ADEX Sustainable Diving Dialogue: Transforming your business for a Blue Economy

This event is open to everyone joining ADEX — industry and consumers.

Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) 2023

Sustainable Diving Dialogue: Transforming your business for a Blue Economy

Sunday, 2 April | Time: 12:00-13:00 hrs (UTC/GMT+8)

Underwater360 Main Stage (Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore)

Overview

The UN Environment Programme (COBSEA Secretariat) is hosting an event in partnership with The Reef-World Foundation (Green Fins international coordinator), and UW360. This dialogue aims to explore how the dive industry can become more sustainable, involving various stakeholders such as dive centers, liveaboards, booking agents, manufacturers, media, and training agencies.

The discussion will focus on crucial topics like preventing plastic pollution, conserving coral reefs, and promoting sustainable business models. Industry leaders, movers, and shakers in sustainability will share their insights and examples of sustainable business models during an interactive discussion. Attendees are encouraged to engage with the panelists, share their ideas, best practices, and questions, and learn more about pursuing a sustainable business model for the diving industry.

Target audience

This event is designed for representatives from all segments of the diving industry including dive professionals, operators, liveaboards, resorts, travel providers, diver training organizations, manufacturers, photographers, the media, and others. Our goal is to provide actionable insights that will help you align your business with the market of the future, making it more profitable and resilient by adopting sustainable business models.

Key issues to be discussed

• Dispelling the myth that sustainability has to be expensive: Reef-World's recent Sustainability Survey has identified cost as one of the biggest barriers to the uptake of sustainable practices in the industry, especially in the post-pandemic restart phase. This event aims to debunk the myth that sustainability is expensive by sharing evidence that sustainable practices have reduced operational costs by up to 70% in some areas. We will feature stories and solutions from industry leaders who are adopting cost-sensitive environmental solutions in their businesses.

• Unlocking the value of sustainability: Companies in the diving industry are interested in finding ways to increase the visibility of and market sustainability. Research shows that post-pandemic dive tourists are interested in more sustainable holiday options and are willing to pay more for sustainability. However, they need more transparency around environmentally-friendly options to avoid greenwashing. The event will focus on how authenticity in showcasing environmental ethos and practices can help promote sustainability and avoid greenwashing. The event will showcase stories of businesses that have benefited from sustainability by unlocking higher-value products that also deliver on local conservation needs, connecting with local governments and partners on conservation efforts, and unexpectedly enjoying financial benefits as a result.

Speakers

Moderator: Natalie Harms, Secretariat of the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA), UN Environment Programme

Panelists:

• Elaine Wallace - Owner, Bunaken Oasis Resort and Spa (Green Fins DIgital Member)
• Paul Tanner - Territory Director, PADI (Training agency)
• John Thet - CEO, UW360 (Media)
• David McClinton - Owner and Director, Ceningan Divers and Resort (Green Fins Top 10 Certified Member)
• Bo Mancao - Underwater Imager
• Adam Broadbent - Founder & CEO, ZuBLu (booking platform)

Key takeaways of the event

The event offers a unique opportunity to connect with leaders in sustainability and gain valuable insights into sustainable practices in the diving industry. Key takeaways include:

1. Gain valuable connections with leaders in conservation and sustainability, allowing you to build relationships and collaborate with others in the industry.

2. Gain insight into the latest post-pandemic business trends and learn how to incorporate sustainability into your business practices immediately, including practical tips for reducing costs and increasing profitability.

3. Discover how to effectively communicate your sustainability efforts to consumers, building trust and loyalty with your customer base.

4. Learn how adopting sustainable practices can attract more customers who are willing to pay more, return for more, and promote your services among their online networks.

Overall, the event offers a unique opportunity to gain practical knowledge and actionable insights into sustainable business practices, helping you to align your business for the future and increase your profitability and resilience.

More information on how to join ADEX here