Spring Training is in the Air!

When spring is in the air, you know that it is time for Talkin’ Tourism to check out the excitement in the air at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida and broadcasting live from the Mets official radio broadcast booth high above the field is always a thrill.

We are always pleased to have Paul Taglieri, general manager and director of Florida operations for the New York Mets, along with Traer Van Allen, assistant general manager and assistant director of operations, as our special guests.  Paul shared with our listeners all the improvements visitors can expect to enjoy and the huge economic impact spring training has on the Treasure Coast.

Now more than ever, the stadium experience is a true 'family affair'. The Mets organization has renegotiated their lease agreement with St. Lucie County and they are here to stay to 2023!  Based on Paul’s comments, it would appear that spring training and baseball in general is a huge tourism promotion engine for St. Lucie County and the Treasure Coast region.

Traer shared ticket sales this year are running strong and talked about the great passion in the region for this loved U.S.game. Traer gave his forecasts on what game will draw the largest attendance?  If you missed his prediction, you can still hear it by listening to Talkin' Tourism's Spring Training show here.

Although baseball and spring training were the main topics of this week’s show, lots of other local and regional tourism snippets were also discussed, including upcoming events and activities you won't want to miss.

So ladies and gentlemen, grab a hot dog, peanuts, popcorn and your favorite baseball beverage. The team is ready to go, and so will you after listening to last week’s show.  Let’s play ball!

Baseball Spring Training an Economic Plus for St. Lucie County (and Beyond)

Whether you are an avid baseball fanatic or a someone who just watches a game from time to time, it’s hard not to get a major case of spring training fever while broadcasting a radio show from high above Digital Domain Park on the day before the spring season opener. Just after Talkin' Tourism hosts Robin Hicks-Connors and Gary Guertin had finished setting up the broadcast equipment, the New York Mets came out onto the field to practice before the scheduled afternoon scrimmage. The lead off guest, St. Lucie Mets general manager Paul Taglieri, was not at a loss for words in describing the excitement surrounding opening day.

Paul, Robin and Gary covered many related topics during the conversation including; the growth of attendance over the years, how the recent capital investments at the stadium have created an overall improved experience for players, team management, support staff and most importantly the in-game experience for the fans. A very significant amount of St. Lucie County’s tourist tax dollars is dedicated to the stadium and its operation. So, is this investment providing dividends?

Jill Hanson, Paul Taglieri and Cecelia DeFilippis talkin'
spring training tourism.

Jill Hanson, the director of sales at the Residence Inn Port St. Lucie and a member of the St. Lucie Tourist Development Council, was not shy in her response. Hotel occupancy numbers tell the story in her view. Having never stayed at a Residence Inn, Gary and Robin were surprised at the incredible values offered at her property. How much of a value? Once you listen to the show you just may want to check in for a few weeks!

In addition to Paul and Jill, Cecelia DeFilippis a self-proclaimed baseball addict and director of development at the Elliott Museum joined Radio Man and History Lady in the broadcast booth. Cecelia told listeners about a unique partnership between Treasure Coast artists and the Treasure Coast Little League Association. To hear more about this collaboration (and so much more), listen to last Friday’s Talkin' Tourism show here.

Okay, Treasure Coast…let's play ball!

Take Me Out to the Ballpark: New York Mets, Here We Come

Last week, Talkin Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond!) touched on the importance of spring training to the Treasure Coast region with guest Tom Colucci. With the season opener scheduled for the New York Mets this Saturday at Digital Domain Park, Gary and Robin just had to do a show from the stadium. Thanks to the help of Charlotte Lombard, manager of the St. Lucie County Tourism Office, this week’s edition of the show will be broadcast from the Visitor’s Press Box, high above the diamond.

St. Lucie Mets general manager Paul Taglieri will be at the top of the batting order. Paul is in his 13th year as the St. Lucie Mets general manager, having been named Director of Florida Operations for the New York Mets in 2001. Paul spent two seasons as general manager for the Auburn Doubledays of the New York Penn League and three seasons as the assistant general manager of the Sarasota Red Sox of the Florida State League. So what are the responsibilities of a minor league team general manager? What are the prospects for the teams this year? How specifically do the teams, (both the minor and major league teams) help promote tourism on the Treasure Coast and St. Lucie County? With Paul's input, we'll have the answers to those very questions.

Helping us bridge this gap will be our second hitter, Jill Hanson. Jill is a member of the St. Lucie County Tourism Development Council and sales director for the Residence Inn in Port St. Lucie. Despite being a major Red Sox fan, Jill is very involved with the Mets through her hotel property and sponsorships. Is the bed tax revenue that is spent on the stadium a good return on investment for tourism in St. Lucie County? Jill may have the answer.

So listeners, this week it’s Take Me Out To the Ball Game along with lots of other information you need to know about things to do, places to go and how to have fun on the Treasure Coast (and Beyond!).

And if that wasn't enough, a four-pack of tickets to Saturday's season opener will be given away during the show!

Tune in tomorrow (Friday, February 25) at 10:05 a.m. On the Treasure Coast and Grand Bahama, you can tune in on WPSL1590 AM; those outside radio broadcast range, can pickup the show's livestream at http://www.wpsltv.com/.

Spring means ArtsFest and Baseball on Florida's Treasure Coast

Daylight Savings Time is back. Hooray! Now we can participate in fun outdoor activites after work, and believe it or not, Saturday is the first day of Spring!

Speaking of Spring, this week’s show will cover Spring Training, the sport of professional baseball, and its impact past, present and future like it has never been covered before. Talkin' Tourism hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors have the pleasure of welcoming Stuart’s own Rusty Meachum to the show. Rusty was born and raised in Martin County and played all his amateur ball locally. Spanning 18 season’s, Rusty pitched for more than 1,500 innings for teams including the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners and Huston Astros. With numerous teams now selecting Arizona for their spring training, can Florida regain its crown of “Spring Training Capitol”? Robin will give more information on the Elliott Museum’s fabulous baseball memorabilia collection. Could the Elliott become the “Winter Baseball Hall of Fame?" Tune in to hear the discussion.

Are we in Martin County or in the Caribbean? If you join the show this Friday and listen to our special guests representing the Arts Council and ArtsFest describing this weekend’s celebration of the arts in Martin County, then you just could be “limin’ under a palm tree” with your favorite boat drink in hand! This 23rd year of arts celebration will be described in great detail by this year’s featured artist, Meg Winter, Arts Council Executive Director Nancy Turrell and ArtsFest Committee Member Alison Wigley. What's the entertainment?  Rum and Martini Bar? Anything for kids? And, how many artists? Answers to those questions and more on Friday.

Also on tap:  Bahamas update, "This Week in Martin County History," the Treasure Coast's shuffleboard  center, and just about anything else that pops into Gary and Robin’s heads.

The adventure begins at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 19. On the radio, tune to WPSL 1590 AM; via computer, point your browser to http://www.wpsl.com/.

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!