News
BSAC Diving Conference reboot a big success
This year’s BSAC Diving Conference is being described as a triumph and the best conference in years. The new breakout sessions were well received, as were the improved delegate packs, greater opportunities to have meaningful discussion, top-notch external speakers and free drinks at the end of the day.
The day delivered a sense of unity as the challenges and opportunities of the organisation were shared and members fed back. The increased opportunity for members to discuss and feedback on topics important to them was well received.
As Mick Barraclough from Bradford Sub-Aqua Club put it: “I particularly enjoyed the interactive sessions that gave us an insight into the forward plans of BSAC. They were an innovative way to test out new ideas and thoughts.”
The open forum session saw many topics raised. And it wasn’t just a case of delivering answers; the committee members were taking on board feedback with interest. The strength of feeling on one issue – voting for students – is now being taken to the next Council meeting in November, and many other areas will be looked at as result of feedback from members at the conference.
BSAC Marketing Manager Debbie Powell who led on the changes for the event is delighted with the outcome from the day. “The positive feedback so far has been overwhelming, I’m thrilled. We won’t sit still though and when the feedback survey data is in we’ll look at evolving the event further in 2016.”
The keynote speakers – world-renowned hyperbaric doctor Professor Simon Mitchell and shark expert Cristina Zenato – didn’t fail to impress as they informed and entertained the conference audience. Advocate of BSAC, Simon Mitchell summarised his thoughts of the organisation at the beginning of his talk.
“I’m struck by what is in front of me. I don’t know if you know how unique you are. I travel the world speaking at meetings like this… there’s nothing else like this, this is a club, a club with thousands of members, running its own training programme and surviving in this commercially hostile environment. It’s extraordinary. I can tell you there’s nothing like it in the world. I can only offer my congratulations.”
If you have any feedback on the conference or ideas for future events, email conference@bsac.com.
Over the next 12 months, specialist scuba holiday company Dive Worldwide will be supporting Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation with donations collected from client bookings to any one of its stunning dive destinations around the world. The independently-owned operator expects to raise £3000 for the UK charity.
Manager at Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “We’re especially excited to work with Bite-Back and support its intelligent, creative and results-driven campaigns to end the UK trade in shark products and prompt a change in attitudes to the ocean’s most maligned inhabitant.”
Bite-Back is running campaigns to hold the media to account on the way it reports shark news along with a brand new nationwide education programme. Last year the charity was credited for spearheading a UK ban on the import and export of shark fins.
Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Dive Worldwide for choosing to support Bite-Back. The company’s commitment to conservation helps set it apart from other tour operators and we’re certain its clients admire and respect that policy. For us, the affiliation is huge and helps us look to the future with confidence we can deliver against key conservation programmes.”
To launch the fundraising initiative, Phil North presented Graham Buckingham with a cheque for £1,000.
Visit Dive Worldwide to discover its diverse range of international scuba adventures and visit Bite-Back to learn more about the charity’s campaigns.
MORE INFORMATION
Call Graham Buckingham on 07810 454 266 or email graham@bite-back.com
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Just in time for the spring season, divers can save money with the FREE OCTOPUS SPRING PROMOTION! Until July 31st SCUBAPRO offers an Octopus for free
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