It was ten years ago when CEOs and directors of several performance boat builders joined me for a business lunch during the Miami International Boat Show at the Biscayne Bay Marriot to discuss a concept for a new publication, specifically catering to the interests of the performance boating community and focusing on our popular poker run events. While the conception was immediately acknowledged by an unanimous decision, little did we realize it would become the voice of the performance boating community. In fact, Poker Runs America has fueled this enjoyable sport to more than 100 events annually across North America and it's still growing!

We had, of course, many years of experience as Poker Run event organizers, and our staff of expert writers, photographers, and boaters embraced the project with the gusto and energy that has characterized every issue of Poker Runs America Magazine.

Over the years, the tremendous support of almost the entire industry has helped the poker run phenomenon grow into one of the Cinderella stories of the boating world. With the opportunity to participate in safe, well organized, and interesting family events, performance boaters introduced their friends to a whole new approach to this upscale boating lifestyle, and this sector of the boating community grew by leaps and bounds. We toured the continent to locate new venues that would provide the best facilities for poker runners to enjoy their sport, and the schedule of Poker Run events grew from a handful of weekends a year to the hundreds of events that now take place during the boating season.

We were proud to share our expertise in the poker run event field with many clubs and organizations catering to the performance boaters, through the APRA (American Poker Runs Association), which has now grown to the point where in 2007 we will take the Poker Run mystique to a whole new audience, with the birth of our international division. Soon, enthusiastic boaters will be able to experience venues around the world - now that's a milestone that we could only dream of back in 1997.

It's been a wonderful decade for Poker Runs America Magazine, and as we prepare for the upcoming season, the future for the sport of performance boating promises to hold many new discoveries. It's going to be an exciting time, and all of the staff at Poker Runs America Magazine look forward to bringing you the very best that boating can provide for the entire family. I personally look forward to working with you and seeing you at the events for another 10 years.

William E. Taylor, Publisher

(Feature Article: Poker Runs Are Here To Stay)