Wishing you an Iggy Christmas

Instead of a partridge in a pear tree, we prefer
an iguana in a Christmas tree!

Since this Friday’s show falls on Christmas Eve, hosts Radio Man and History Lady have given guests a day off. With Radio Man traveling all over the islands and Treasure Coast the last couple of months and Robin’s hectic professional commitments over the same timeframe, there will be lots for us catch up on. This week’s show will be brought to you from high above the Treasure Coast at the Courtyard Marriott-Hutchinson Island. Our host, the property's general manager and a Talkin’ Tourism special guest co-host Ed Griffith has promised Gary Guertin and Robin-Hicks Connors a “studio with a view." Thanks Ed!

Some of this week’s topics will include conversation about the “crunch” of the Christmas/New Year’s Week, the age-old question of when does tourist season actually begin, and what's on Talkin’ Tourism’s Holiday Wish List for the various Treasure Coast Tourism promotion organizations (Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Treasure Coast Sports Commission, and St. Lucie County Tourism Development Council and more) in a perfect world? Gary and Robin will also let you know who's been naughty and who's been nice. (Who'll make the lists?)

For our new fans and listeners who may be getting more familiar with the Treasure Coast/ Islands of the Bahamas connection, Gary and Robin will talk about the history of Boxing Day, which is celebrated throughout the British Commonwealth.

Folks, these are just the highlights. Our regular show features, including upcoming events and arts and cultural happenings, will all be a part of the special Christmas Eve Day show.

And don’t forget  to listen in for our weekly Stuart Boat Show ticket give-away! Could be a great stocking stuffer for you or your favorite elf.

So if your shopping is done (or not), presents wrapped (or not), cookies cooked (or not) and the rum punch in chilling (or needs refilling), kick-start your Christmas Holiday by tuning into Talkin’ Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond).

And in case you haven't seen it yet, we've posted our video Holiday Card below. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

News Flash: History Lady out for Friday, Possibly a Special Guest in?

The Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast news department just received word from reliable sources that co-host History Lady (Robin) is going underground and will be out of commission for this week’s show.

So, will Radio Man face an formidable panel of guests on his own this Friday? Or will Courtyard by Marriott Hutchinson Island general manager and guest co-host Ed Griffith be available? Will a celebrity guest co-host sit in to offer some fresh perspective?

Tune in Friday at 10 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM to find out, or check out the show at http://www.wpsl.com/!

Feb 5 Show Recap--Hotels, Presidents, Festivals & Sharks

Another great show for those who listened, and for those who will listen to the show after the fact.

This weekend another annual local event is expected to attract thousands---30,000 in fact, comprised of both locals and visitors! Details of the 9th annual Hobe Sound Arts Festival, which takes place February 6-7, was Hobe Sound Chamber president Wayne Klick’s contribution to the show. One hundred and fifty vendors will participate and he promises there will truly be something for everyone. The best part is that it’s all FREE! Congratulations to Hobe Sound Chamber executive director Jennifer Ferrari and her volunteer staff for coordinating another great event.

Yes, fatal shark attacks are extremely rare and a tragedy when they occur, particularly when it occurs in your area. Regrettably, Stuart lost a great waterman this past week. Condolences and sympathy on the tragic loss are extended to the family and friends of Stephen Schafer. To help put this incident in its proper perspective, Florida Oceanographic Society executive director Mark Perry shared his scientific thoughts on the subject. The biggest question is--will this incident impact tourism on the Treasure Coast and in Florida for the remainder of the winter season?

The newly elected president of the Hotel/Motel Association of Martin County, Ed Griffith, who is also the general manager of the Courtyard Hutchinson Island/Jensen Beach, along with Katie Wacha, owner/operator of The Inn at Tilton Place in Jensen Beach, and Jacque Lewis, the general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott of Stuart,  shared their thoughts on the current tourist season. Listen in to find out if they are meeting their expectations and goals, whether visitors changing their booking habits, and their prospects for the rest of the season.

Lots of other information was discussed on great events and activities happening in our area. Don’t miss out. Download this week’s show HERE, to be "in the know" on tourism news along Florida's Treasure Coast and beyond.

Hotels, Presidents, Festivals & Sharks

Now that we were are hitting the height of the season, the Talkin' Tourism team thought it would be fitting to have lodging representatives share with the listening audience how the season has been thus far and what their projections are for the remainder of season.
Joining us this week are Katie Wacha, owner/operator of The Inn at Tilton Place, located in Jensen Beach, Jacque Lewis, general manager of the new Courtyard by Marriott, and Ed Griffith, general manager of the Courtyard Hutchinson Island Oceanside Jensen Beach. Each property is different and offers guest a range of services. Listen in to hear highlights and amenities offered by each property and learn what makes them unique from the other properties in the area.

This week, a local kite surfer lost his life after a shark attack at Stuart Beach in Martin County. Truly a very, very rare and tragic incident. Mark Perry, executive director of the Stuart based Florida Oceanographic Society, will share his knowledge about shark behavior in this area and why this incident may have occurred.

