Camera, Lights, and Action on the Treasure Coast!

This week’s show was all about “ACTION” (as in lights…camera…action) as show host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors had the writer/director and producer of the feature film NATALIE, QUEEN OF SCOTS as the guests in the Harborage Yacht Club and Marina Talkin' Tourism studio.

Brian Carroll and Serenity Caldwell talked about their excitement with the upcoming production of this independent feature film being shot in the Martin County and Treasure Coast area. Shooting is scheduled to start on or around July 20 and is expected to last approximately 30 days. The crew consists of 20 and according to Brian and Serenity have “all of the Happy Hours and restaurant special deals committed to memory!”

This niche tourism market definitely has an impact on our local economy. In addition to food/beverage and other retail sales the crew will be spending additional dollars on equipment rentals, talent expenses and more.

So, just what makes and independent film independent? How long does a film have to be to be considered a feature film? What unique method of funding is being used by Lobsterback Entertainment (for more information visit www.wehavetofindaway.com) that will help guarantee a return on investment and an audience? To learn more about the film, visit http://www.nataliequeenofscots.com/.

The rest of the show full of “Guertinism’s” (Boat-cations, Car-cations), Robin’s “This Week in Treasure Coast History,” upcoming events, and everything (well almost) you need to know about tourism.

The show's audio can be dowloaded or listened to on your computer by selecting this LINK. Grab a tall cool boat drink, sit back, and enjoy the show!

This week: Film and television production on the Treasure Coast

In past shows, host Gary Guertin has talked about the niche tourism market of Film and Television Production and the potential for Martin County and the entire Treasure Coast. Well folks, tomorrow we will introduce you to film writer/director Brian Carroll and producer Serenity Caldwell of Lobsterback Entertainment who are actually in Martin County producing an independent film entitled Natalie, Queen of Scot's.

Why did they select Martin County as a location for their film, how long will they be shooting, and how has the Martin County CVB and the private sector assisted in the production? Learn this and more as Brian and Serenity share their excitement with the listening audience.

Co-host Robin Hicks-Connors (aka “History Lady”) will have a bit of film making trivia as relates to the film production business in Martin County. You may be surprised that this is nothing new!

Lots going on this summer whether you are taking a 'staycation,' 'boatcation' or 'carcation.' Great deals are everywhere.

How is the rest of Florida doing? Gary and Robin have collected tidbits of info from around the State they want to share.

Summer Sizzles with great deals for dockage at Harborage Yacht Club and Marina as well as a great new Summer Specials Dining Program…stretch your summer “Fun Dolla’s”.

Tune in and enjoy as Gary and Robin take to the airwaves with another edition of Talkin Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast this Friday at 10 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM.

P.S. Here's a video journal from Lobsterback Productions detailing Natalie, Queen of Scot's. Enjoy!

July 3 Show Wrap: Review of trip to Grand Bahama; What's up with tourism in Martin County; and another 'island' connection.

Many thanks to all of the folks on Grand Bahama who contributed to the live remote broadcast of Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast! It was a great success!

Talkin' Tourism is looking forward to several more remote broadcasts over the summer with the next one hopefully being from Green Turtle Club on Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, Bahamas as show host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors chase down participants on the Bahamas Summer Boating Fling! Details to come.

Rozeta Mahboubi, the executive director of the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) provided an update on current marketing strategies and tactics being implemented during the current economic downturn. Surprisingly, Martin County and the Treasure Coast are not doing as badly as some experts had predicted. Listen to the show to learn why, about what regional markets are now being targeted, and the forecast for the upcoming Winter Season.

Ms. Lori Lachnicht, a veteran with years of experience in promoting tourism in the Bahamas and Caribbean and a new friend of Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast, shares her insights as to how the Treasure Coast is similar in many ways to an 'island destination. ' She feels the Treasure Coast can learn to operate in ways similar to the islands to overcome transportation issues and challenges.

Tune in to the show (listen or download HERE) and get an update on great activities, as well as other summer events along the Treasure Coast that you won't want to miss.

For more Talkin' Tourism, tune in to WPSL 1590 AM next Friday at 10 a.m.

July 3 Show Preview: How's Tourism in Martin County and Connecting the Dots to More Bahamian Friends

We all know that tourism is very soft in general. So, what is the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) doing to make the best out of this downturn? How are our hotels being effected? Since Bed Tax collections are down, how is this effecting the CVB’s ability to promote the destination?

This week Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors interview Rozeta Mahboubi, the executive director of the Martin County CVB. Rozeta has been in the post for eight months. How is the bureau coping with bed-tax funding shortfalls, and what is being done to promote tourism to Martin County?

Keeping with our Bahamas and Caribbean summer theme, Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast has invited Lori Lachnicht into the studio to share her thoughts and expertise on how the Treasure Coast can best tap into this potential market. Lori has a long history in the Bahamas and Caribbean. Her past associations include: Caribbean Territory Manager for Caribbean Travel and Life Magazine (Bonnier Corporation); sales and marketing positions with The Ginn Company (Old Bahama Bay); Generation Corporation (MainStay Suites); Spice Island Tours with properties in Grenada, Dominica, St. Kitts, Barbados and the Bahamas; marketing and advertising account representative for Skin Diver Magazine and Dive Report; as well being theco-owner of USA Travel d.b.a. Bahamas Travel Network.

What is the Treasure Coast connection? Lori served as a territory account manager for Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers and Media from 2005-2007.

Turn your radio dial to WPSL 1590 A.M this Friday (July 3) at 10 a.m. to learn more, and don’t forget to thank a visitor for vacationing on the Treasure Coast.