ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 21, 2010 –- BoatUS Magazine has received two 2010 APEX Awards. The 22^nd Annual Awards for Publication Excellence recognizes outstanding publications from newsletters and magazines to annual reports, brochures and websites.  Nearly 4,000 entries were received.

In the design category “Spreads,” the work of the BoatUS Creative Services Department led by Art Director Carla Shamblen was singled out for an “Award of Excellence” for a November 2009 two-page spread that incorporated a dramatic and energy-filled photograph by Steve Bly that depicts a fly-fisherman casting in the Florida Keys .

An inspirational and poignant feature by Contributing Editor Ann Dermody on the first African-American yacht club in America titled “It Was a Club of Their Own,” took an APEX “Award of Excellence” in the feature writing category. This is the second time the story has been singled out for recognition – it recently took a first-place honors in the 2009 Boating Writers International Annual Writing Contest. When a copy of it came to the attention of the White House, President Obama sent the yacht club’s founder, Bob Martin, a letter praising his work in the Washington, DC, community.

“Solid writing on unique topics presented with engaging artwork have produced a new, more exciting magazine and it’s been a hit with our readers as well as the contest judges,” said BoatUS Magazine Publisher Nancy Michelman.

###

 About BoatUS:

BoatUS – Boat Owners Association of The United States – is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing government representation, programs and money saving services. Its flagship publication, BoatUS Magazine, is the largest circulation recreational marine publication in the US reaching over 525,000 members with engaging content that speaks to their passion for the boating lifestyle and experience on the water.