While becoming a PADI Five Star Instructor Development Center (IDC) store is much prized, this exclusive rating comes with the responsibility of training the next generation of divers to become PADI Instructors. PADI’s commitment to a continuing education philosophy encourages divers to realize their dreams of a career as a PADI Pro, teaching others to do what they love – to scuba dive.
PADI Five Star IDC Dive Centers and Resorts are the cornerstone of creating these instructors, and the PADI EMEA Professional Development Excellence Award recognizes these stores for the time and effort they dedicate to marketing and conducting the professional training needed to grow the scuba diving industry.
Congratulations to PADI EMEA Five Star IDC Dive Centers and Resorts earning the 2026 PADI EMEA Professional Development Excellence Award.
Will You Be One of The Recognized Five Star IDC Stores in 2027?
The 2027 PADI EMEA Professional Development Excellence Award is already underway and renewed PADI EMEA Five Star IDC stores are automatically eligible. Stores that reach the recognition levels during 2026 will receive their award in the first quarter of 2027.
For more information about the award, download the Summary Document and FAQs or contact your Regional Manager.
Enhanced Marketing Opportunity for Awarded PADI EMEA Five Star IDC Stores
PADI EMEA Five Star IDC stores that have received the PADI EMEA Professional Development Excellence Award will enjoy enhanced promotion of their professional level courses to global PADI Divers from April 2026.
To make the most of this increased marketing opportunity, these stores simply need to list their professional level courses on the PADI Dive Shop Locator, and we’ll do the rest.
To see links for the most productive stores in 2025, listed by country, please follow this link: Become an Instructor with the Winning Stores
