Download the Friday, February 20 Talkin' Tourism show HERE.

Coming this week: Stuart Sailfish Club, Film & Television Production, and the Feb 25th Martin County Tourism Development Council meeting

Guests this Friday, February 27, will include Ed Killer and Gary Scott.

Ed Killer, a native of the Treasure Coast, contributed to the Stuart News as a freelance sports and outdoors writer beginning in 1994 before being hired full time as the Scripps Outdoors Writer in 2005. His coverage includes daily fishing reports, weekly features, a weekly column and event coverage with fishing, boating, hunting and other outdoors activities. This week on Talkin' Tourism Ed will discuss the history of the Stuart Sailfish Club and its contributions as the earliest “Tourism Promotion” organizers in Martin County.

Gary Scott is head of production at New Vision Productions, Inc. He was born in Manhattan, New York, went to high school in Hollywood, Florida, and attended college in New York City. His major wasn't film production, but you wouldn't know it by looking at the list of movies and TV shows he has worked on: Mr. Nanny (shot in South Florida) starring Hulk Hogan; A Price Above Rubies (Boaz Yakim), Bullets Over Broadway (Woody Allen), Gloria (Sidney Lumet), Men In Black (Barry Sonnenfeld), Sleepers (Barry Levenson), The Mirror Has Two Faces (Barbara Streisand), Law and Order, Oz, and New York Undercover.

Gary relocated to the Treasure Coast in 2002. His first feature, Mr. No Shot (2007), was filmed completely on location here on the Treasure Coast.

Gary will share his insights into the “niche” tourism market of Film, Television and Production.

Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors will also wrap up results of the Martin County Tourism Development Council workshop, which is scheduled on Thursday, February 25 at 2:30 p.m. in the Morgade Library.

Tune in to WPSL 1590 AM at 10 a.m. on Friday to hear the show LIVE!!

Stuart Single Fin Showdown and St. Lucie Tourism Feb 20 Show Recap

Listeners of the Feb 20 Talkin' Tourism radio show, now know how surfing brought the show's host, Gary Guertin, to Stuart. The United Way of Martin County's first ever surfing contest--Stuart Single Fin Showdown--slated March 14 and 15 at Stuart Beach, is expected to attract several hundred surfing fans to the area.

Justin Beard, communications director of the United Way, host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors touch on the fact that the sport of surfing does have an impact on tourism.

For those listeners who might want to participate in the contest but don't have a board--no problem! Authentic 70s singlefin will be provided to all surfers who enter the competition, and to make it more challenging, those who advance into later rounds will have to ride a different singlefin during each heat. For more information on the surfing contest, click HERE.

Justin promises this is going to be a fun contest where surfers who normally rip on their modern tri-fin shortboard will have to adjust to surfing with a totally different style. Show host Gary Guertin has signed up to be a judge for the inaugural contest.

The second half of the show explores St. Lucie county tourism programs and funding. Charlotte Lombard, Tourism Development Manager for St. Lucie County, who by the way is an avid surfer, profiles where the county's 5% bed tax goes: first 3-cents goes to the Tradition Station operations; the second 1-cent goes to marketing; and the third 1-cent is divided 33.5% to tourism related capital projects, with the remaining 66.5% going to Tradition Stadium bonds.

George Byfield the CEO/Creative Director of Comet Creative, Inc., the advertising agency of record for St. Lucie County tourism programs, talks about his vision to create a "new" destination package to sell that brings tourists to both St. Lucie County and Grand Bahama. Officials have been speaking with Spirit Airlines and other air carriers to connect St. Lucie County International Airport to Grand Bahama, but no agreements are in place yet.

Expected call-in guest James Turner, Executive Vice-President of the Grand Bahama Tourism Promotion Board, wasn't able to join the group, but is expected to join a Grand Bahama delegation coming to St. Lucie County March 4 through March 7.

When the audio clip from Feb 20 show is available, it'll be posted here.

