Having a Billfish Blast, the oil spill in perspective, and local news limelight

This week’s Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast was very important in multiple ways.  First, Gary explained the Bubba Gump Conch reference in last week’s post show blog update.  It finally clicked for Robin once she understood guest co-host Ed Griffith’s affinity for that tasty mollusk of the Bahamas…conch.  

So, Robin DID go fishing on Mother’s Day with her daughter and her friend Lynn.  What did she catch?  Well, I give you a hint…she smoked it, and, no…it was not a “square grouper”… Gary and Robin both enjoyed some of her catch during the show.

Getting past all the chit-chat, Gary and Robin moved on to take a call from Laurie Bass, Tournament Director for the upcoming HMY-Boat Harbour Billfish Blast taking place at Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour in Abaco May 31 - June 4.  Whether you fish in tournaments or not, you will appreciate learning about this family-fun event.  Tune in to find out what each day's theme will be! And, did you happen know that the opening evening’s fireworks display is sponsored by a local Stuart resort/marina? You'll have to listen in to find out which one! 

The main event of the day was a compelling conversation with Gary Roderick, head of the Division of Environmental Quality for Martin County, Florida.  Gary recently spearheaded a meeting with public and private sector folks interested in developing and implementing a plan in case the disastrous Deep Horizon Oil Spill reaches the Treasure Coast.  What should local residents and visitors expect to see?  What are the chances?  Are we ready? Having Gary explain the answers to these and other questions certainly put the issue in its proper perspective.

Lastly, we discussed the message that Florida tourism officials want out in the public to ensure visitors don't cancel reservations and vacations to the Sunshine State based on misinformation and assumptions. 

An unexpected surprise awaited both Gary 1 and 2 and Robin after the show, as WPTV Channel 5 reporter Jon Shainman showed up to film the three about the days’ topics.  Pretty cool for TV to follow Talkin' Tourism!

Here's the audio file for today's show. Have a great weekend and "see" you next week for another action-packed Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast.

Back in Abaco fishing (at least in spirit), and explaining the oil spill's effect on our coast

What could be almost as good as being back in Abaco?  

Well, talking about another great fishing tournament coming up at Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour is a pretty good start!  Laurie Bass, tournament director for the HMY - Boat Harbour Billfish Blast, will be calling in to Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast from her office in Texas to discuss the upcoming tournament taking place May 31 - June 4.  

This tournament, now in its 11^th year, lives up to its name and always is a “Blast.” The event is ranked among the best billfish tournaments in the world and it's truly a family-fun event.  What Treasure Coast and South Florida boats will be competing? How far will folks be coming from to fish with the best of the best?  You will know if you tune in!

The Gulf of Mexico oil spill tragedy has certainly has gotten everyone’s attention.  But, is the media hyping this disaster, or possibly down-playing the potential consequences? And locally, what could be the worst case scenario for the Treasure Coast?

Talkin' Tourism is very pleased to have Gary Roderick, head of the Division of Environmental Quality for Martin County, FL with us this week.  Gary will explain what plans are currently in the works should the spill reach and affect the Treasure Coast. He will also discuss if and how residents can help out. And finally, he'll explain which agencies and organizations are working jointly from both the public and private sector to ensure that the impacts are minimal.

It's been a long two-week hiatus, folks, but History Lady is back in the co-host seat. Rumor has it that she went offshore fishing again recently. Could this pastime become a passion? 

All this and more is on tap this week, so listeners, you know the drill - 10 a.m. on Fridays, set your dial to 1590 WPSL AM or log on to www.wpsl.com for your weekly dose of tourism!

Ladies are Landing the Big Ones, Thanks to Betty

Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast is on a roll! For the second time in two weeks, Robin and Gary are going to have a VISIT FLORIDA Insider in the house.

Our upcoming guest Hilda Mitrani knows Martin County might not exactly be a tourist destination, but that's exactly why the Treasure Coast area might appeal to her. As a VISIT FLORIDA Off the Beaten Path Insider, Hilda seeks out the nooks and crannies of Florida looking for diamond-in-the-rough attractions. A big city Miami native herself, Hilda might just help put Martin County on the beaten path when she checks out and talks up the area's charm.

Will the self-designated “tourism warrior,” Radio Man, a.k.a. Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau Chairman Gary Guertin, meet his match? This week you will meet Harold “Buzz” Smyth, whose both nickname and tourism prowess rival Radio Man. Buzz recently accepted a professional services contract with the city of Fort Pierce to jumpstart the tourism effort in this historic Florida coastal city. What pixie dust can he sprinkle on tourism stakeholders that the Tourism Development Council and other organizations already haven't tried? Should be a very interesting discussion with this idea man.

