Florida Powerboat Club Finalizing Key West Poker Run Details From New Headquarters

Fall is always the busiest time of year for the Florida Powerboat Club as its biggest events—last weekend’s Emerald Coast Poker Run and November’s Key West Poker Run—happen back to back. And this year’s short turnaround between events is even more complicated than usual, but for a very positive reason. The outfit is settling into its new offices in Pompano Beach, Fla.

More than 200 Florida Powerboat Club members have registered for the Key West Poker Run so far. Photo by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Helmkamp Photos.

“We still have a lot of unpacking and organizing to do,” said Stu Jones, the president of the club. “The new facility was an old professional building, which had been vacant for over five years. The structure consists of four different suites that were primarily used for medical and professional services. It provides FPC staff with a much larger office footprint, giving everyone more room to enjoy their work environment and a much better location for those employees who live in the Pompano beach area.”

That includes Jones and his wife, Jackie, who live a mile from the Florida Powerboat Club’s new digs. They can walk, bike or even take a golf cart to work, though Jones doesn’t currently own one.

“I think it’s time to get one, “ he said, then laughed.

Jones purchased the club’s former headquarters in 2006. Though it served the business for 18 years, a change was necessary.

“Our needs have changed, and we are now less reliant on ‘warehouse’ space and more reliant on open office space,” he explained. “I think this new facility is providing us with exactly what we need.

Jones is delighted with the new Florida Powerboat Club facility (shown in its final version in the rendering above), which is a just a mile from his home.

“Once we complete our ongoing renovations and get settled in, I plan to host some FPC member-receptions during the fall and winter months, and make this facility more of an FPC welcome-center,” he added. “I think this is something that we’ve always needed and I look forward to getting that in the works.”

Though the club’s transition to new its offices is ongoing, Jones and company have not slowed preparations for the upcoming Key West Poker Run set for November 5-11. So far, more than 200 club members have registered for the event. The current roster is still growing and does not included all sponsor boats, Jones said.

As it did last year, the club is offering Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday departures for the run.

“Once thing that is noticeable, as always,” he said. “The total crew members per boat has increased dramatically in recent years with the influx of larger center consoles. Fifteen years ago, the average crew size was probably four of five people per boat. Now, we are seeing upward of eight to 10 people per boat.”

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