Tourism 101: CVBs, TDCs and C of Cs

For the first time in the history of Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast, tourism gurus from Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin Counties will be in the studio at the same time. What a coup! With National Tourism Week coming up quickly (May 8-16), the timing is perfect.

All three ladies have appeared on the show at one time or another in the last year. This week, we reconvene with Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Rozeta Mahboubi, St. Lucie County Tourism Development Council coordinator Charlotte Lombard and Mary Jayne Kelly, executive director of the Cultural Council of Indian River County. With these three lively ladies in the house (and History Lady thrown into the mix), we’ll need two hours on the air!

Let's see what nuggets of knowledge these tourism leaders can unearth about their multi-county collaboration plans and goals. Our three Treasure Coast experts will also discuss how their strategies for bringing in tourism have to be tailored specifically for their counties.

Has anything yet come from the St. Lucie County/Grand Bahama Island initiative? Comet Creative advertising and marketing master George Byfield may bring you up to date on that as well.

Another installment of Talkin' Tourism is on the way, this Friday at 10 a.m. Tune into WPSL AM 1590, or http://www.wpsl.com/ for all the witty banter and tourism tidbits you can handle!

Photo from StuartFla.com

A Killer summer fishing season is underway

When Ed Killer is in the house, you know that all things fishing, boating and tournament related will be on top of the agenda.

In his return to Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (Ed first appeared February 27 of last year) the man behind the outdoors and fishing reporting for Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers was definitely not at a loss for words. As promised, Ed gave us a great rundown of summer fishing tournament season - which, believe it or not, has already kicked off. Just in the month of May, the Treasure Coast is looking at 14 total tournaments!

Summer tournament season also means fishing tourism season for our area. Ed quotes some numbers that are pretty darn phenomenal, in terms of bringing in tourism dollars. Even though a specific tournament may only be a two or three-day affair, visiting anglers stay even longer than that, and….ca-ching (if you know what I mean).

Greg McCampbell, chairman of the Treasure Coast Builders Association's 24th Annual Memorial Weekend Fishing Tournament, was next in the guest seat. A veteran chairman of this event, Greg gave Gary and Robin the low-down on what changes are in store for this year, including a new venue that brings the tournament back to it roots. Where? Listen and learn!
Radio Man gave Ed another shot in the guest seat after the break. Known as an advocate for our oceans and coastal resources, Ed shared his thoughts on the recent oil rig disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. He also delved into his views on how continuing the discharges from Lake “O” impacts the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon. There is no doubt that Ed is passionate about these issues. We could have gone on for another two hours.

At the top of the show, Radio Man queried History Lady about her recent international tourism experience with some gents from down under. Could it have been more than she expected…or wanted?
Download and listen to the show to find out…you won’t be disappointed.

Thanks for listening, and be sure to check out Talkin' Tourism on Facebook!

Killer hits the airwaves to kick off summer tournament fishing season

The Harborage Yacht Club & Marina Reel Sassy
fishing team at last year's Frances Langford Memorial
Tournament, comprised of Heather Oblaczynski,
Dierdre Murray, Robin Hicks-Connors and
Desiree Mufson

It seems like just a couple of weeks ago we were getting ready for the 2009-2010 sailfish tournament season on the Treasure Coast.

But summer is just around the corner, and that means Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast is ready to hit the waters for this summer's inshore and offshore tournaments.

It sure feels like the summer season is kicking into gear earlier and earlier, especially with the number of tournaments added year-by-year. For decades, tournament fishing - and fishing in general - has been able to reel in both local and out-of-town fishermen who want to land some local catches. Martin County and the Treasure Coast are blessed with some of the most diverse fishing holes in this part of the country. With the Bahamas just a hop, skip, and a jump from most of the Treasure Coast and South Florida, the fishing crowd can't go wrong stopping by our area to try their luck.


On Friday, we'll get together with local fishing guru Ed Killer, whose headshot and byline are probably pretty familiar if you're a Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers subscriber. As the area's outdoors reporter, Ed is one of the best resources for the area's angler history and current fishing climate. Ed will hit on the key fishing happenings coming up, including the Frances Langford Memorial Inshore Tournament, the world-famous “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing” seminar this weekend, and a host of terrific tournaments hitting our shores in the next few months. Ed will shed some light on how the summer tournament scene shapes the area's marine and related tourism. And, per usual, no fishing topic is sacred when Ed's in the house.

Ever wonder how the fastest fish in the sea became know as a wahoo? Maybe Ed knows.

The man behind a 24-year Memorial Weekend staple, Greg McCampbell, will also stop by to talk about the Treasure Coast Builders Association's 2010 inshore and offshore tournament. Be sure to check it out what the chairman has assembled with his committee for the May 28-30 event at Pirates Cove Resort and Marina.

As always - well, most of the time - History Lady will be in the co-host seat with all of her regular segments, and Radio Man, a.k.a. Caribbean Cowboy, has your Bahamas update. Tune in Friday, 10 a.m. on WPSL AM 1590, or at http://www.wpsl.com/ and help Talkin' Tourism ring in the new fishing season!

