One of the Treasure Coast's Hidden Gems: Club Med Sandpiper Bay

Being able to step out of a day-to-day routine and into a very international, fun, lively scene (for most people) is not easily done. But those who live on Florida’s Treasure Coast have the opportunity to do so. Why?  Because if you live on Florida’s Treasure Coast you are within easy (and we mean EASY) driving distance to the only Club Med in the USA!

On Friday, Talkin' Tourism hosts Gary Guertin (aka Radio Man) and Robin Hicks-Connors (aka History Lady) jumped in the car and within 20 minutes were in a totally different world. After hearing about the completion of Club Med Sandpiper Bay's $25 million renovation, the Talkin’ Tourism duo had put the location on their broadcast "bucket list," and with last Friday's show, that one may be crossed off the list, but with a few notations like, "we have to go back."

With fantastic assistance from the Club Med’s local and corporate leadership, Gary and Robin had a chance to speak with the managers of four very important resort departments. Got children? Then Patrick Olivieri is your man! Patrick is the Club's Family Products Manager. He talked about all the awesome programs the Club has for children from 0 to 17 years. At any given time, Patrick can be uncle to 250 Club Kids!

When you vacation, do you want to totally relax or do you like to get up and go? Guests to Club Med Sandpiper can do both. For those on the go, they have options to participate in super excursions on property or around the Treasure Coast. Mathew Fontix, the Club's Spa and Discovery Manager, was all over the choices. From river cruises with dolphins, to relaxing massage, to offshore fishing, nothing is impossible. Entertainment? Club Med has that covered too, including a flying trapeze act, a circus, dancing, music by international bands and more! Entertainment Manager Dahiana Leidy could have had her own two-hour talk show to describe all that is happening. Do you prefer a sports vacation getaway? Then meet Brian Tranbarger, the Club Med Sports Manager. Brian described some of the offerings including Club Med’s golf, tennis and fitness academies, which are led by some of the world’s best coaches and trainers.

If you were unaware of all that Club Med Sandpiper Bay has to offer, you NEED to listen to this show (download it here). And, best yet, you don't have to travel hundreds or thousands of miles to enjoy this world-class resort. We didn't have the time to talk about the $25 million in renovations, but the photo album below will tell the story better that we can!

"See" you next week, and as always, thanks for listening!

• Download Talkin' Tourism's Club Med show (January 21).

Check out below, the Talkin' Tourism slide show of Club Med Sandpiper Bay:

Italy Comes to the Treasure Coast

Treasure Coast Italian Fest!

Come on out and enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of Italy...here on the Treasure Coast.

Great fun for the entire family...wine tastings, entertainment, games, kid's zone, Italian cuisine.

LOCATION:  Martin County Fairgrounds 

INFO:  (772) 486-4867 or www.TreasureCoastItalianFest.com 

The Treasure Coast Italian Festis proudly produced by Unique Events Florida!

International Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast (A Peek at Club Med Sandpiper)

International tourism on the Treasure Coast has always been low profile, compared to more urban and hip metro centers such as Miami, Orlando and even certain areas on Florida's west coast. Despite being somewhat under the radar, there have been efforts by various groups on the Treasure Coast over many years to cultivate a basic level of international tourism awareness, but with no real measureable success. However, for many years, Club Med Sandpiper, one of the finest family oriented Club Med’s in the world tucked away on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, has been attracting visitors from all of the world to the Treasure Coast. These visitors to our Treasure Coast region frequently get off campus and visit our local restaurants, take sportfishing charters, shop in our stores, patronize our art galleries and so much more.

This week, Talkin' Tourism hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors will broadcast live from Club Med Sandpiper. Having recently undergone a $25 million renovation, Club Med Sandpiper has repositioned itself to continue to attract thousands of international visitors to the Treasure Coast. Talkin’ Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond) will bring our listeners the latest information on this genuine asset to our region's international tourism efforts.

Our guest line-up this week includes: Family Product Manager Patrick Olivieri, Sports Manager Brain Tranbarger and Leidy Dahina, Entertainment Manager. Radio Man has memories of many years ago when the property first became a Club Med property. It will be great to hear what the new renovations produced in terms of the overall guest experience!

Tune in and you may even hear Gary and Robin doing a little “Parlez vous Francais.”

Marine Tourism and the Gateway to the Bahamas

Allied Marine's waterfront conference room was a great spot to broadcast last week’s show at the launch of the 37th annual Stuart Boat Show. Special thanks to Jon Burkard, vice-president of brokerage sales for Allied Marine, a Ferretti Group Company for rolling out the red carpet for the Talkin’ Tourism team. The guest line-up could not have been more perfect with old friends reuniting and new friendships being kindled.

Stuart Boat Show producer Rick Allen led the discussion about the economic impact of the show to the Treasure Coast region, with specific insight on the numbers and dollars. John Smith, the president of the Marine Industries of the Treasure Coast (MIATC), shared how important the show is to the hundreds of marine industry firms and business in the area, as well as the show's true potential for continued growth.

Continuing to drill down to tourism specific impact, Rozeta Mahboubi, the executivie director of the Martin County Convention and Visitor's Bureau, explained the direct impact to local hotels, restaurants and related hospitality business.

Representing Bahamas Ministry of Tourism interests, Richard Treco from the Bahamas Tourist Office, expressed the Ministry’s very strong commitment to the Treasure Coast markets. It is very clear that the Treasure Coast is the Gateway to the Bahamas for thousands of boating and fishing enthusiasts. With the island of Bimini being the closest Bahama island to the U.S. mainland, Bimini Big Game Club’s Christopher Pollock was on our prestigious guest list and he shared some great upcoming events, tournaments and boating activities that are sure to be a magnet for folks headed to Bimini. Very exciting stuff!

Between hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors' questions and comments, combined with the enthusiastic conversations by the guests, the hour seemed way too short. It was a terrific and fitting second anniversary edition of  Talkin' Tourism. If marine tourism is important to you, this week's program will help you truly understand why this segment of the tourism industry is so important. If you missed it, here's the audio file for our January 14 show covering the Stuart Boat Show and the Gateway to the Bahamas. And, be sure to check out the Stuart Boat Show slide show below.