Dan Orr on our industry and the Corona Virus [COVID-19] pandemic.

The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has presented our industry and our world with an unprecedented set of challenges. With an industry that is built upon outdoor experiences, and exists to inspire and enable divers to see and experience the underwater world, it’s hard to fathom that destinations providing some of the world’s best diving experiences have, out of an abundance of caution, have temporarily closed access. Our hearts and thoughts go out to all those resorts, dive operations, dive retailers, scuba instructors and divers that have been impacted by this unprecedented crisis.

While uncertainty still lies in the days and months ahead as we navigate this unfamiliar territory, what is certain is that our collective love of our industry and our sport remains strong. And it’s with this inspiration that, as long as we stand together (maintaining the appropriate ‘social distance’, of course), we can keep our sport strong and industry viable. We look forward to a time when we can return to enjoying the sport we all love.

As we move forward into the future, the Academy is considering all the options available regarding the 2020 NOGI Awards Gala. At this moment, the 2020 DEMA Show and the NOGI Awards Gala are still scheduled to take place in New Orleans, Louisiana in early November. We will keep the NOGI Fellowship informed as information becomes available and decisions are made regarding these events.

As we all do our part to help control and, ultimately, defeat the coronavirus pandemic, we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. We pray for a time when all of this is behind us and we can, once again, safely gather together to celebrate our friendship, our fellowship and a world free from this catastrophic disease.

Stay safe and healthy!

Dan Orr, President