From Golden Gate to Morocco, and hitting the road AAA-style

Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast learned how to help out at home by going worlds away this week, and it all comes down to a historic building in need of restoration in Stuart, Fla.

Flahama - the Bahamas-to-Florida tourism linkage - is one thing, but how could meandering through Morocco benefit the Treasure Coast? Sally Dadko, a world traveler and former Martin County Preservation Board chairman, and Saadia Tsaftarides, born in Morocco and now a Stuart resident, have brainstormed a plan to skip a continent away while supporting restoration efforts for the Golden Gate Building.

The pair plans to raffle off a trip to Saadia's home country, while the proceeds will help bring the Golden Gate Building back to its classic state from when it was first built in 1925. With Saadia as the hometown tour guide, the 8-day, 7-night Moroccan trip promises to peruse through some incredible history, culture, and maybe even a party or two with Saadia's family.

It was truly fascinating to learn what Morocco was up to in terms of bringing in tourism - many thanks, Saadia and Sally, for stopping by!

Padiddles, paduncles (both with surprising amounts of rules for being played inside a car) and the latest word on the American Automobile Association - or AAA - were the areas of expertise shared by guest Sandy Snyder, a 30-year veteran of AAA. Who would have guessed that an organization founded in 1902 to promote more roadways for Americans would lead to an organization 50 million strong in North America? Listen in to hear what AAA has in store for its members these days. They're not just the tow-truck and mapbook folks, that's for sure.

This week's show also recapped how a friend of Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast is spearheading an children’s eco-project on the island of Bimini, who declared that “Fridays are Free” until September 30th, 2010, upcoming fishing tournaments in the Abacos, and most important, where History Lady ran off to last week.

As always, you can catch Radio Man and History Lady at 10 a.m. Fridays on 1590 AM WPSL, or http://www.wpsl.com/.

VISIT FLORIDA Insider blogs about Indiantown

Two show's ago, VISIT FLORIDA Insider Hilda Mitrani was a guest on Talkin' Tourism. After the show, Hilda set out off the beaten path to explore Indiantown in western Martin County. Check out her adventures in the heart of Florida's cattle and citrus country and the array of activities to be found.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Jim Morse

Road Trippin' with AAA and Moroccan the Kasbah

There 's no question that Americans have a love affair with the automobile. Since the invention of cars, we've passionately scoured our highways and byways, unearthing new experiences and adventures once unimaginable. Our old four-wheeled friend usually stirs up memories of car-packed-to-the-brim family vacations. Without a doubt, culture and lifestyle in the states have been molded by the modern automotive.

Everyone remembers - or was - that brother or sister: “Daddy, are we there yet?...Daddy, I don’t feel so good..." We counted padiddles (cars with one headlight) to pass the time. Stuckey’s and Pedro’s South of the Border billboards, The Berma Shave signs, all of these helped shape our family vacation memories on the open road en route to our personal Wally Worlds.

This week, Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast meets up with Sandy Snyder, who is dedicated to serving drivers on the Treasure Coast. Sandy, who works with the Stuart American Automobile Association, or AAA, can attest that AAA is more than just emergency road service, maps and tour books. Founded in 1902, AAA was a response to the lack of roads and highways suitable for cars, and has evolved from 1,000 original charter members to 50 million North Americans with AAA cards today.  

Our next guests will show how a trip more than 4,000 miles away can help preserve our local history. Sally Dadko and Saadia Tsaftarides will share their efforts to restore the Golden Gate Building, which was constructed in 1925, the year Martin County became Martin County. Sally and Radio Man have a long history of tourism related initiatives, including Martin County International Club. To raise funds for this preservation effort, the group is raffling off a trip to exotic Morocco, complete with a party hosted by Saadia's family! Saadia, who lives in Stuart, will lead a tour of the country, specifically her village, where her family will show how the Moroccans party at her grandfather’s Kasbah!

So listeners, get ready for another wild and informative show. And, by the way, we may even learn where History Lady went when she went underground last week.

As always, tune in Friday at 10 a.m. on WPSL AM 1590, or check us out online at http://www.wpsl.com/!

Photo from www.morocco-holidays-guide.co.uk

The new Buzz around Fort Pierce, and your friendly neighborhood pirate

Well, me saucy wenches and scalawags, this week’s show was a-Buzz with excitement, fun and tons of information. It even included a professional pillager of a guest, well-known Treasure Coast privateer Don Pedro Gilberto. For the non-pirating audience out there, a privateer is a pirate who is officially sanctioned by a national power.

Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast had Ed Griffith fill in for History Lady, who went underground to do some special recon for next week’s show. Ed, thanks for a fabulous job once again! First up was Buzz Smyth, self-proclaimed "Tourism Warrior" of Fort Pierce. Buzz proved to be a formidable opponent for Radio Man in the tourism realm, and there is no doubt - he's working his biscuits off to make things happen in Fort Pierce. Listen in and find out what pixie dust he’ll sprinkle around town to help bring in the crowds.

