Up this Week---Mix of Aquatics, Baseball, Short-term Accommodations, Offshore Drilling and Seafood

Fresh from a remote broadcast from Bimini in the Bahamas, this week Talkin' Tourism hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors settle back in the Captain's Lounge at Harborage Yacht Club and Marina. What’s in store for listeners? A potpourri of baseball, aquatics, Super Bowl accommodations, offshore drilling, and seafood.

With the traditional baseball spring training season set to gear up on March 2, it’s time to welcome back Tom Colucci, executive director of the Treasure Coast Sports Commission. Tom will share his perspectives on the impact of sports upon Treasure Coast tourism. Talkin' Tourism hosts plan to ask him what’s happening with DogerTown and his thoughts on how the recently approved Martin County Aquatics Center might impact local tourism. If anyone knows, it’s Tom.

If you've have ever thought about turning your home or condo into a short-term accommodation, then the next segment of tomorrow's show is just for you. Rumor has it that many folks in South Florida are considering turning their homes into short-term accommodations to meet expected lodging demands for the influx of visitors coming to the 2010 Super Bowl Game, which will be hosted in Miami on February 7. What are the opportunities and what are the pitfalls to avoid? Christine Karpinski, director of HomeAway’s Owner Community, a leading international expert, will be calling in from her corporate offices in Texas to offer advice for those who might be considering turning their home into a short-term 'bed and breakfast.'

The Treasure Coast would not be the Treasure Coast without great festivals and events. Randy Roberts, the sponsorship/parking chair of the Port Salerno Seafood Festival and Butch Olsen, Jr, president of the Port Salerno Commercial Fishing Dock Authority, will be in the studio to give listeners all the info they need to max out their enjoyment of this year’s expanded fest.

With the “drill or not to drill” issue coming before State legislators this spring, Surfrider Foundation Treasure Coast Chapter board member Carter Hall will share the Surfrider Foundation’s position on the issue. What does this have to do with tourism? Well many people think that drilling (and if there is an accident/spill) will place Florida’s number one industry in jeopardy. Is there a compromise? We'll explore that and other issues tomorrow.

Listen LIVE at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, January 28 on WPSL 1590 AM or online at http://www.wpsl.com/.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Fan submittal on the Port Salerno Seafood Festival Facebook Fan Page.

LIVE from Bimini!

Talkin Tourism’s fourth international LIVE remote, this time from the island of Bimini, was a fabulous success. Host property Bimini Bay Resort and Marina, Sales Manager Danielle Dunfee and crew, rolled out the red carpet for Radio Man and History Lady.

The show's broadcast location turned out to be on the veranda of a beautiful beachfront private residence overlooking the Straits of Florida, unbelievably beautiful! Hostess Danielle led off the show providing listeners with the overview of this magnificent 700+ acre resort/marina property that is first-class in every way, from the megayacht marina to the resort guest accommodations to the private island homes to plans for future development. You will be in awe of what is still yet to come. And all so close to the Treasure Coast!

Bimini is famous (and infamous) for many things. Of course we know that it was a favorite haunt of Ernest Hemingway, a legendary mecca for sportfishing enthusiasts, a key player in the rum-running trade, the possible location of the Fountain of Youth, and of course The Bimini Road aka The Road to Atlantis. Guest Bill Keefe owner/operator of Nowdla and Bill Keefe’s Bimini Undersea fascinates listeners with the origin of this legend surrounding a unique underwater rock formation that has been the subject of much research, study and controversy.

Kiala, Nowdla and Bill’s youngest daughter, shared what it’s like to be home schooled and living a life of adventure with her mom and dad on the island of Bimini.

As always when on location, Talkin' Tourism loves to talk to locals to get the real flavor of a destination. In this show, meet Biminite Anva Roberts, the events coordinator at Bimini Bay Resort and Marina, for a look at what she experienced growing up on Bimini and why she returned to her home island.

Despite the fact that this was hosts Gary and Robin’s first visit to Bimini, Treasure Coast “connections” were everywhere! It was amazing! FLAHAMA is certainly “spreading its wings” and the FLAHAMA Pelimingo made appearances in many locations. Enjoy the photos and video of the trip!

Special thanks to local historian and artist/poet Ashley Saunders for the tour of the Dolphin House and key historical locations on the island. Also, thanks to the kind hospitality of the Capo family, developers of Bimini Bay Resort and Marina, pilot Fernado for the airlift to the island and Mathew Stuart at Fabian's Stuart Conch Shack for the best conch salad on Bimini.

Biminites, we look forward to welcoming you to the Treasure Coast soon!