Get ready fellas, because the ladies are dropping anchor in the fishing world. Betty Bauman, founder of the popular and well-publicized “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” seminars, will be talking with us about angling for the X chromosome. Her one-of-a-kind program provides women of all ages the chance to learn the ropes - from backing a boat trailer to rigging ballyhoo, and from using a cast net to offshore and inshore angling. Betty will call in this Friday to let us know when Ladies, Let's Go Fishing! will be hitting our area again.

Tune in to start your weekend early on Friday (10 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM or www.wpsl.com), and hear what Betty, Buzz and Hilda have to say during this week’s edition of Talkin' Tourism with your hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors.

--Photo from ladiesletsgofishing.com

We're on a roll!

Looks like we're on a roll here...another collaboration of sharing logos and links! Thanks Martin County Convention & Visitor's Bureau (MC-CVB).

Visitors (and residents) will find great information on accommodations, restaurants, shopping, festivals, beaches, fishing, boating and more on the CVB's site. Learn more about the flavors of Martin County!

Talkin' Tourism is working on making 2010 the 'Year of Tourism!'

Your passport to safe travel

Literally millions of people travel every single day throughout the United States and the world.

Whether for business or pleasure, people are increasingly becoming more and more comfortable in the role of 'traveler'. Regrettably, from time to time we hear that visitor and travelers fall victim to a crime or other misfortune. By most measure, the Treasure Coast is a safe visitor destination. Being a relatively 'un-urban' destination, the Treasure Coast typically does not see the level of crime that may be found in more urban destinations.

What can you do decrease the possibility that you will be victimized during your travels? Well this week, Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors discuss this important topic. In the studio this week, Laura Passanesi, a community programs practitioner & volunteer coordinator for the Martin County Sheriff's Office, will discuss ways to help minimize the chances of becoming a victim of a crime during travels.

Here are some sample tips:

(1) Don't wear name tags in public.
(2) When traveling by car, back into your parking space to facilitate a quick exit.
(3) Do not flash your passport in public. Discretely show important documents to officials.
(4) If traveling with children, bring along an updated photo of each child in the event you become separated.
(5) In a taxi, sit behind the driver so you can see him but he cannot see you.

In addition to tourist safety tips, Gary and Robin will cover Treasure Coast and State of Florida tourism news, including the position of the Surf Rider Foundation’s position on the possibility of oil drilling off Florida’s coasts.

Friday's (November 12) show promises to be lively and informative. Tune in at 10 a.m. (WPSL 1590 AM on your radio dial or http://www.wpls.com/ via your computer) and take a one hour 'staycation' with Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast!

March 20 Talkin' Tourism Recap

Today’s show hosted by Gary Guertin, with co-host Robin Hicks-Connors, was “all about the food.” Katy Lynch, editor and publisher of Dine Magazine, Paul Daly, owner operator of The Flagler Grill in Downtown Stuart, and Harborage Yacht Club’s Chef extraordinaire Mark Muller talked at length about the importance of “food and beverage” in creating and enhancing visitor destinations. Any listener who didn't walk away hungry from this show, just doesn't like food!

Katy discussed in detail the expansion of her magazine into the Treasure Coast area, her experience as a participant in a Dinner In the Sky adventure (http://www.dinnerintheskyevents.com/), and the importance of advertising, marketing and special events to a restaurant’s success.

Paul Daly, shares his involvement with the funky and cool Pelican Café, which is pet friendly” and the evolution of the Stuart Downtown area into a dining mecca that currently has 14 great restaurants to chose from.

Last in the line up but certainly not least, Harborage Yacht Club’s own Chef Mark Muller describes for the listening audience that awesome features and menu mainstays at the Harbor Grille.

Mark also reminds listeners about two great events happening in the next couple of weeks:

(1) The Taste of Martin County on March 31 (benefits Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Martin County)

(2) The International Wine Tasting at Harbour Bay Plaza on Sewall's Point on April 4

The link to this weeks show will be posted as soon as it is available.

On a forward note, the March 27 show will welcome Hobe Sound Chamber executive Jennifer Ferrari to hype Appraisal Fest 2009, slated for March 28, starring "The Appraisal Guys," Tim Luke and Greg Strahm. A few more guests to be mentioned later this week.