Gary and Ed were pleased to have privateer Don Pedro Gilberto join the fray. A bit of a scalawag, but nevertheless, he really added another dimension to the show. Officially sanctioned by the Treasure Coast region, he reflected on his past days sailing the high seas off the Treasure Coast. In fact, there's still a motherload of booty for our visitors to discover on the Treasure Coast, according to Don Pedro…What say you, Matey? Got a treasure map to borrow, by any chance?

Talkin' Tourism also brought in another VISIT FLORIDA Insider this week, and just like Jill Martin in last week's show, Hilda Mitrani knows how to travel around the Sunshine State. Hilda, an Off-the-Beaten-Path Insider, has a reputation for finding Florida's hidden gems.

Specializing in the lesser-known Florida activities and destinations, Hilda was duly impressed with the area and plans to promote the Treasure Coast in a big way on her VISIT FLORIDA blog. Listen in and hear what Hilda has to say about the Treasure Coast!

Until next time landlubbers, you know where to find those scurvy dogs who talk about tourism - check out the show Fridays at 10 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM, or log onto http://www.wpsl.com/!

News Flash: History Lady out for Friday, Possibly a Special Guest in?

The Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast news department just received word from reliable sources that co-host History Lady (Robin) is going underground and will be out of commission for this week’s show.

So, will Radio Man face an formidable panel of guests on his own this Friday? Or will Courtyard by Marriott Hutchinson Island general manager and guest co-host Ed Griffith be available? Will a celebrity guest co-host sit in to offer some fresh perspective?

Tune in Friday at 10 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM to find out, or check out the show at http://www.wpsl.com/!

Ladies are Landing the Big Ones, Thanks to Betty

Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast is on a roll! For the second time in two weeks, Robin and Gary are going to have a VISIT FLORIDA Insider in the house.

Our upcoming guest Hilda Mitrani knows Martin County might not exactly be a tourist destination, but that's exactly why the Treasure Coast area might appeal to her. As a VISIT FLORIDA Off the Beaten Path Insider, Hilda seeks out the nooks and crannies of Florida looking for diamond-in-the-rough attractions. A big city Miami native herself, Hilda might just help put Martin County on the beaten path when she checks out and talks up the area's charm.

Will the self-designated “tourism warrior,” Radio Man, a.k.a. Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau Chairman Gary Guertin, meet his match? This week you will meet Harold “Buzz” Smyth, whose both nickname and tourism prowess rival Radio Man. Buzz recently accepted a professional services contract with the city of Fort Pierce to jumpstart the tourism effort in this historic Florida coastal city. What pixie dust can he sprinkle on tourism stakeholders that the Tourism Development Council and other organizations already haven't tried? Should be a very interesting discussion with this idea man.

Get ready fellas, because the ladies are dropping anchor in the fishing world. Betty Bauman, founder of the popular and well-publicized “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” seminars, will be talking with us about angling for the X chromosome. Her one-of-a-kind program provides women of all ages the chance to learn the ropes - from backing a boat trailer to rigging ballyhoo, and from using a cast net to offshore and inshore angling. Betty will call in this Friday to let us know when Ladies, Let's Go Fishing! will be hitting our area again.

Tune in to start your weekend early on Friday (10 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM or www.wpsl.com), and hear what Betty, Buzz and Hilda have to say during this week’s edition of Talkin' Tourism with your hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors.

--Photo from ladiesletsgofishing.com

Talking Top Florida Destinations with a Family Vacation Guru

This week, our special guest Jill Martin, a VISIT FLORIDA Family Insider, definitely had some terrific insight about which Sunshine State attractions are the best around from her family travels.

History Lady and Radio Man got to pick Jill's brain during Friday's Talkin' Tourism on the Treasure Coast, and the blogging-savvy mom of two boys didn't disappoint.

Great minds must think alike though. After discussing the "Top 10 Florida Destinations” listed by About.com Florida Travel, Gary and Jill drafted up their own top 10s, and they looked more than a little familiar. Their lists weren't mirror images though. Have a listen to the show to find out where they were different. But - no real spoiler alert here - that fuzzy-eared mouse in Orlando stills reigns supreme in his Magic Kingdom.

Jill also gave a run-down on how VISIT FLORIDA, the state's official tourism promoter, helps keep bringing in vacationers worldwide. Jill, kudos on being such a great guest!

Talkin' Tourism also brought its listeners up to speed on some sportfishing competition hitting the area soon. Keep an eye out for tournaments at Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour and Treasure Cay.

An article praising seasonal residents by Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers Columnist Russ Lemmon was another topic the show talked up this week. Take a look at what Russ wrote and how the show responded to what Russ has seen the valued "snowbird" community contribute through volunteering.

As always, thanks for listening and checking out the blog, and make sure you become a Talkin' Tourism fan on our Facebook Page!