sales strategies to help them with their purchase. One obvi- ous approach is to offer various “Big Three Bundles.” These different bundles should balance budget along with quality. A word of caution however is that you must ensure that you are not violating dealer agreements or minimum advertised pricing (MAP). There are also various financing options, like Synchrony or Klarna. You may also consider a layaway pro- gram. As an inducement, consider offering a free pool ses- sion to shake down their new gear. There is no doubt that scuba diving is an extremely gear intensive sport. It seems that there is always one more piece
of gear to purchase or upgrade and new divers can be over- whelmed very easily. They will seek out your advice and guidance. Consider starting your dialog with the big three - the regulator, buoyancy compensator and dive computer - three essential pieces of dive equipment that should allow your divers to become more competent and safe as well as
help keep them engaged in diving. Both the dive shop and the student have made a signifi- cant investment in certification. Selling the big three can help everyone see a return on that in- vestment.
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INDUSTRY NEWS Dr. Sylvia Earle’s Focus On Ocean Conservation – by John Christopher Fine, J.D., Boynton Beach, FL
“Einstein was a pretty smart man but he didn’t know what kids know today. He didn’t see the Earth from outer space,” Dr. Sylvia Earle re- marked at the Future Wavemakers symposium, held at Florida Power and Light’s Manatee Lagoon complex on
to Florida. “Wavemakers sparks curiosity for kids to dive in and learn about the oceans. We are teaching the next generation what’s happening. We ask: What’s the one action you can do to make an impact?” Gabrielle said. “We are looking at the next generation of ocean leaders,” added moderator Danni Washington. “Wavemakers started as a small ripple.” Their mantra – that even a ripple can make a difference
the Intracoastal Waterway in Riviera Beach, Florida. The event championed ocean conservation and Dr. Earle’s am- bassadorship promoting individual commitment to saving the seas.
– was echoed by 18-year-old Ryan Moralevitz, who began picking up plastic trash at age four. “I got told ‘no’ bunches of times. I kept going. Every- body, no matter your age, can make an impact. Just pick up one plastic bag to keep it from blowing into the ocean and killing marine life,” he said. “I’ll never forget that moment,” Dr. Earle reflected, recalling her own youth underwater, sitting still as a fish
“We need the ocean. The ocean really needs us,” she told a large audience of outdoor enthusiasts, parents, teachers, and young people who came for break- fast overlooking the water and to hear in- novators share their dedication to making an impact. With plastic debris and drastic pollu- tion threatening the world’s oceans, Fu-
Gabrielle Mcgee (left), Dr. Sylvia Earl (right), Wavemakers Symposium
ture Wavemakers has taken responsibility not only for educating and inspiring young people to act, but also for addressing Florida-specific conservation challenges to pro- tect marine wildlife and ecosystems. Founded by Gabrielle Raymond McGee, the nonprofit began as a school incentive program and has grown into a major platform bringing scientists and experts together to restore the ocean and secure its future. Gabrielle, inspired by a TV program featuring Dr. Earle when she was six, cre- ated the organization that would later bring her hero back
and lobster approached. “Just letting things happen. Give life a chance. At 90 years old, I’m a witness. We can change.” She continued, “There are plastics in the ocean that didn’t exist when I was a kid. Sharks are being depleted. It’s never
too late. My inspiration came from national parks. The ocean is a system favorable to us. What are you going to do with the gift of being alive? Make that little ripple – you can make an impact.”
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