The Miami International Boat Show is always a must-attend event on any serious poker runner's calendar, but especially so this year. Mark the date right now - Friday, February 17 -when we will host our annual Poker Runs America Miami Show Bash, and crown the 2005 World Champion Poker Runner.

Have you won a poker run anywhere in North America in 2005? Then this is your chance to go for the ultimate bragging rights by playing in the Game of Champions. Draw your best cards at our Miami Boat Show Party and you could be crowned World Champion - just like James Lee, who won the prestigious honor last year. You'll find more information elsewhere in this issue.

With over 2,300 exhibitors spanning more than 2.5 million square feet of exhibit space, the Miami International Boat Show is the largest boat show in America. As you read this, we're just putting the final, finishing touches on our special Miami Show Guide. This invaluable look at what's hot for 2006 will help you navigate those docks and aisles so you don't miss a thing. Look for it in our next issue, Volume 9-2, which will be at the show. Just stop by our exhibit to pick up your complementary copy.

As reported in our last issue, the Miami show will once again be the venue for the American Poker Run Association's annual Safety Summit. This vital conference will bring together a veritable who's-who of performance boating, including boat manufacturers, dealers, poker run organizers and insurance companies, to review safety procedures and examine potential rule changes for the 2006 season. For more than 19 years, the APRA has taken a leadership role in promoting safety at its sanctioned events. Poker Runs America will be there, so look for a full report in an upcoming issue.

You may notice a few changes to this issue of Poker Runs America. I hope you like our fresh, inviting new look. In the coming issues, you'll find more event coverage than ever before ... more cutting-edge technical features to help you get the most out of your boat ... and more of the personality profiles that have always been the hallmark of Poker Runs America magazine. But even with the larger photos, new typeface and expanded coverage, what won't change is our commitment to bring you the top performance boating magazine in the world. When you're in Miami, please stop by our booth and let us know what you think. After all, this is your magazine.

William E. Taylor, Publisher