PADI Announces First Ever "AmbassaDiver Summit" to be Held at the Great Barrier Reef

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. (July 7, 2026) – PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), the world's leading educational organization for diving and water activities, today announced the inaugural PADI AmbassaDiverTM Summit, a global gathering of ocean thought leaders, divers, creators, and conservationists, to be held later this year at Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

In partnership with Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) and Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), the summit will take place in Cairns and across the Great Barrier Reef region. Attendees will experience the unique allure of the area through immersive programs that showcase world-class diving, cutting-edge conservation initiatives, Indigenous culture, and the region's rich natural environment.

Celebrating 60 Years of PADI and 150 Years of Cairns, Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef

The event will commemorate PADI's 60th anniversary and the 150th anniversary of Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Dr. Drew Richardson, President and CEO of PADI Worldwide, stated, "For 60 years, PADI has empowered people to experience the transformative power of the underwater world and become ocean advocates. The AmbassaDiver Summit is an initiative to pass this movement on to the next generation of leaders. Bringing together influential individuals at the Great Barrier Reef, one of the planet's most biodiverse locations, will provide an unparalleled opportunity to inspire millions to 'Seek Adventure. Save Our Planet.'"

Why the World's Largest Coral Reef Was Chosen as the Host Location

The Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia, was selected as the host location because it embodies PADI's purpose. As the world's largest living structure, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and one of the planet's most vital marine ecosystems, the Great Barrier Reef serves as a living classroom for exploration, conservation, and marine management. The region also boasts Queensland's Wet Tropics rainforest, making Tropical North Queensland the only place in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage sites exist side-by-side.

Mark Olsen, CEO of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, which secured the bid for the first-ever PADI AmbassaDiver Summit 2026 in Cairns, commented, "We are incredibly honored that Cairns has been chosen as the host destination. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the beauty and health of the Great Barrier Reef, and the passionate people dedicated to its conservation. This initiative is the third reef conservation project supported by the Australian Government, and it presents a new opportunity to demonstrate how tourism can play a positive role in the management and regeneration of the Great Barrier Reef. Influential divers and conservationists from around the world will be able to experience firsthand the commitment of local tourism operators to environmental stewardship. Travelers are directly contributing to the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef through the 'Environmental Management Charge,' and local operators are actively working to reduce their environmental and social impact through carbon reduction and various certification programs."

During the summit, participants will experience the best of Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef through diving excursions on liveaboard vessels, educational dives led by Master Reef Guides, Indigenous cultural experiences, marine conservation activities, and collaborative leadership sessions focused on the future of diving and ocean conservation. These initiatives will provide a firsthand look at the advanced conservation, education, and regenerative tourism practices that position the region as a global leader in sustainable tourism.

Following the summit, AmbassaDivers will deepen their understanding of other regions of the Great Barrier Reef through experience programs in Townsville North Queensland, The Whitsundays, and Bundaberg Southern Great Barrier Reef. These programs will highlight the incredible diversity of reef experiences, conservation efforts, connections to Indigenous culture, and community-led conservation initiatives found throughout Queensland, Australia.

Deep Dive into "Wellness" at the Summit

Australia has recently been recognized as a leading wellness tourism destination. Tropical North Queensland, home to Cairns, offers a unique blend of the Great Barrier Reef, rainforests, Indigenous culture, and nature experiences, providing opportunities that foster both personal well-being and environmental stewardship.

Global wellness brands Garmin and Neuro will also participate in the summit. Both brands share a common ethos of adventure, performance, exploration, and unlocking human potential, aligning perfectly with the PADI community's values. Garmin's industry-leading health, fitness, and diving technology enables monitoring of key wellness metrics, from sleep and recovery to stress and overall fitness. Their market-leading DescentTM dive computer series empowers divers to explore the underwater world with confidence and precision.

Neuro is a leader in functional wellness products designed to support focus, balance, energy, and recovery. Founded with inspiration from life-changing diving trips, the company has deep ties to the diving community and is currently one of the largest corporate supporters of the PADI AWARE FoundationTM, funding critical marine conservation efforts worldwide.

"Neuro was born from a diving trip, so the ocean has always held a very special place in our hearts," said Kent Yoshimura, Co-Founder and CEO of Neuro. "Supporting PADI and participating in the first AmbassaDiver Summit is a direct reflection of the values we uphold daily: supporting people to perform at their best and protecting the world that inspires our exploration."

