Shopping, Santa, Special Deals and the 'Season's' Best Special Events

Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin with special guest host
Lisa Gilrane, from Ocean Properties, Ltd., and
Roberta Murray, local leasing manager for
Treasure Coast Square

There is a first time for everything and this week was no exception.  Last Friday’s edition of Talkin’ Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond!) was indeed broadcast from a regional shopping mall, the Treasure Coast Square in Jensen Beach, Florida.  Typically a free-flowing and unscripted affair, this week’s show was even more so.

Agreeing to serve as a special guest host for her first time, Lisa Gilrane of Ocean Properties, Ltd. did an outstanding job. Loving to talk and loving the tourism industry made Lisa the perfect special guest co-host.  She was very excited to have the opportunity to talk about Ocean Properties, hotels on the Treasure Coast and specifically the Port St. Lucie Holiday Inn and the Courtyard Marriott-Hutchinson Island.  

The main event was guest Roberta Murray, the local leasing manager for  Treasure Coast Square.  Yes folks, Treasure Coast visitors and valued seasonal residents certainly do positively impact our local economy when it comes to the retail industry and Roberta shared exactly how important it is to our retail economy.  In addition to providing information about trends in the retail tourism industry, Roberta listed a host of special holiday deals mall merchants are offering. If you missed last week's show, listen to it now so that you too can take advantage of these pre-Christmas offers. 

What else was covered?  Bahamas updates, New Year’s Eve boat parades (on Bimini) and pool parties, guided beach walks, boat shows, Cape Eleuthera wahoo tournaments, and more.  You will only get the full scoop by downloading the show. Don't forget to grab some cookies and eggnog when you listen to the show, and close your eyes. Santa will be sitting right next to you, as he was with us at the mall. Enjoy! See you next Friday.

Twas Two Fridays Before Christmas....

It would not be the holiday’s without a trip to the closest mall, right? So, this is exactly what Talkin’ Tourism is going to do this Friday. The Treasure Coast Square is the perfect setting for "two shows before Christmas" and our 100th show! The studio will be no more than 20-feet from the bearded guy who wears a red suit trimmed in white fur!

So what will we be talking about besides eggnog, the best cookie recipes, and what's the latest rage on Christmas lists? How about one of the things that rate high on tourists lists? If you guessed shopping, you're absolutely right! We all know that valued-seasonal-residents and visitors contribute to our local economy in many ways. The retail segment of the hospitality industry is as important as any other. Speaking to this issue will be Roberta Murray, the local leasing representative for the Treasure Coast Square Mall. Roberta has a long history with the Treasure Coast retail industry and will be a wealth of knowledge as to how the retail industry is impacted by tourism. She is also on the board of the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau, so she's "in the know" when it comes to tourism.

Roberta  has lined up few mall retailers to chime in, as well as Mrs. Field’s Cookies, (did someone say "milk and cookies?"), Treasure Coast Fishing Center , and Echo Gifts. I guess we will see who has been naughty and who has been nice. With Santa just feet away, perhaps we can slip him our Treasure Coast Christmas Wish List for the tourism industry!

Also with us tomorrow will be Lisa Gilrane, the area sales manager for Ocean Properties, LLC. Her company operates lodging facilities and affiliates in the northeast, southeast and southwest of the U.S., as well as Canada and the Caribbean. Treasure Coast properties include the Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa;  Courtyard Marriott Hutchinson Island; Holiday Inn, Port St. Lucie; Holiday Inn, Vero Beach; Hampton Inn, Vero Beach; and the Courtyard Inn and Suites, Vero Beach. Lisa should have some great information about the current trends in the industry and what’s in store for the Treasure Coast this visitor season.

So join us TOMORROW morning at 10:05 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM or http://www.wpsltv.com/ for another great edition of Talkin’ Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond!). By the way, don't forget there could be some celebration in the air since this the 100th edition of the show!

Let's Go Shopping!

Historically, shopping is a very highly rated activity within the tourism industry in terms of what people do on vacation. Despite the challenges of a recuperating economy, shopping is a must.

As stakeholders in the hospitality industry of the Treasure Coast, retailers have much to gain by participating in the promotion and marketing of our Treasure Coast destination. From regional malls to boutique shopping plazas to unique mom and pop shops, the potential appeal of a destination can me measured by the variety of shopping experiences offered.

This week join Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors as they explore Treasure Coast shopping. Roberta Murray, of Treasure Coast Square Mall in Jensen Beach, will share the studio with Stephanie Young, director of marketing for Harbour Bay Plaza located in Sewall’s Point. Are they optimistic about the upcoming season? Are they planning anything special or introducing unique sales promotions for this winter season?

As usual, Gary and Robin will also discuss all things tourism that you need to know. More offshore drilling updates, activities and events you won't want to miss, an update of the Florida/Bahamas Golf Championship, and more are all on this week's show agenda.

Believe it or not, after listening to the show, you will even know how many pounds of clam strips and how many gallons of clam chowder are expected to be consumed at the Sebastian Clambake Festival, which happens this weekend.

Tune in to WPSL 1590 AM or http://www.wpsl.com/ tomorrow at 10 a.m. to hear the show live!