Show Three: Art, ArtsFest, The Beach Boys, and Nude Beaches

The third 'Talkin' Tourism' show took listeners from the new Faculty Student Art Program at the Elliott Museum, the Arts Council and ArtsFest, and whales off of Baja, to Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, VISIT FLORIDA funding being restored by Governor Crist, and why some folks in Broward County claim nude beaches are good for Florida's economy.

Host Gary Guertin of Harborage Yacht Club & Marina was joined again this week by co-host Robin Hicks-Connors, president and CEO of the Historical Society of Martin County. Guests included Nancy Turrel, executive director of the Arts Council; artist Dan Mackin, who is the 2009 featured artist of ArtsFest; and Rozeta Mahboubi, executive director of the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Interesting tidbits from the show:

• This weekend marks the 22 ArtsFest, which will feature 123 artists. Visit the Arts Council Web site for more information.

• Dan Mackin began sketching and painting tropical islands and marine life in 1971 when his camera fell overboard during a sailboat trip. He and a friend traveled in a 24-foot sailboat and he kept a journal of the day’s events and recorded what they saw with his illustrations. And he has helped raise over $1 million dollars for the National Kidney Foundation through his art donations.

• Brian Wilson and Dan Mackin have collaborated on four pieces of art, which are interpretations of four of the songwriter's lyrics, entitled "Surfing USA," "Surfer Girl," "In My Room," and "God Only Knows," all big hits and synonymous with the beach lifestyle. To learn more visit Dan's Web site.

• Rozeta Mahboubi loves tourism and the friendliness of Martin County is what kept her from taking another post she was offered, which was out of state. She and host Gary Guertin discussed Governor Crist for re-instating VISIT FLORIDA's budget this week. Check out http://www.martincountyfla.comto see first hand how the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau markets the destination.

• According to an article on TCPalm, Richard Mason of the South Florida Free Beaches and the Florida Naturist Association, asked Broward's state lawmakers this week to oppose any legislation that would force nude beaches to close. Mason termed Haulover "the most successful beach in the state of Florida." He said it outdraws the Florida Marlins and Miami Dolphins combined. Read the story here.

To learn more, listen the show by clicking HERE or selecting the January 30 show link under LISTEN TO THE SHOW to the right.

Guest update for January 30 show

"Which Way to Stuart" by Dan Mackin.

A couple of guest changes for tomorrow's Talkin' Tourism. Robin Hicks-Connors returns to co-host the show with Gary Guertin. Guests include: Rozeta Mahboubi, the executive director of the Martin County Convention & Visitors Bureau; artist Dan Mackin, who is the 2009 featured artist for ArtsFest; and Nancy Turrell, the executive director of the Arts Council. Topics to include: ArtsFest 2009, how Dan Mackin became an artist and his involvement with the Beach Boys, and Governor Crist's move this week to restore VISIT FLORIDA's funding for tourism marketing.

Show Two: Butch Olsen, Ed Griffith and surprise guest, Nicole Wellington

Here's the highlights from the Jan. 16 show: Butch Olsen, Jr. gave listeners an update on the commercial fishing industry and the third annual Port Salerno Seafood Festival, which organizers were expecting a crowd of more than 20,000. The festival celebrates the thriving commerical fishing industry and raises money for a number of non-profit causes. Believe it or not, but over one million pounds of fish come across the commercial fishing docks every year.

Talkin' Tourism host, Gary Guertin, highlighted the importance of working waterfronts on tourism, "Folks like to walk the docks and talk with the fisherman. There aren't many communities where that can still happen."

Show co-host Robin Hicks-Connors, president and CEO of the Martin County Historical Society, provided listeners and the studio audience a history lesson on Port Salerno. "Port Salerno has actually had five names: Alicia, after Henry Flagler's wife; Mumford; Salerno; and eventually Port Salerno because it sounded more magical and because it was a safe haven."

Ed Griffith, the general manager of the Courtyard Hutchinson Island Oceanside/Jensen Beach and the new incoming president of the Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the importance of tourism and the fact that tourists don't know political boundaries. "Guests at our property dine, shop and play up and down the coast. They don't care whether they're in St. Lucie County, Martin County or another county." Show host Gary Guertin pointed out that regional tourism officials need to look at a broader scope when marketing the area instead of focusing just on their respective geographical boundaries.

During his presidency of the chamber, Griffith plans to focus efforts on increasing recognition of Jensen Beach as a travel destination.

This week's show also had an unannounced guest, Nicole Wellington, the sales manager for one of Martin County's newest hotels, the Hampton Inn and Suites North Stuart, which opened Labor Day weekend. Nicole, who also sits on the board of the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the Hampton Inn's occupancy levels are good and that she's looking forward to a good season. Ed Griffith also confirmed occupancy levels at his property are good.

Guest's for the Jan 30 show will include Allon Fish, executive director of the Indiantown Chamber of Commerce, and a representative from the Arts Council, who will detail what's scheduled for ArtsFest and beyond.

Download this week's show HERE.

Talkin’ Tourism guests this week: Ed Griffith and Butch Olsen

Scheduled guests for this week’s Talkin’ Tourism radio show, slated for Friday, January 23, on WPSL 1590 AM at 10 a.m., are Ed Griffith and Butch Olsen.

Griffith is the general manager of the Marriott Courtyard Hutchinson Island and also the Jensen Beach Chamber’s newly installed president. Olsen is the chair of the Port Salerno Dock Authority and this year’s chair of the Port Salerno Seafood Festival.

Robin Hicks-Connors, president and chief executive officer of the Martin County Historical Society, returns this week to co-host the show with the show’s permanent host Gary Guertin, general manager of Harborage Yacht Club.

To suggest a tourism topic or a guest for the show, e-mail talkintourism@gmail.com.

Post-show 'ink'

Show debut covered in The Stuart News, January 17, 2009. Read article here.

Inaugural Show!

LIVE from the Captain's Lounge of the Harborage Yacht Club and Marina, this week's guests included Tom Colucci, executive director of the Treasure Coast Sports Commission, and Alyse Caldwell, co-owner of Captain Chris Yacht Services and also co-producer of the 2009 Stuart Boat Show Trawler Expo.

Special thanks to cohost Robin Hicks-Connors, president and chief executive officer of the Martin County Historical Society, who'll be onboard as cohost for the next several weeks.

Tom Colucci commended Martin County on the asset of Halpatiokee Regional Park and suggested a Florida-Bahamas golf challenge introduced a few years ago needs to be revived. Let's find the trophy!

Alyse reported that boat show and Trawler Expo attendees came from as far away as Novia Scotia, Maine and Alabama. Seminars this year ranged from provisioning, how to protect your skin from the sun, to hands-on demonstrations on how to dock a boat. A great beginning for this inaugural segment to the Stuart Boat Show.

Listen to 'Talkin' Tourism' every Friday on WPSL 1590 AM in the 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. timeslot. Send your comments, suggestions and tourism news to talkintourism@gmail.com.