping, no handling or any fees applied. The consumer is asked to please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery to permit the anticipated volume of orders to be met.

The Retailer then has the opportunity to receive an “additional visit” from the dive consumer when they stop in to get their FREE NITROX TANK WRAPS!
This promotion IS OPEN TO ALL DIVE INDUSTRY RETAILERS (to receive consumer traffic) in a gesture of unity and dedication to the industry, as well as ALL DIVE CONSUMERS (to receive FREE Nitrox Tank Bands). Cris Merz National Sales Manager had this to say about the promotion, “It is a pleasure to be able to give something back to the diving public, after all this is a $14 value excluding any other related fees and it is absolutely FREE”. When questioned about the “wisdom” of making this available to ALL RETAILERS Merz further added, “A rising tide raises all ships, if we can do a small gesture that will better the retail environment then ultimately we all win”
Retailers can choose to participate absolutely FREE by helping spread the word via their blogs, store Newsletters and store signage by directing divers to www.tdisdi.com/freewraps giving the Retailer yet another opportunity to communicate with his/her customer. It is an easy way for any Retailer to take ownership of this promotion and capitalize on the good will that goes hand in hand with FREE!

For information about Scuba Diving International or Technical Diving International, contact International Training at (207) 729-4201 or b y visiting their website at www.tdisdi.com. Scuba Diving International™ (SDI) is the sport diving certification branch of the world’s largest technical diving agency, Technical Diving International™ (TDI). Also included in our family of training solutions is Emergency Response Diving International™ (ERDI), the only global public safety certification agency.


Others follow… SDI, TDI, ERDI leads

SSI Announces New Ownership

Congratulations to Doug McNeese and Robert Stoss on the acquisition of SSI. I'd like to take this opportunity to wish Gary and Linda Clark and the rest of the family well as they depart the dive industry.

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DOUG MCNEESE AND ROBERT STOSS TAKE THE HELM OF SSI WORLDWIDE AND ANNOUNCE AN EXCITING FUTURE FOR THE DIVING INDUSTRY.

Fort Collins, Colorado – Scuba Schools International, the premier education and business support organization, announces a change in ownership. March 26, 2008 marked the official changing of the guard – Doug McNeese and Robert Stoss, two recognized industry experts, have joined forces to provide the company with a wealth of experience in all facets of the diving industry: Training, Retail, Manufacturing and International Business.

Doug McNeese (President and CEO) has been involved in the diving industry since the age of 10 when his family opened up their first dive store. In 1982 he purchased ‘The Dive Shop’ from his father and began the expansion of the company.

In 1993 Doug purchased NASDS and in late 1998 merged with SSI. Nine years following the merger, Doug is and will continue to be a driving force in the promotion of SSI Worldwide and strengthening its growth through retailers and manufacturers. Doug strongly believes that the “doorway to diving” is the retailer. His passion is to go beyond what has been done, bring more people into the sport and to make scuba diving a lifetime activity.

“In Europe, Asia and Australia, SSI Regional Centers are growing and gaining market share. In the USA successful retailers continue to join SSI based on a proven business model of creating divers and selling scuba equipment. Resorts in the Caribbean, Red Sea and Pacific are also joining the SSI Network so they can access the hundreds of thousands of SSI Divers around the world,” stated McNeese.

Robert Stoss (Chairman) has been actively involved in diving since 1977 as an avid diver, instructor and retail store owner. For 10 years, from 1987 to 1997, Robert had a successful career with Scubapro® with the final position of Vice President and Business Unit Manger of the North American Diving Division of Johnson Worldwide Associates in Racine, WI from 1993 – 1997.

A new opportunity led Robert back to Germany in 1997 where he purchased Seemann Sub®, a leading German manufacturer and importer for a full line of scuba diving equipment. Over the last 10 years, under Robert’s guidance, Seemann® has earned the reputation as the innovative leader in the price to value dive gear segment. In 2007, Seemann Sub was acquired by Johnson Outdoors.

“I joined the SSI Network in February of 2003 as the licensee of the newly formed SSI European Service Center. SSI Germany has since taken a leadership position in the European professional dive market and today is head to head with the leading agency in Dive Center membership,” says Stoss. “I am confident that this new partnership with Doug will create unique opportunities for SSI retailers, instructors and resorts worldwide.

The Clark family is leaving Scuba Schools International on a high note. From a worldwide perspective, the SSI brand is more widely recognized now than ever before. The company is in peak financial shape and beat its all time high sales and profit goals in 2007. Although there will be a change in ownership SSI will remain focused on the success of the retailer and instructor. SSI understands that dive centers are the gateway to our sport and the backbone of the industry.

“We are very excited about the huge opportunities in the diving industry,” McNeese and Stoss continued. “All we can say is - prepare to be amazed.”

Visit the SSI website at www.diveSSI.com

Scuba Schools International Business Consultants – Hand Picked for the Job

SSI continues to serve the dive industry with a staff of highly-qualified Business Consultants ready to help dive centers.

Scuba Schools International (SSI ) the premier education and business organization focuses on the needs of Dive Retailers through skilled SSI Business Consultants and just the right tools.

SSI is serious about the achievements of dive retailers and the representatives who deliver that information. The uniqueness of the SSI Business Consultant TEAM is their credentials. Each representative was hand chosen due to their professional background in diving, managing or operating a retail dive store and their rich history in the diving industry. These hand-chosen individuals are experts in diagnosing and prescribing the various SSI business tools and educational programs designed for results.

"When we began our business 15 years ago, we did not research our certifying agency and know now that was a mistake. There was a day when I had trouble selling a single BCD who would have guessed after putting together $1500 - $3000 Total Diving Systems that they would sell themselves. Our gear sales tripled in the first year and we have never looked backed. Now, we only look forward to keep our systems fresh with the newest styles and accessories. If you do not have total diving systems in your store you are letting precious dollars slip out your door" – Debbie Knight, Knight Diver Aquatic Center.

Doug McNeese, SSI Executive Director stated, "We realize that education is the beginning of every sale in a dive store and our business model is designed to maximize that potential! Not only are certifications up, but so are our dealer’s sales. By and large, this comes from the work of our Business Consultant TEAM."

Regions are broken into Western-Ed Salamone, Midwest-Watson DeVore, South Central-Eric Peterson, Northeast-Daryl Bauer, Southeast-Kirk Mortensen, and Caribbean Resorts-Lisa Mitchell.

These skilled individuals truly understand what it takes to run a successful dive store and resort and are dedicated to your success. When you become an SSI Dealer, these professionals will go to work for you. They will meet with you and crossover your staff to help everyone become familiar with the SSI System of products and programs. The objective in the crossover is not to retrain your already qualified instructors. We understand they already have the necessary skills to train divers. Our goal is to familiarize them with the SSI Philosophy and how to maximize the potential of every student.

SSI's goal is to improve dive retailer’s profitability and success by utilizing fully developed business strategies and high quality educational programs. At SSI , we believe your success equals our success.

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For more information about Scuba Schools International visit www.diveSSI.com