Art anyone? If the answer is "yes," then you won’t want to miss Hobe Sound Chamber president Wayne Klick talkin' details about the 9th annual Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts this Saturday and Sunday. How many vendors? Is admission FREE? Organizers promise here will be something for everyone!

As always, Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast keeps you on the cutting edge of tourism related information and news. Join us every Friday at 10 a.m. on WPSL 1590 or via your computer--www.wpsl.com.

Martin County strengths, island properties and getaway giveaways

Another successful LIVE remote from beautiful Hutchison Island, with special thanks to guest Sharon Laing and the staff of Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort and Marina for providing the venue for today’s show.

A 16 year veteran of the property, Sharon gave listeners a great overview of the resort and its amenities. In addition to visitors from around the globe, Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort and Marina has tremendous appeal for locals as well, whether it is a 'stay-cation', quiet dinner, or cocktails around the pool. Martin County is fortunate to have such a wonderful beach front property.

The first ever on-air accommodations package giveaway occurred this week, thanks to the participating properties of the Martin County Hotel/Motel Association. This week’s package was compliments of the Courtyard by Marriott–Stuart.

This week’s question was:

Based on the input from Martin County tourism industry stakeholders at the first meeting of the Tourism Summit, what are the top five Martin County Tourism strengths?

If you were listening, the answer should have been easy. Lot of hints were given and the answers were repeated several times. Good luck! Remember, the first correct answer e-mailed to talkintourism@gmail.com is the winner, which will be announced on next week’s show.

Thanks to Greg and Carol Wyatt, Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast had an extended show. During the additional 30-minutes, Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors shared information on the businesses being recognized by the Martin County Business Development Board at their annual Business Appreciation Luncheon. You will be truly amazed at the great businesses represented.

What else will you learn when you listen to the show: what’s news in the Bahamas, events and activities on the horizon for locals and visitors, and what happened This Week in Martin County History. Download it HERE.

'See' you next week!

Friday, March 6: Spring Training, Golf and Environmental Tourism

This week Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin has planned a show that focuses on Spring Training and 'Green' tourism. This week's co-host is Ed Griffith, general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott Hutchinson Island Oceanside/Jensen Beach (who'll share some exciting news about the Italian Baseball team).

Our lineup includes Paul Taglieri, director of operations of the New York Mets; Joseph Patton, the new development director of the Florida Oceanographic Society; and possibly Bob Baldassari, general manager for PGA Village.

LAST...if the technology gods smile upon us, this week's show will be live-video-streamed from the Captain's Lounge of Harborage Yacht Club & Marina on www.wpsl.com!! Tune in on the web or to WPSL 1590 AM on your radio dial at 10 a.m.

As always, expect a few last minute surprises!

Show Two: Butch Olsen, Ed Griffith and surprise guest, Nicole Wellington

Here's the highlights from the Jan. 16 show: Butch Olsen, Jr. gave listeners an update on the commercial fishing industry and the third annual Port Salerno Seafood Festival, which organizers were expecting a crowd of more than 20,000. The festival celebrates the thriving commerical fishing industry and raises money for a number of non-profit causes. Believe it or not, but over one million pounds of fish come across the commercial fishing docks every year.

Talkin' Tourism host, Gary Guertin, highlighted the importance of working waterfronts on tourism, "Folks like to walk the docks and talk with the fisherman. There aren't many communities where that can still happen."

Show co-host Robin Hicks-Connors, president and CEO of the Martin County Historical Society, provided listeners and the studio audience a history lesson on Port Salerno. "Port Salerno has actually had five names: Alicia, after Henry Flagler's wife; Mumford; Salerno; and eventually Port Salerno because it sounded more magical and because it was a safe haven."

Ed Griffith, the general manager of the Courtyard Hutchinson Island Oceanside/Jensen Beach and the new incoming president of the Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the importance of tourism and the fact that tourists don't know political boundaries. "Guests at our property dine, shop and play up and down the coast. They don't care whether they're in St. Lucie County, Martin County or another county." Show host Gary Guertin pointed out that regional tourism officials need to look at a broader scope when marketing the area instead of focusing just on their respective geographical boundaries.

During his presidency of the chamber, Griffith plans to focus efforts on increasing recognition of Jensen Beach as a travel destination.

This week's show also had an unannounced guest, Nicole Wellington, the sales manager for one of Martin County's newest hotels, the Hampton Inn and Suites North Stuart, which opened Labor Day weekend. Nicole, who also sits on the board of the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the Hampton Inn's occupancy levels are good and that she's looking forward to a good season. Ed Griffith also confirmed occupancy levels at his property are good.

Guest's for the Jan 30 show will include Allon Fish, executive director of the Indiantown Chamber of Commerce, and a representative from the Arts Council, who will detail what's scheduled for ArtsFest and beyond.

Download this week's show HERE.