Listen to the show on your computer or download it for your listening on your MP3 player HERE.

53rd Show----Bimini Bay Resort & Marina

Bimini Bay Resort & Marina will host Talkin' Tourism's 53rd show this Friday, January 22 at 10 a.m. Tune in and learn more---on the radio, WPSL 1590 AM---on the computer, http://www.wpsl.com/.

Bimini Bay Resort & Marina

Boats, Cars, and Bimini, here we come!

This week, Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast did what it loves to do best as hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors broadcasted the show live from the 36th Annual Stuart Boat Show and 2nd Annual Cruiser Expo.

This week’s featured guest, Tony Parkinson provided all the details of a fabulous event coming January 30—100 Years of Cars, one of the top car shows in the country featuring many one of a kind automobiles from rarely seen private collections. Car contributors and enthusiasts will be flocking to The Pine School in Hobe Sound from all over the country for this one.

Michelle Miller, director of Operations for the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast (MIATC), the owners of the Stuart Boat Show, provided an overview of the association's mission. Marine related industries are a major part of the Treasure Coast economy and the Stuart Boat Show certainly brings this point across. So, what do the show’s vendors have to say about the economy and their expectations? Jim Knoska, of Yacht Watchman International took a turn in the guest seat and gave listeners a personal and honest perspective of the “state of the industry” and what is ahead for the boating industry.

The last guest was Danielle Dunfee, from Bimini Bay Resort. She gave Robin, Gary and listeners a preview of what's in store for the show's live remote from Binimi on Friday, January 22. Looks like the show's hosts are going to need to pack full wet suits and be ready for anything!

Once again it was an information packed show including a wrap of the Pelican Yacht Club Billfish Invitational and the Treasure Coast Sailfish Championship, opinions on the restoration of Bath Tub Beach and lots more. Thanks for listening. If you missed this week's show, download it here.

Hope you can join us this approaching Friday (January 22) at 10 a.m. for the show's live remote from Bimini Bay Resort in the Bahamas.

Get the 'inside scoop' on the Stuart Boat Show, 2nd Annual Cruiser Expo and 100 Years of Cars

Another great event attracting visitors from around the State of Florida and locals alike, is the site of this week’s remote broadcast of Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast. That’s right, it's boat show time and the 36th Annual Stuart Boat Show and 2nd Annual Cruiser Expo rolls into town this week. Show hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors will be live at the show broadcasting from the FLAHAMA/Harborage Yacht Club and Marina booth.

With the weather finally warming up, the great show put together by All Sports Productions is bound to entertain the avid boating enthusiast and everyone who is looking for a great day on the waterfront. In addition to talking with show vendors, attendees and “other special guests,” Gary and Robin will chat with Tony Parkinson, organizer of this year’s “100 Year’s of Cars” car show to benefit The Pine School. This show draws collectors from all over the country. What types of vehicles will be there? Talkin' Tourism has an insiders tip...a 1941 Packard, The Blue Hornet and cars from numerous private collections rarely seen by the public.

To get the inside scoop on the largest boat show between Stuart and Annapolis, Maryland, join Talkin' Tourism tomorrow, Friday, January 15, at 10 a.m., live from the FLAHAMA/Harborage booth. Tune your radio dial to WPSL 1590 AM or your computer browser to http://www.wpsl.com/. And, if you're in the area, stop on by the booth and say hello!

Next two shows of Talkin' Tourism “On the Road!”

An exciting couple of weeks are in store for Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast listeners as Gary and Robin take the show “on the road” and “out to sea,"

Friday January 15, the 36th Annual Stuart Boat Show and 2nd Annual Cruiser Expo is the place to be as Talkin' Tourism broadcasts live from the FLAHAMA/Harborage Yacht Club and Marina booth. Gary and Robin with be chatting with attendees, show exhibitors and lots of special guests including members of the Bahamas Tourist Office and representatives from Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour, and Bimini Bay Resort and Marina.

Bimini Bound January 22—Many Treasure Coast residents and boaters alike are no strangers to the island of Bimini. In pursuit of taking Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast to every island in the Bahamas, Radio Man and History Lady make Bimini their first island of 2010. Literally a “short hop” (58 miles east of Miami…a 20 minute plane ride), the island of Bimini (actually two islands, North and South Bimini), is loaded with fascinating history, legendary big game fishing, as in Ernest Hemingway’s favorite fishing grounds, a location of the much sought after Fountain of Youth, fantastic diving and much more.

Bimini Factoid—The island's name “Bimini” is derived from the Taino words “Bibi” (mother) and “Mini” (waters), meaning Mother of Many Waters. Taini is a Native American language of the Caribbean Islands.