Feb 20 show to focus on St. Lucie County tourism

This week's show will focus on tourism efforts in St. Lucie County and plug the Stuart Singlefin Showdown slated for March 14 and 15 at Stuart Beach. Special guests will include: George Byfield, CEO/Creative Director of Comet Creative, Inc.; Charlotte Lombard, Tourism Development Manager for St. Lucie County; James Turner, Executive Vice-President of the Grand Bahama Tourism Promotion Board; and Justin Beard, sufer extraordinaire and Communications and Marketing Director at the United Way of Martin County.

Byfield spearheaded the St. Lucie County TDC campaign “St. Lucie Florida-The Jewel of the Treasure Coast” and is the developer of the St. Lucie County Grand Bahama Island Twin Partnership.

The Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board assists the government in the promotion of Grand Bahama Island as a tourist destination and represents the private sector in marketing its respective properties, which have a partnership with the Board and are members. This is done through marketing campaigns which include generic television and radio commercials, collateral, and advertisements in publications (magazines, newspapers, etc.) and onshore promotions such as familiarization trips. Mr. Turner will explain more about his government's 'Twin' partnership with St. Lucie County.

Ms. Lombard will update listeners on other tourism news in St. Lucie County.

And Justin will fill us in on the two-day (March 14 and 15), family-friendly surfing contest presented by the City of Stuart and Ohana Surf Shop, that will benefit the United Way of Martin County's 2008-09 campaign fund.

Tune in tomorrow (February 20) to WPSL 1590 AM at 10 a.m. to listen to the show LIVE from the Captain's Lounge at Harborage Yacht Club & Marina.

Photo from www.cometcreativeinc.com---Grand Bahama Island - The Commissioner of St. Lucie County, Florida, Doug Coward and public relations and marketing executives visited Grand Bahama as guests of the Ministry of Tourism, as they seek to build business and tourism partnerships between St. Lucie County and Grand Bahama Island. Pictured from left are CEO, Comet Creative a public relations and marketing company based in Florida, George Byfield; President Comet Creative, Erica Byfield; Mr. Coward; Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of The Prime Minister, Senator the Hon. Katherine Smith who welcomed the Commissioner and his team during a courtesy call at her office and representatives from the Ministry of Tourism Faye Outlaw and Terrance Roberts. Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

February 13 Show Link

Here's the audio file for Talkin' Tourism's Friday, February 13 show. Download HERE. Enjoy! (Thanks Clif!)

Bahamas update and Martin County introduces new tourism segments: Agri-tourism and Industrial-tourism

Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin shared with listeners today some of his "experiences" at the Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour last weekend, including the hospitality of Bob Kramm, Michael Choiniere and the entire Abaco Beach Resort staff, as well as Captain Marvin Steiding, a former Pirates Cove Resort & Marina charter operator, who took Gary and a group to Hope Town and Great Guana Cay aboard the Reel Candy.

From there, Gary and his co-host Robin Hicks-Connors, introduced Allon Fish, the CEO and executive director of the Indiantown Chamber of Commerce. He described in good detail the fact that at this time there is really only one hotel, the Seminole Inn, in western Martin County. He discussed the Dupuis Reserve and that folks are lobbying FPL to open up Barley Barber, which contains a one-mile boardwalk running through a cypress swamp of large bald cypress, red maples, and cabbage palms. Also discussed was the Indiantown rodeo, and Bike Fest scheduled for Sunday, March 29 (expected to draw 4,000 people).

Other highlights:

• Western Martin County has "Agri-tourism." OJ doesn't grow on trees in half-gallon containers. Folks can learn more about the citrus and cattle industries in Indiantown.

• Indiantown International Airport has the longest grass strip in the country.

• Lots of new construction and building in Indiantown is going to lead to "industrial-tourism." Housing, restaurants and other services are are needed to support the new FPL Solar Plan, a new Florida gas line, and the remodeling of two schools.

• The history of the Martin County Fair was discussed. The first fair 50 years ago drew 7,500 people; this year's fair is expected to draw 70,000.

As soon as the audio file for today's show is available, it'll be posted here for your listening pleasure!

To view shots from the Abaco trip click HERE.

February 13: Cowboys, Crackers and Citrus

The Friday, February 13, show will focus on western Martin County and Indiantown. Allon Fish, the CEO and executive director of the Indiantown Chamber of Commerce, will join Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors. A few surprises are in store. Tune in Friday on WPSL 1590 AM at 10 a.m. so you can say "you heard it first and you heard it live." Photo credit: BCI Sports.

