PBC Publisher Honoured at OMOA Convention

Bill Taylor, Publisher of Power Boating Canada magazine, was honoured with a special award at 2000 Ontario Marine Operators Association convention in Hamilton. Bill received the Gord Blake Visionary Award for his vision and creativity in the marine industry. OMOA Secretary Michael Kelly noted that Bill brought a little bit of Hollywood to boating in Canada with the introduction of Poker Runs.

It was just 16 years ago when Bill first came up with the idea to use a high-profile boat to launch a magazine dedicated to promoting power boating across Canada.

Presentation speech for the Gord Blake Visionary Award delivered by OMOA Secretary Michael Kelly

" Power Boating Canada magazine is a well-known icon throughout our marine industry. From its position of power, it would seem as though the magazine’s history paralleled the history of Ontario boating. But it was only 15 short years ago that Bill Taylor launched the publication that would forever change the face of Ontario’s marine community. And through that time his vision has helped etch the message into the minds of power boaters throughout the province –– power boating is not an industry, it’s a lifestyle.

Bill’s philosophy towards power boating has never wavered from his original concept –– to use the pages of Power Boating Canada magazine to generate excitement about the power boating experience and share it with power boaters.

He has always promoted the growth of power boating throughout the country by keeping readers on top of the latest news, trends and developments and most of all, to portray the joy of power boating.

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He did it first with the magnificent 38-foot replica of the Miami Vice boat, a twin-engined Scarab built to thrill audiences at boat shows across the country. By bringing a little bit of Hollywood to the shows, he was able to hype the crowds about the power boating phenomenon.

He did it again with the Don Johnson Signature edition 43-foot Scarab that acted as Power Boating Canada’s trademark. Most recently, Bill introduced a 43-foot Fountain as the flagship in Power Boating’s fleet.

But, no mention of Bill Taylor would even begin to be complete without referring to the Poker Run phenomenon which, for the past dozen years, has captivated boaters and audiences across Ontario.

Known as the Father of Poker Runs in Canada, Bill had a clear vision as he and his crew launched the Runs. What seemed to some to be nothing more than a great way for a bunch of power boaters to have fun, was the biggest promotional idea Bill ever brought to fruition. He believed the Poker Run would be the most powerful vehicle to promote excitement in the sport of power boating. And he was right.

Today, Poker Runs are well known, and act as the foundation for many waterfront celebrations across the province. It’s hard to imagine a summer without them. Just as it’s hard to imagine an industry without Power Boating Canada magazine.

Let’s show our appreciation to the person who used his imagination to move an entire industry...Bill Taylor."