During the last months we have been working to ease accessibility and flow when registering your kite center, offering more front and backend services to existing and new schools as well upgraded the IKO Standards across the board. Read this email carefully and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Easy Affiliation-
The school affiliation form has been translated into six popular languages; Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, German, French and English. The form itself has been simplified and is easier than ever to fill out. Compulsory boat requirement for Centers has been removed in some spots when schools can prove that the spot security is organized in a different way. We also released a free affiliation plan to help schools and independent Instructors begin the process with IKO. The primary requirement to register is having a valid insurance for the kiteboarding center.
There are many benefits you obtain once you affiliate your school which includes, though not limited to: The right to use the IKO logo and to advertise as an IKO Center which raises your school’s credibility and value proposition; additionally you can certify your students as they learn, and the perk of boosting your school in online presence due to IKO’s reach online. To top it all, this entry level affiliation is quick, easy and free!
Affiliate your center now
Improved SEO for your IKO Center
This past month we have done some backend changes that will help increase your school's online presence. Additions in country + location to your IKO Center’s URL will help your center be found online. We highly recommend fully completing your IKO profile and asking us for help if needed.
Don’t forget to upload new HD photos to your gallery to give a glimpse into your IKO Center to future students and Instructors!
Update your IKO Center information now
IKO Center Back-End Services Improve-
As an IKO Center, you can now certify students directly on your profile. When hosting Pro Courses, individuals can reserve their spot directly on the website and manage the rest of their booking and payment directly with your Center. Make sure when planning a pro course to check your school profile to see the message from potential candidates.
We are also now working on implementing a new feedback system for IKO Centers to Instructor. We would like to know what rating criteria as a Center would you like to have for your Instructors?
Read how to follow up your bookings
IKO Quality Control Efforts Continue Internationally
Over the years we have encountered and handled many cases of IKO imposters; they have harmed the image of quality across all IKO Centers and Instructors. As a community, we found this unacceptable and have decided to work together to ensure the safe growth and development of the sport. We are now taking new measures coming into effect in January to improve and control the high-quality standard internationally.
Beginning 1st of January 2018, any IKO Instructors that are teaching independently and promoting themselves as a business must register themselves as a business to continue using the IKO name and logos. Any Instructor who is independent and not registered as business risks being sanctioned and issues with the DMCA.
This quality standard update will be an effort to maintain the quality internationally for both IKO Centers and Independent IKO Instructors. Whether you are a Center or Independent you will need valid insurance, up to date IKO status and access to either a boat or safety unit if it applies to your spot.
We have made a free affiliation for both centers and independent Instructors which can be found here. We highly recommend you fill out your affiliation form sooner rather than later to avoid issues.
If you have any questions, comments or recommendations please email us back here.
Windy Regards,
IKO
