Concept Boats owners ventured to Bimini in late July for the company’s annual poker run from Florida to the Bahamas.
More than 30 boats participated in the 45-mile run that departed from Florida’s Key Biscayne and met up at the Hilton at Resorts World Bimini. From there, the boaters ventured out to the islands around the Bahamas.
Photos courtesy Concept Boats
About a third of the participants in this year’s run had never run a boat to Bahamas. Susan Patterson, vice president of sales and marketing for Concept Boats, said they showed the boaters how to clear customs and unique boating spots on the island.
“Lewis Avila (owner of Concept Boats) and I have been going over there since our younger days,” Patterson said. “We wanted to show then how easy the trip is to make.”
Patterson said the group had good weather for the trip over to the Bahamas and the two nights spent in Bimini. Concept Boats had meetups at the pool but the participants planned their own activities. Poker runners received a gift bag from Concept Boats.
The Opa-locka, Florida, builder launched the poker run 12 years ago as a way to connect with its customers. About half of the participants this year had done the run previously, Patterson said.
“Everyone we spoke with had a great time,” Patterson said. “Our goals was for everyone to have a good time and be around fellow Concept Boat owners.”