Breaking News! Columbus replica ships 'Pinta' and 'Nina' to land at Harborage Yacht Club in Stuart

Replicas of Columbus' ships the 'Nina' and the 'Pinta' will land in Stuart at Harborage Yacht Club and Marina on Wednesday, April 15 and be in port until April 22. The public is invited for walk-aboard self-guided tours, during the seven days, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The 'Nina' was built completely by hand and without the use of power tools. Archaeology magazine refers to the 'Nina' as the most historically correct Columbus replica ever built. The 'Nina' was used in the production of the film 1492, starring Gerard Depardieu and directed by Ridley Scott.

The 'Pinta' was recently built in Brazil to accompany the 'Nina' on all of her travels. She is a larger version of the archetypal caravel and offers more deck space for tours. Her 900 square foot main salon will host slide shows of both ships' construction. The 'Pinta' is also available for private parties while in port.

Both ships offer an enhanced 'sailing museum,' educating the public and school children on the 'Caravel,' a Portuguese ship used by Columbus and many early explorers to discover the world.

Tour prices are $7 for adults; $6 for seniors; $5 for children; and children under 4 are free. No reservations necessary.

Teachers who wish to schedule a 30-minute guided tour with a crew member, should e-mail: columfnd@surfbvi.com. For more information, visit www.thenina.com.

Feb 5 Show Highlights

Guests Sheila Stewart-Leach, Mac McCartney, Ruth McSween and Rolf Snyder filled the show with lots of great information.

Sheila Stewart-Leach shared the history and future of the Maritime and Yachting Museum of Florida. Founded in 1991, the museum houses a number of antique boat engines, boat models, nautical library and more. Listen to the show to learn more about Stuart/Martin County's longstanding boating legacy, Ralph Evinrude's OMC engine testing facility, and plans for future exhibits.

Mac McCartney from the Stuart Heritage Museum offered local history tidbits, and details on the buildings included in this year's 2009 Annual Home Tour. Only 500 tickets will be sold;the tour, scheduled for Saturday, February 14.

Ruth McSween and Rolf Snyder described the history of the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, located on North Hutchinson Island in Fort Pierce. Ruth talked about the annual "muster," typically held on Veterans Day, where current SEALS demonstrate maneuvers using real explosives, 'leap frogs' (the original name for 'frogmen') jump (parachute) out of planes, and more.

Listen to the show HERE.

February 6 is 'Museum Week' on Talkin' Tourism

This week's guests on Talkin' Tourism are Sheila Leach-Stuart, executive director of the Maritime and Yachting Museum of Florida (MYM); Chris Sawicki, president of the Stuart Heritage Museum; and Ruth McSween, curator of the Navy UDT-SEAL Museum.

Leach-Stuart will discuss the Maritime and Yachting Museum of Florida's plans for a new 30,000 square foot facility at Indian Riverside Park, as well as the musuem's community activities, exhibits and collections. Be sure to listen for two great programs the musuem is presenting this month: 100 Years of British Shipbuilding presented by Ashley Ford on February 10; and for Black History Month--The Atlantic Slave Trade and Life Aboard the Slave Ships: A slide-illustrated presentation, by marine archeologist David Moore and Dr Jerome Handler, who is affiliated with Virginia Foundation for the Humanities.

Sawicki will highlight the homes and buildings featured in the Stuart Heritage Museum's 2009 annual home tour, which is scheduled for Saturday, February 14. This annual tour is in its 20th year and celebrates Stuart's heritage. Each year, about 500 tickets are sold, and the event attracts visitors from throughout the Treasure Coast and South Florida.

McSween will talk about the new memorial being built at the Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, the only one in the nation dedicated exclusively to the US Navy SEALs. This Saturday, February 7, four artists will unveil their visions of the memorial, which will take into account weapons, poses, uniforms, heritage and history.

Listen to the show Friday, February 6 on WPSL 1590 AM at 10 a.m.; or check back after the show to download for listening on your computer or iPod.