The Academy of Underwater Arts & Sciences (AUAS) has announced that tickets to the 65th annual NOGI Awards Gala are now available for purchase.
The event will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Wednesday, November 4, 2026 in the Carondelet Grand Ballroom at the Marriott Hotel on Canal Street from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
Considered the oldest and most globally recognized award in underwater endeavors, the NOGI Awards honor individuals who have made outstanding peer-nominated career achievements across five distinct disciplines. The 2026 honorees are:
- Arts: Jonathan Bird
- Sports & Education: Richard “Richie” Kohler
- Science: Professor Simon Mitchell
- Distinguished Service: Howard Rosenstein
- Environment: Cristina Zenato
In addition to the main awards, the evening will feature presentations for the Zale Parry Scholarship and the AUAS/DAN Diving Medicine Scholarship, alongside the Women Divers Hall of Fame induction and pinning ceremony for its 2026 members.
Highlighting the importance of the recognition, AUAS President Dan Orr said:
“The NOGI Award is the oldest and most globally prestigious award in the recreational diving world, recognizing individuals who have made significant career contributions to the sport, the industry and the world in the Arts, Sciences, Environment, Sports/Education and through Distinguished Service.”
Tickets for the black-tie-optional evening are available for $195/~€171/~£146, which includes a reception drink, a three-course dinner, wine and coffee and can be ordered here.
