Competing with the 'Big Boy's of Tourism' and a long-time street festival goes back to it roots

In the studio to talk tourism this week were Rozeta Mahboubi,
Ron Hart, Amber Ducote and show host Gary Guertin.

This week’s show was a reconnect with the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau to learn what tourism promotional efforts are currently on going in Talkin’ Tourism’s hometown of Stuart, Florida. Featured guest Rozeta Mahboubi, the executive director of the Martin County, Florida Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), gave listeners an overview of the strategies and tactics this small county is using to attract its share of visitors.

Yes, smaller destinations can compete with the 'big boys' and often times, having a major destination in your backyard can actually help!  Rozeta’s strategies and thoughts do make sense. With a successful four year track record to its credit, the Martin County Tourism Development Committee (TDC) (which oversees the distribution of bed tax funds), recently and enthusiastically gave its continued support to the Martin County CVB.  In a time when competition for funding is always keen, it was great to hear that Rozeta and her CVB staff were recognized for their efforts. Rozeta also shared what new successes the CVB achieved through the TDC’s support.

So who is the self-appointed Cultural Ambassador to Downtown Stuart?  Why none other than Ron Hart, vice-president of the Downtown Business Association.  Ron and Tara Biek Creative account executive Amber Ducote were on hand to share the excitement of the upcoming Dancin’ in the Streets.  A Stuart tradition for nearly 25 years, this event has gone back to its roots. What exactly does that mean? Well, those who listened in last week heard the run down. If you missed the show, you can still find out! Just download the August 19 show!  This group is also already working on the funding for next year’s Fourth of July festivities. Talkin’ Tourism host Gary Guertin also posed the question of whether or not these local events helped the off-season tourism effort. Ron and Amber both responded with some pretty strong positive feedback.

Other topics of conversation circled around the airline that will be increasing airlift to the Out Islands of the Bahamas in the near future, and a 'fish story' ending in The Bahamas, which involved the recent catch of a 927 pound marlin in Bermuda. Trying to connect those dots? Check out last week's Talkin' Tourism and all will make perfect sense!

Thanks for listening to us live or checking us out on this blog…we love talking tourism!

This week: Promoting smaller destination and Dancin' in the Streets (of Stuart)!

There are many smaller destinations around the State of Florida and the U.S. that have to compete with better known, larger and established visitor destinations.  It would almost seem to be a David and Goliath type of situation.  Nevertheless, there are many smaller destinations that do relatively well in their market area despite being in the shadows of giants.  Stuart/Martin County, Florida, the home town of Talkin’ Tourism is one such destination with only 1,700 “beds." 

Recently, the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), the organization contracted by the Martin County Tourism Development Council (overseer of the tourism dollars raised via the hotel tax), conducted a workshop that heavily influenced the CVB’s abillity to do (or not do, depending on what side of the fence you sit) the job properly. It would appear that the workshop was a success in the eyes of CVB executive director Rozeta Mahboubi.  This week Rozeta will be our guest and will talk about how she markets and promotes a smaller destination and what items approved in the work shop will help her achieve the community's goals.  It should make for a lively and informative conversation!  It will be like sitting in on “Tourism 101”.

Also joining Talkin’ Tourism this week will be Amber Ducote, account executive at Tara Biek Creative, and Ron Hart, owner of Earthtones in Downtown Stuart.  Amber and Ron serve on the committee that has organized and revamped the nearly 25 year old end of summer event--Dancing in the Street. So what has changed?  Has it gone back to its roots?  Another side bar conversation will explore whether or not these local community events help promote tourism and overnight stays.

Radio Man and History Lady always explore some aspect of the Bahamas and/or the Caribbean and upcoming regional activities, and they always throw in a few surprises. Catch the show on your radio dial at 1590 AM locally or click on http://www.wpsltv.com/ for the live stream from anywhere in the world because, we will be Talkin’ Tourism---every Friday at 10:05 a.m.!

Scenic Highways, World-Class Festivals & Florida's 'Out-Islands'

The Martin Grade by Thomas Winter

The days of when there was nothing to do during the summer on the Treasure Coast are long gone. New events and activities along with old standards, such as Stuart’s Dancing in the Streets, keep residents and visitors alike busy. So what’s new? How about a world-class barbeque festival? Yum! The Hobe Sound Chamber of Commerce is doing just that on July 10, 2010 when it presents the Hobe Sound BBQ Festival 2010. This isn't just a plain, ordinary festival, it's a Florida Bar-B-Que Association sanctioned event, meaning the best of the best will be competing for $10,000 in prizes. What does that mean to you? It means that you get a chance to taste some of the best barbeque this side of the Tex-Mex border!

The Hobe Sound Chamber's executive director, Jennifer Ferrari ,will be in the house on Friday to give you all the details.

Most anyone who has traveled across the United States or abroad is familiar with special spots along the way offering scenic overlooks (such as in the mountains), scenic trails (for hikers),  or scenic highways. Martin County, Florida is in the process of applying for a scenic highway designation for a portion of highway located in western Martin County, which is known to locals as the Martin Grade. Mary Dawson,  chairman of the Sustaining Community Lands group, will be in the Elliott Museum-Talkin' Tourism studio this week providing listeners with an update on the group's efforts to bring scenic highway designation to this beautiful stretch of highway. Radio Man has been keeping up with the process and is amazed as to how complicated it is to get something seemingly a no-brainer accomplished.

Martin Grade is a 12 mile long stretch of tree-lined road featuring sable palms, pines and oaks that are over 100 years old. Just how many official Scenic Highways are there in Florida? Are there any others in South Florida? These questions and more will be answered on Friday's (July 2) show.

Rumor has it that Radio Man was sited on Grand Bahama Island this week. Included in the locations he was seen were Blue Marlin Cove, Old Bahama Bay, the West End Police Station (huh?) and Port Lucaya. What is Radio Man up to now? Scouting for another radio show location? Searching for the best Bahama Mama recipe?

Tune in again this Friday, July 2, at 10 a.m. for more fun and infotainment LIVE on WPSL 1590 AM, the Talk of the Treasure Coast, or on your computer at http://www.wpsl.com/.