Cris joined International Training in 2006 and currently conducts the team of Regional Managers in North America dedicated to ensuring our members are kept up to date, introduced to our new products, changes and advances with the company and expanding new business. While not managing the sales team, Cris’ department overviews business development in the Caribbean, Central and most of South America. Cris still gets underwater as much as he can now that the office moved to Florida and splits his time cycling when he is not diving around the coast of Florida or wherever life takes him
Reasons Scuba Diving is the Perfect Activity for Couples
It doesn’t matter if your relationship is new or old, going great or sorting through some ups-and-downs, scuba diving will strengthen your relationship in ways that a week of bingeing Better Call Saul won’t be able to do. Increasing your communication with your partner, enjoying planning an activity together, finding the benefits of problem solving as a couple, having fun doing what few people do regularly, and then sharing that fun is a great way to spend time on a Valentine’s Day weekend, honeymoon, or any time you want to spice up your lives as a couple.
Where do I buy dive gear?
People are fans of shopping online and it isn’t just the “younger” generation. Baby Boomers and Gen X’ers have just as many online purchases as Gen Y or Millennials. As a matter of fact, 96% of Americans with internet access have made an online purchase in their life, 80% in the past month alone. This past Cyber Monday was the first $2 billion mobile shopping day in the U.S. Around 81 million Americans shopped online that day. And why shouldn’t people buy online? Some of the most common reasons have been repeated over and over again in surveys and data research explaining the continuous boom of online sales. Here are some that stick out.
Behavioral Marketing in a Digital World
Imagine a world where you could sell a product to a consumer who’s looking to buy exactly what you sell. If you feel like the struggle of satisfying qualified prospects and leads to become a customer for yours is becoming harder and harder, it may be time to face reality. It may be because the way you do business and marketing is no longer relevant.
The Importance of Sharks in Our Ocean – more than just Awesomeness
We get it, sharks are scary man-eating animals. Life would be easier and safer if they weren't around right? Wrong. Sharks are a very important piece of our ecosystem and the absence of them would do much more harm than it would good.
That is the Last Straw
Have you seen the #StopSucking campaigns going around social media lately? Wondering what they're all about? And why straws are so bad anyways? As always, we're here to help and fill you in on the details.
Scuba Diving in Grand Cayman – A Diver’s Paradise.
Looking for your next dive destination? How about Grand Cayman? Looking for shore diving, check. Reef diving, check! Wreck diving, Check! This place has it all and a trpoical desitation perfect for your next relaxing getaway.
Selling Training Online
Did you know you can get credit for your customer's e-learning courses? Now you do! And you most definitely should be doing this. We're walking you through exactly how to do it so you can get the credit for all your courses.
Haenyeo : The last of the greatest generation of women divers.
Though the tradition of free diving in Jeju dates back to 430AD, it wasn’t until the 18th century that women became the dominant force in the free diving trade.
How to “WIN” at Retail and Visual Merchandising
Today, consumers like shopping online, it isn’t your fault – it is the way we do things now. However, what we can do is to learn how to make our store warmer, friendlier and more appealing than our competitors. Here are a few tips that can help you as a retailer improve.
Stop Discounting, Add Value
While most retailers think that by making things cheaper they will be able to close the sale easier because people focus a lot on cost, well, that’s just lazy selling.
Do What You Love as a Career
You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. - C. S. Lewis
What is YOUR favorite Dive Site?
I was asked to put down a list of the top ten destinations in the Caribbean according to Yelp and decided against it. You can “Yelp” it yourself.
9 Ways Your Store Can Increase Sales and Revenue
What worked yesterday may not work today so it may be time to reinvent ourselves – again.
Do You Tip Your Flight Attendant?
Tipping can be a delicate topic that people tend to awkwardly dance around at times.
Tools and Resources for Facilities
Often when a new dive center joins the SDI-TDI-ERDI family there is a bit of a learning curve with all the new tools and resources that they now have access to.
Why Did I Open My Big Mouth?
Aquaworld was celebrating their 30th anniversary and decided that they would host a bash that included a 12k and a 6k race in the hotel zone of Cancun on the 8th of May. Now pay attention to that date because it’s important.
What to Look for in a Local Dive Shop?
Finding a great dive center is not always easy, but it doesn’t have to be difficult either and if you find these three elements, you are on the right path.
Which Specialties Make Sense for Me?
You may already have the answer to the direction you want to take, but if you don’t, here are a few tips to assist you.
5 Tips for a Safe and Fun Night Dive
Diving at night is diving in another world and it should not be taken lightly… even if you have dove the same site, time after time during the day, doing so at night will bring you to a new world, with new shadows and new life.
3 Reasons Your Mask Leaks
Three topics will be covered that may assist a diver with mask leakage issues: hair, mask size, and mask quality.
3 Conversation Starters Among Scuba Divers
What makes for good fun conversation over a cold beverage after a day of diving?
3 Tips for Diving Nitrox Safely
The best way to prepare and plan is to follow three core tips when diving Nitrox. 1. Analyze 2. Label 3. Set Computer
Amazing Underwater Encounters
View some of our amazing underwater encounters, and send us yours too!
Open Water Certified, Now What?
There is so much out there with continuing education, sometimes it can be a little bit overwhelming trying to choose what the next steps should be. A lot of it may also depend on the region you live in and what your local dives may entail. The bottom line is… the adventure has just started.
Nitrox – When to Dive It
by Cris Merz:
The fantastic stories about voodoo gas seem…
The fantastic stories about voodoo gas seem…
Media Luna Hotel y Resort Looking for an ADVENTURE OFF the beaten path?
Recently, La Media Luna Facilities joined the growing ranks of…
Connect with Cris
Want to be a contributor?
Great, send us your details below and include your story?