Florida Powerboat Club Confirms Commitment To Key West Poker Run

With the fate of the 2020 Race World Offshore Key West Championships very much in question, Stu Jones, the president of the Florida Powerboat Club, confirmed that even if the November 8-15 races are cancelled he plans to push forward with the 28th annual Key West Poker Run. The FPC event is scheduled for November 11-15.

“I reached out to Key West city manager Greg Veliz via text and email,” said Jones during a telephone interview yesterday evening. “I explained to him that while we have a relationship with Race World Offshore, we are autonomous and that our event is very different than theirs. I pointed out that our members are flexible and adaptable, and don’t mind abiding by COVID-19 guidelines.”

The Key West Poker Run is the Florida Powerboat Club’s signature event. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix/speedonthewater.com.

Veliz responded to Jones through email.

“I appreciate the correspondence and have read the scope of your event,” he wrote. “Honestly, I can’t find any aspect of your event that would necessitate you obtaining city approval. I must caution however that the rules of both the state, county and municipality are changing daily, and that there may be a rule regarding hotels, restaurants, or marinas that could affect your plans. I suggest we keep the lines of communication open and we keep each other informed of potential changes.”

If the 2020 FPC Poker Run happens, the Poker Run Village is out. Photo by Florida Powerboat Club.

Jones said there will be a couple of significant changes to the format of the event, which receives no funding from the Monroe County Tourism Development Council or Miami-Dade County, if it is allowed to happen. The FPC Poker Run Village will not be set up at the Conch Republic Seafood Company, the run’s longtime host venue, and there will be “no formal dinners, meetings or functions” during the event.

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