PADI AmbassaDivers Converge on Australia

The inaugural PADI AmbassaDiver Summit will bring together a diverse group of creators, explorers, athletes, musicians, and marine conservationists, each with millions of followers.

* Captain Jason Chambers: Renowned television personality and marine conservationist.

* Luv K Raft: Japanese music unit with over 100 million total SNS views.

* Brandee Anthony: Popular mermaid performer on social media.

* Doudou: Leading Chinese marine videographer and environmental activist.

* Aakash Malhotra: Leading Indian adventurer and content creator.

* Cha Ocampo: Highly popular wildlife conservationist and creator in the Philippines.

Connecting the Future of the Ocean from the Great Barrier Reef to the Next Generation

As PADI celebrates 60 years of transforming lives through diving, the first AmbassaDiver Summit aims to prove the power of diving to connect like-minded individuals, immerse them in nature, foster personal well-being, and inspire action for the ocean.

"The first PADI AmbassaDiver Summit will serve as a global foundation for the most influential ambassadors in the diving community to convene annually," concluded Dr. Richardson. "It will foster lasting relationships and help shape the future of diving, conservation, and the marine environment for decades to come."

About PADI

PADI® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors®) is the world's leading educational organization for diving and water activities, with more than 6,600 dive centers and resorts, 128,000 professional members, and more than 30 million certified divers to date. PADI is dedicated to contributing to a beautiful planet by opening the door to the underwater world for everyone and supporting people worldwide to experience, explore, and protect the underwater world. For over 60 years, PADI has been the "Way the World Learns to Dive®," setting the standard for quality diving training, underwater safety, and environmental conservation initiatives, while also evolving diving into a life-enriching lifestyle. "By divers, for divers," PADI is passionate about transforming lives and, together with the global PADI AWARE FoundationTM, creates positive change for the ocean.

URL: www.padi.com

About Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ)

Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) is the Queensland Government's lead marketing, destination and experience development, and major event attraction and management agency. TEQ works in partnership with industry, government, and regional tourism organizations to drive tourism to Queensland and grow the visitor economy.

URL: https://www.queensland.com/jp/ja/home

About Garmin

With the concept "Engineered on the inside for life on the outside," Garmin provides new value to adventurers, athletes, off-road enthusiasts, travelers, and outdoor lovers. The company is committed to developing products that enhance user experience, enrich lives, and provide peace of mind, while continuously challenging itself by viewing each day as an opportunity for innovation.

URL: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/newsroom/

About Neuro

Founded in 2015 by university friends and athletes Kent Yoshimura and Ryan Chen, Neuro offers a new value in the gum and mint market with science-backed formulations that support energy, focus, calm, and sleep. Its flagship "Energy & Focus" gum and mints are formulated with naturally derived caffeine, L-theanine, and B vitamins. Utilizing patented cold compression technology and high-quality, sustainable ingredients, Neuro supports sustained, smooth energy without the crash. With over 500 million units sold worldwide, Neuro helps people around the globe approach their daily activities with clear thinking and stable condition.

URL: https://neurogum.com/

About Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ)

As the destination marketing organization for Cairns & Great Barrier Reef, TTNQ is committed to balancing the positive role tourism can play in conservation and regeneration, with the ultimate goal of creating mechanisms for all travelers to directly contribute to conservation. TTNQ has launched global campaigns to raise awareness of the Great Barrier Reef's community and cultural significance, and received the "Regenerative Travel's Global Impact Awards 2025" for Initiative of the Year. These projects are supported by grants from the Australian Government under the "Reef Educational Experience Fund" managed by Austrade.

URL: https://tropicalnorthqueensland.org/jp/

About Cairns

Cairns is a city located in the state of Queensland in northeastern Australia, blessed with a year-round tropical climate. It is the closest Australian city to Japan, easily accessible by direct flight in approximately 7 hours with only about a 1-hour time difference, making it a convenient destination for Japanese travelers. Adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, and tropical rainforests, it offers the unique advantage of experiencing both the sea and mountains in a short period. Furthermore, it provides a variety of activities such as snorkeling, diving, and the Kuranda Scenic Railway, and its compact city center offers excellent convenience. The city is also actively engaged in conservation efforts in collaboration with Tourism and Events Queensland and the Australian Government to protect its beautiful natural environment.

<Cairns Tourism Official Information>

Cairns Tourism Official Japanese Website: https://www.tropicalnorthqueensland.org/jp/

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