Boat Shows, marine tourism, and community waterfront festivals

Jim Dragseth, Tom Kilcourse, April Price, John
Hennessee and Robin Hicks-Connors
talkin' tourism on the docks at Sailfish Marina.

Guests Tom Kilcourse and Jim Dragseth did an outstanding job describing the importance of the approaching 38th annual Stuart Boat Show to the tourism industry in Martin County and the Treasure Coast.  One of the longest running events in the area, the Stuart Boat Show certifiably attracts visitors from near and far putting 'heads in beds'. This land and 'sea' display show is considered one of the best and has been described as the Goldilocks of boat shows:  not too big, not too small, just right.

One attribute shared by Jim Dragseth as to why the marine industries, and events such as the Stuart Boat Show, are such a vital part of our area’s economy is because Stuart is blessed with such great waterways.  Boat Show Committee Chairman Tom Kilcourse described the activities and the exhibitors who will help make the show a great family affair.  This is definitely one event to put on your January “to do list”.

John Hennessee, the chairman of the Port Salerno Neighborhood  Advisory Committee, and April Price, events coordinator for the Port Salerno Seafood Festival, dropped by the studio to give listeners a sneak peak of what is in store for this year’s festival, which takes place on January 28th.  Celebrating six years, this event draws over 30,000 attendees to the working waterfront town of Port Salerno.  More to come on the Seafood Festival in the coming weeks.

Here's one of the boys---Jim Dragseth, Gary Guertin
and Tom Kilcourse.

The Bimini Islands are THE place to be this New Year’s Eve. Talkin' Tourism hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors reviewed the great happenings scheduled on both North and South Bimini this coming New Year's weekend and if you listened to the show, you’ll agree that there is definitely a party going on.  Talkin’ Tourism will be broadcasting live from Bimini Sands Resort and Marina on Friday morning. If you can't join us on island for all the fun, then definitely tune in Friday morning to learn more about Bimini and why this is destination is one you shouldn't miss.

Here's last week show for those of you who might of missed it or for those who want to listen in again.

See you Friday from Bimini!

Jan 29 Show Recap: Sports, Super Bowl Housing, Festivals and Offshore Drilling take center stage.

After last week’s “studio” being a wide and airy veranda overlooking the Straits of Florida, Harborage Yacht Club's Captain’s Lounge seemed a little cramped. On second thought, it could have been because we had so many great guests!

Leading off the show was Treasure Coast Sports Commission executive director Tom Colucci. With spring training days away, a new aquatics center being approved in Martin County, several other key events such as the Treasure Coast Regatta, NJCAA Swimming and Diving championships and the FHSAA Baseball Finals coming up in the next several months, sports tourism will certainly make a mark. As a side note, Tom was a guest on the very first show of Talkin' Tourism over one year ago!

Want to turn your home or condo into a short term rental for a big event? Texas based call-in guest Christina Karpinski, director of HomeAway’s Owner Community, shared some great tips on the do’s and don’ts of this potential opportunity and offered advice on avoiding some of the pitfalls to ensure a positive experience.

Butch Olsen Jr. and Randy Roberts wowed listeners with what they would find at this year's Port Salerno Seafood Festival. New components include pirates, mermaids, The Captain’s Club and more. What won't be new? Seafood, seafood and more seafood. Thosands of people are expected to descend on the sleepy village of Port Salerno for this annual family-friendly event. Congratulations to Barbara Slaten and Peter Voethroeder, both of Port St. Lucie, each winners of a VIP Package to the Port Salerno Seafood Festival. Special thanks to the Seafood Festival Committee for providing the special gift, and thank you listeners for lighting up Harborage Yacht Club's telephone board!

As promised, Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast is keeping listeners up to date with the views and opinions on drilling for oil off Florida’s coastline as close as three miles offshore, as will be discussed in this year’s legislative session. Surfrider Foundation, Treasure Coast Chapter board member Carter Hall detailed the opinions of this 90,000+ national organization. Some of the topics Carter covered included (1) are the potential risks worth jeopardizing the State’s tourism industry and (2) how long is it estimated to be before this oil actually hits the pumps? It is a big decision and Talkin' Tourism will continue to provide information to help you make a personal decision on this topic.

If you missed the show, or just want to listen in again, you can download it HERE.

See you next week!

Up this Week---Mix of Aquatics, Baseball, Short-term Accommodations, Offshore Drilling and Seafood

Fresh from a remote broadcast from Bimini in the Bahamas, this week Talkin' Tourism hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors settle back in the Captain's Lounge at Harborage Yacht Club and Marina. What’s in store for listeners? A potpourri of baseball, aquatics, Super Bowl accommodations, offshore drilling, and seafood.

With the traditional baseball spring training season set to gear up on March 2, it’s time to welcome back Tom Colucci, executive director of the Treasure Coast Sports Commission. Tom will share his perspectives on the impact of sports upon Treasure Coast tourism. Talkin' Tourism hosts plan to ask him what’s happening with DogerTown and his thoughts on how the recently approved Martin County Aquatics Center might impact local tourism. If anyone knows, it’s Tom.

If you've have ever thought about turning your home or condo into a short-term accommodation, then the next segment of tomorrow's show is just for you. Rumor has it that many folks in South Florida are considering turning their homes into short-term accommodations to meet expected lodging demands for the influx of visitors coming to the 2010 Super Bowl Game, which will be hosted in Miami on February 7. What are the opportunities and what are the pitfalls to avoid? Christine Karpinski, director of HomeAway’s Owner Community, a leading international expert, will be calling in from her corporate offices in Texas to offer advice for those who might be considering turning their home into a short-term 'bed and breakfast.'

The Treasure Coast would not be the Treasure Coast without great festivals and events. Randy Roberts, the sponsorship/parking chair of the Port Salerno Seafood Festival and Butch Olsen, Jr, president of the Port Salerno Commercial Fishing Dock Authority, will be in the studio to give listeners all the info they need to max out their enjoyment of this year’s expanded fest.

With the “drill or not to drill” issue coming before State legislators this spring, Surfrider Foundation Treasure Coast Chapter board member Carter Hall will share the Surfrider Foundation’s position on the issue. What does this have to do with tourism? Well many people think that drilling (and if there is an accident/spill) will place Florida’s number one industry in jeopardy. Is there a compromise? We'll explore that and other issues tomorrow.

Listen LIVE at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, January 28 on WPSL 1590 AM or online at http://www.wpsl.com/.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Fan submittal on the Port Salerno Seafood Festival Facebook Fan Page.