During the Miami International Boat Show in February, we crowned the first official Poker Run World Champion at our exclusive gala evening in trendy South Beach. The signed guest list read like a Who's Who of Performance Boating, representing over 600 of the continent's top marine industry members, poker run teams, racers and event organizers.

The incredibly successful Boat Show Bash set the stage for one of the hottest, most action-packed and fun-filled summers in the history of recreational performance boating. The fireworks have just begun.

Even if you didn't get a chance to attend the season-opening poker run in Sarasota, Poker Runs America and its growing team of APRA-sanctioned member organizers have put together a schedule of upcoming events guaranteed to slake any self-respecting performance boater's thirst for entertainment and hunger for performance.

On the more exotic end, we've been busy putting the final touches on our upcoming planned poker run in Cancun, Mexico. We'll keep you posted as things develop. Meanwhile, performance boaters looking for an equally exotic adventure can sign up for our inaugural weekend festival in Quebec City. The June 11-12 poker run takes place in a world-renown tourist destination that delivers a unique blend of Old World European charm, five-star restaurants and a host of attractions guaranteed to please the palate.

In addition to our High Stakes Casino du Lac-Leamy Poker Run (call 1-800-354-9145 for details; space is very limited), mark this August 13-15 on your must-attend poker run calendar. Those are the new dates of our internationally renown 1000 Islands Poker Run which Powerboat magazine rated No.1 of North America's Top Ten (read all about it in our Fast Facts section).

Our 1000 Islands event, which returns to its original location in Kingston, Ontario, promises to be one of the most remarkable international poker runs you'll ever attend. Kingston (home of Dan Aykroyd and the world famous Limestone Blues Festival) is a nationally designated historical site, complete with War of 1812 military reenactments and sunset fireworks at majestic Fort Henry. Offering a first-rate selection of five-star hotels (within walking distance of poker run boats) and fine dining, as well as fabulous shopping and nightlife set against a cultural backdrop of art gallaries and museums, Kingston will be an event to remember. Make sure to book early - space is limited to a maximum of 150 boats.

In the same light, don't forget to check out upcoming events organized by our select group of APRA members. Turn to our poker run calendar in this issue and look for events highlighted by the APRA logo! ( Top )