Special thanks to the staff and management of Bimini Bay Resort and Marina for making this adventure possible.

Show listeners and blog readers, stay tuned. More details to unfold!

Marine Industries and Art ready to take center-stage on the Treasure Coast

How much information can you pack into a one hour show? Apparently quite a bit if you took in Friday's show!

Kicking off the first show of the year, Mark Amaral of the Association of Marina Industries (AMI) and Rachel LaMarre, co-coordinator of the International Marina and Boatyard Conference, called in from AMI headquarters in frigid Warren, Rhode Island. Mark and Rachel provided listeners with great information about the upcoming International Marina and Boatyard Conference slated for January 27-29 in Tampa, Florida. Over 600 persons are expected to attend from around the country and from around the world! Some as far away as Australia, the United Kingdom, Dubai and Spain. Florida is still an international tourism destination! 

Ft. Lauderdale is the location for the 2011 Conference. Could Martin County be the site of the 2012 conference?

Moving from conferences to fine arts and crafts, Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce volunteer Carla Stiles talked up the 4th Annual Jensen Beach Fine Arts and Crafts Show coming up January 16-17, which kicks off the 2010 Cultural Arts Season.

Next up was Capt.’s Chris and Alyse Caldwell pumping up the 36th Annual Stuart Boat Show and the 2nd Annual Cruiser Expo. Nearly 50 boats will be staying at Harborage Yacht Club and Marina. The boating community is certainly doing its part to boost marine tourism!

The sailfish bite in the 30th Annual Pelican Yacht Club Billfish Invitational, which ended the Treasure Coast Sailfish Championship for this season, was phenomenal! As of Wednesday, just after two days of fishing the 29 boats competing were zeroing in on the all time record of 386 releases set in 2004. The amazing thing is that in  2004, 53 boats were competing compared to 29 this year. Speaking of records, Talkin' Tourism co-host Robin Hicks-Connors shared the date of what year over 1,000 sailfish were caught in one week!

Thanks for tuning in. The next Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast will broadcast live from the Stuart Boat Show. Stop by the Flahama booth between 10 a.m. and 11 a..m. on Friday (January 15) to meet show hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors, and perhaps to say a few words on the air.

If you missed this week's show, you can download or listen to it here.

Boat Shows, Cruiser Expos, Tournament News, and Arts 'Season' is Upon Us

Happy 2010 to all our loyal listeners and fans from Martin County, the Treasure Coast, around the State, the Islands of the Bahamas and around the world!

As the show did in 2009, “Radio Man” (aka Gary Guertin) and “History Lady” (aka Robin Hicks-Connors) promise to bring you the best in tourism infomation, news, trends, events and sometimes even provocative topics.

So, we off and running with our first show of the new year, batteries charged, mike levels set and a great lineup of guests. Joining us this week is Captain’s Chris and Alyse Caldwell of Captain Chris Yacht Service, coordinators of the 2nd Annual Cruiser Expo, which is an integral part of the 36 Annual Stuart Boat Show that begins next Friday, January 15. This husband-wife team will describe what’s new and exciting this year, and give their predictions for attendance numbers, as well as their read on the current state of the boating industry.

This week, the Pelican Yacht Club Billfish Invitational Tournament wraps up sailfish tournament season and the Treasure Coast Sailfish Championship. Expect an update on standings.

The arts and craft show season starts in earnest this month. Guest Carla Siles will tell us what's happening and where.

Last, but not least, Rachel Lamarra and Mark Amaral of the Association of Marina Industries will be calling in to talk about the International Marina and Boatyard Conference being held in Tampa, January 27th through the 29th, 2010.

As you have come to expect, History Lady will have her “This Week in Martin County History” and "What’s Happening in Martin County," and maybe even a few surprises.

Tune in tomorrow (Friday, January 8) at 10 a.m., either on your radio dial--WPSL 1590 AM--or on your computer--www.wpsl.com. And as always, if you miss the live show, the audio will be posted here on the blog in a day or two.

We're on a roll!

Looks like we're on a roll here...another collaboration of sharing logos and links! Thanks Martin County Convention & Visitor's Bureau (MC-CVB).

Visitors (and residents) will find great information on accommodations, restaurants, shopping, festivals, beaches, fishing, boating and more on the CVB's site. Learn more about the flavors of Martin County!

Talkin' Tourism is working on making 2010 the 'Year of Tourism!'

Thanks for the Collaboration Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce!

Special thanks extended to the Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce for posting a link to the Talkin' Tourism on the Treasure Coast blogsite.