We have been asked to share this message from NAUI Worldwide Chairman Michael Feld:

In challenging times like these, it’s ever more important that we communicate with each other to share the collective implications of what we are all going through, and continually build a common sense of purpose and hope. COVID-19 has forced circumstances upon us that we are continuing to absorb. There is no one who isn’t affected in some way, and most have seen major impacts to their businesses, livelihoods, and daily lives.

As a worldwide association, NAUI has a special kinship with its members. We are not a monolithic organization, but an Association of equals, all working together for a common cause, with common needs and goals. Our collective success is dependent on the health and well-being of all our members and the vibrancy of our member businesses. The Board of Directors and the leadership and staff at NAUI Services Group (NSG) think about this all the time and are deeply committed to making sure we come through this situation better and stronger on the other end.

The impact on all of us is being felt in many meaningful ways. Dive trade and consumer shows have been postponed and businesses have been put on pause. In the United States and abroad, gatherings are highly discouraged or outright forbidden, with more draconian measures under consideration or already in place. It is likely that there will be more restrictions of movement as time goes on until this virus is under control and abated. We don’t know all the implications yet, the situation is highly fluid, but we are doing everything we can to be nimble and prepared for anything coming our way.

As a modern educational organization, we have advantages that we can leverage. E-Learning is available in an ever-expanding number of languages and more will be coming online as time passes. In-home activities are necessarily on the rise, and this is a perfect time to consider a marketing strategy that will include not only e-Learning, but virtualized academic sessions and planning for future practical sessions and open water dives. Best of all, we have the most competitive pricing in the industry, which makes doing business as NAUI easier during difficult times.

NAUI members are the best trained, most innovative in the industry. We know how to think outside the box and make the best of difficult circumstances. As NAUI leaders, we are trained to deal with adversity, and we can now use that training to its best advantage.

Remain assured that despite the current crisis, our operations are running at full strength to meet member needs. Staff is being virtualized but still delivering at our normal high level of performance. Member Services staff are here to serve you, and we on the Board of Directors are here to make sure we get through this and are ready for the inevitable brighter chapter to come. Together, we will all get through this. Know that all of us at NAUI are thinking of you and wishing all of you the best.

I especially want to acknowledge the hard work and fortitude of our intrepid staff at headquarters. They are working diligently through these very difficult circumstances and adapting moment by moment to shifting business and personal landscapes. We appreciate everything they do.

We will stay in touch with further communications and will update you with important information as it becomes available. In the meantime, we urge everyone to stay safe and follow the CDC and medical expert advice and guidelines in order to remain healthy, preserve your operations, and be ready for what comes after this crisis has passed. We are going to be living with this virus for some time, and we will need to devise strategies to both be safe and continue to thrive.

Feedback is welcome, and we look forward to working together to serve members through these challenging times. You can email us at marketing@naui.org.

Warm regards,

Michael Feld

Chairman, NAUI Worldwide

www.naui.org