By the end of this week at the Miami International Boat Show, Stu Jones is going to need a refreshing drink. The Florida Powerboat Club founder and president has been working the show, so to speak, for more than three decades and he’ll be running hard this week. No matter how much you love your job, it’s still a job. Routine is routine.
Fortunately for Jones, that drink awaits him at the fourth annual Florida Powerboat Club/Speed On The Water South Beach Bash on Friday, February 13, from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Sagamore Hotel on Collins Avenue. The celebration is open for Florida Powerboat Club members and invited guests of Speedonthewater.com.
From there, Jones and his crew will head to the Middle Florida Keys for the February 19-22 Hawks Cay Rendezvous. The Florida Powerboat Club leader isn’t complaining, but he is amazed on what this month has become for his organization, its sponsors and its members.
“It’s hard to believe but I’ll be celebrating my 36th consecutive year of working at the Miami Boat Show,” he said. “It has turned into much more than just Boat show for FPC and our extended powerboating family.
“It was 1993 when we started hosting the FPC Miami boat show bash,” he continued. “In 1996, we started what we called the ‘Miami boat show Manufacturers Rally to the Keys.’ The event was designed to promote the performance boat builders and have fun in the Keys”
Jones paused, then chuckled and sighed.
“While the details and format for all three events may have evolved over the years, it’s generally the same exciting fast-paced routine every February, which makes it a very exciting time for FPC, staff and members,” he continued. “But the big bonus is heading to the Florida Keys for four days of powerboating.
“Sometimes it doesn’t seem like a job,” he added, then laughed again.