Treasure Coast Tourism Forecast from the 'Experts'

What happens when you get two Realtors and a marina/boatyard general manager in one place and give them a chance to talk? A great show of course! Thanks to Todd Doss (REMAX of Stuart), Jeannie Baron (Beach Front Mann Realty) and John Smith (River Forest Yachting Centers), this week’s show shed great light on the importance of valued seasonal residents.

Points covered during the hour broadcast include new trends in today's fragile economy, the ways valued seasonal landlubbers and boaters contribute to regional economies, which county in South Florida had the highest average hotel rom rate and which one had the highest occupancy, and how this August's tourism figures compared to last year's.

If your business depends on the southern migration of this important group of people, you will know that you are not alone! Tune in and you’ll hear the group's forecast for this winter season.

Besides the main topic of the day, show hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors dove into other fun topics and community events lining up along the Treasure Coast. For avid offshore anglers, the duo talked about the Bahamas Wahoo Challenge. The first leg is right around the corner and it's on one of Gary and Robin's favorite Bahamian islands.

As always, the hour flew by! See you next Friday, same time (10:05 a.m), same station (WPSL 1590 AM or http://www.wpsl.com/). And, please pass along to your favorite valued seasonal resident, family and friends the link to Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast (and Beyond!).

In case you missed the show, here's the (9/24/2010) audio file for your listening pleasure!

It's a Pre-Season Kick-Off!

Soon, the Treasure Coast will witness a migration as consistent as that of the annual return of the sailfish to Treasure Coast waters each year. That’s right, the trickle of valued seasonal residents will soon begin and before you know it, the trickle will turn to a steady stream of those returning to their second homes and condominiums or filling hotels and vacation villas.

Often overlooked, but as important is the return of valued seasonal boaters. As a major maritime region, the Treasure Coast plays host to thousands of seasonal boaters each winter. So if a condo is where people sleep, would not a slip be where a boat sleeps?

While seasonal residents, landlubbers or yachties, are not truly considered “tourist” in the classical sense, they do contribute to our region's hospitality stakeholders in a big way. So, just how big an economic impact does this group make? We'll discuss that, as well as other contributions they bring to the Treasure Coast.

This week's guest include Todd Doss, Jeannie Baron and John Smith.

Todd  is a Realtor with ReMax of Stuart, and a three generation Floridian. He specializes in rental properties in the Stuart area. Jeannie is a Realtor with Beach Front Mann Realty has been involved in her industry on Hutchinson Island for over 20 years. And, John is the current president of the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast and the general manager of River Forest Yachting Centers of Stuart and LaBelle, Florida. He'll share his insights on marketing the Treasure Coast as a major seasonal boating mecca for valued seasonal boaters.

In case you were thinking the word “snowbird," think again. This week, we'll let you know exactly what a snowbird is or is not.

Tune your radio dial to WPSL 1590 AM this Friday at 10:05 a.m. or your computer browser to www.wpsl.com for the live stream and enjoy the show. One thing for certain, the crew and guests on Talkin' Tourism on the Florida's Treasure Coast (and Beyond!) will certainly have a blast!

History Preservation, Birds of a Feather, Junkanoo & the Reel (Real) Candy

Back on “his” island--Hutchinson Island, Florida that is--Radio Man and History Lady quickly caught up on two weeks of activity. Show host Gary Guertin revealed just who Taino, Lucaya and Pauchie were and yes, everyone was pleased to hear that the “feathered ones” liked their new toys donated from the Guertin’s Landing  birdy toy box.

Getting on with the 'Old Things New' theme, Sally Dadko gave listeners a very good perspective of the importance of Historic Preservation Month in Martin County. The month long list of events, lectures, free tours and workshops will keep both locals and visitors busy. On air, Sally confessed to being from Massachusetts and another dot was mysteriously connected when Gary (Radio Man) confessed to being from Massachusetts too.

With time and information flying, Gary and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors moved on to a key event taking place during the early part of Historic Preservation Month--the annual Bahamian Connection Festival! Taking place on Saturday, October 2nd, the festival celebrates our community’s ties and heritage to the Islands of the Bahamas. Gloria McHardy, president of the New Monrovia Development Corporation, shared the origins of the event that has now grown into nothing short of a true Bahamian festive experience. Kherri Anderson, the event's communications officer, described the plans for entertainment, food, vendors and just plain “all t’ings Bahamian."

Since Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast (and Beyond!) was focused on several aspects of the Bahamas, why not talk Bahamas fishing? Special guest, Captain Marvin Steiding of Reel Candy Sportfishing fame wrapped up this week’s show talking about his Martin County based charter operation that specializes in trips to San Salvador, Bahamas for his clients to experience “the adventure of a lifetime." There's nothing like catching and releasing a world-class blue marlin! Hmmmm, you might be pondering. Just why is San Salvador such a great blue marlin magnet? You’ll have to listen to this week’s show to find out.

So fans, sit back with an ice cold Kalik or your favorite boat drink and enjoy another informative and entertaining edition of Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond).

This program is brought to you by the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Coastal Angler Magazine's Flahama edition!

Old Things New, Conch Fritters and Reel Candy

Frances Langford and Bob Hope
USO performance.

Arts, cultural and historic tourism are all key elements in the grand scheme of today’s global tourism and destination marketing. The Treasure Coast is certainly not at a loss for historic treasures and activities. With October being designated as Historic Preservation Month in Martin County, Florida what better time to talk about old things becoming new again.
Leading the conversation will be guest Sally Dadko, vice-chairman of the Martin County Historic Preservation Board. From the kick off ceremony at the Jensen Beach Christian Church on October 1st, to the closing event—USO, Letters from Home Ball—at the Flagler Recreation Center, there will be plenty to do for both visitors and residents alike. History Lady is going to love this show!

FLAHAMA Free Radio keeps the Bahama spirit alive with a preview of the upcoming Bahamian Connection Festival to be held October 2nd in the New Monrovia community of Port Salerno. Celebrating its 13th year, this fun filled festival gets everyone’s toes tapping with great Junkanoo music, great Bahamian cuisine, fun and an introduction to visitors and locals of our community’s rich Bahamian heritage. Kherri Anderson, the festival's communications director, and board president Gloria McHardy fill us in on all the great "happenings” of this signature event.

Now that summer is behind us, sportfishing enthusiast from everywhere will be focusing in on the great sailfish action headed our way, as well as planning trips to the Bahamas for some big game fishing angling. Marvin Steiding, owner and captain of the Martin County based sportfishing charter boat Reel Candy will be in the house talking about his ongoing success catching big blue marlin and monster wahoo in San Salvador, Bahamas. So what does a trip like this entail? Can you go to school to learn how to fish for wahoo? Where do I sign up?

So folks, it looks like we have the bases covered for this week. Join us this Friday for more fun, infotainment and good times from the Elliott Museum.

Enjoy the Junkanoo action from last year's Bahamian Connection Celebration below! See you Friday at 10:05 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM or http://www.wpsl.com/!