20 years of Watermark’s historical highlights

1994

August: With a staff of three, Watermark publishes its first 24-page issue featuring Winter Park’s Amanda Bearse (Married With Children) on the cover.

1995

August: Todd Simmons signs on as editor as Watermark expands to Tampa Bay.

1996

May: Watermark grows to 60 pages, begins printing in four-color process and features its first national advertiser—Miller Brewing.

1997

June: Watermark produces the first large-scale nighttime party during Gay Days Weekend as more than 2,500 attend Beach Ball at Typhoon Lagoon.

1998

April: Watermark introduces a new tabloid-size magazine format and introduces a distinctive “W” masthead logo.

June: Watermark obtains permission to hang rainbow flags throughout downtown Orlando during Gay Pride Month. Televangelist Pat Robertson predicts doom, and the ensuing debate mobilizes the city’s LGBT community.

September: WatermarkOnline.com debuts.

1999

June: With 5,500 attendees, Beach Ball at Typhoon Lagoon sells out.

October: Watermark purchases and relocates to an office complex in Orlando’s Colonialtown South area. The newspaper also opens Tampa Bay offices at the Suncoast Resort.

2000

April: Watermark expands coverage to the Sarasota/Bradenton area, increasing circulation to 18,000 every two weeks.

May: Watermark produces its first glossy guide to Gay Days Weekend.

2001

March: Watermark hires Scott Smith as its first full-time editor.

September: Watermark Entertainment Group, Inc. (WEGI) produces comedy shows during Gay Days Weekend and TIGLFF. After 9/11, two more planned events are canceled.

November: The Watermark Awards for Variety and Excellence (WAVEs) debut.

2002

February: Watermark sells Beach Ball to Mark Baker Productions.

March: Watermark acquires publication rights to Celebrate! in Key West, and names former contributor Mike Kilgore editor.

2004

September: Watermark commemorates its 10th anniversary the night before Hurricane Jeanne—the third hurricane of the summer—hits Orlando.

2005

May: Watermark hires Steve Blanchard as its first full-time Tampa Bay bureau chief.

September: Watermark sells Celebrate! to a local publisher in Key West.

2006

October: Editor Dave Weithop dies unexpectedly of a cancerous brain tumor.

2007

June and September: Watermark publishes its first programs for St. Pete Pride and Orlando’s Come Out With Pride.

October: Watermark brings rainbow flags back to downtown Orlando for Come Out With Pride.

2009

January: Watermark lays off four staff members after the recession causes a 35% reduction in ads—mostly real estate. Publisher Tom Dyer resumes editing the newspaper.

May: Watermark hires Jamie Hyman as online editor for a redesigned WatermarkOnline.com.

June: Steve Blanchard is promoted to Watermark editor.

2010

June: Watermark joins with Mark Baker to produce Stratosphere at Universal Studios during Gay Days Weekend.

2011

June: Watermark joins with AlandChuckTravel.com to produce Fire & Ice Weekend at the Postcard Inn during St. Pete Pride.

2014

January: Tom Dyer’s “I’m Sorry” interview with Charlie Crist goes viral, trending on HuffPost.com, MSNBC.com, CNN.com and other national media.

August: Watermark publishes the 25th anniversary program for the Hope & Help Center’s Headdress Ball in Orlando.

September: Watermark celebrates its 20th anniversary. Founder and owner Tom Dyer promotes Rick Claggett as publisher.

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