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.”

Spanish Galleons, Cracker Houses and Pint-Sized Florida Towns for Kids

Most museums on the Treasure Coast are devoted to specific genres that typically appeal more to adults...art museums, natural arts, period museums and historical museums. Enter the museum especially built for children, where everything is purposely designed with kids in mind. In Jensen Beach at Indian Riverside Park, the Treasure Coast is extremely fortunate to have a children's museum , and especially one that celebrates the Treasure Coast's heritage. What woulc be more fitting than exhibits like a 60-foot replica Spanish Galleon built exclusively for the enjoyment of children? Or a child-sized Floridian town, with a grocery store, a traditional Floridian cracker house, a wellness center and a beach-themed toddler play area?

This week the executive director of the Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast's executive director Tammy Calabria, will provide all the details on how this unique attraction for the Children's Museum became a reality. She'll also share the various educational enrichment activities at the museum that bring history alive for children.

Arts and culture are alive on the Treaasure Coast, even for children! Listen in tomorrow (Friday, January 7) to WPSL 1590 AM or online at http://www.wpsltv.com/ and learn more on how the Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast brings history alive!

Polo and Edu-tainment for Kids on Florida's Treasure Coast

The latest Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast started off with an impromptu annual board meeting called by show host and 'chairman' Gary Guertin. A quorum was present (that would be Gary and Robin). The audio files of the last 59 shows (aka 'minutes') were approved as submitted. Board member comments included, but were not limited to (1) Robin reporting on a great 'Field of Dreams' reception involving The Elliott Museum and (2) Gary announcing Harborage Yacht Club & Marina's partnership with the Sea Ray Owners Club. The 'financial report' indicated there is a growing need to seek show sponsors now that the show has a proven track-record after being on the air for over one year. With no further business to discuss, Robin motioned for adjournment.

Moving on to the topics of the day, Sean Clem, the director of marketing for Sunlight Saddle and Polo Club, was not at a loss of words. Sean described all of the equestrian-related activities going on at the converted 6,000-acre working ranch. Listeners who are polo enthusiasts might be aware of the many variations of polo that exist around the world, but Sean introduced one that left Gary and Robin speechless. If you're interested in learning how to play polo, Sean told listeners they don't need to have their own horse. Sunlight Saddle and Polo offers a complete package that will have you participating in the sport before you know it.

Next up were Tammy Calabria from the Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast and Christina Wagner, director of education and exhibits at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, to highlight fun educational activities for kids on the Treasure Coast. The kid activity “experts” shared the microphone with special 'kid correspondent,' Tommy Dolan, who is visiting the area from Maryland. Tommy  gave the 'kid's' perspective and as a home schooled student through the State of Maryland, Tommy shared he actually gets “snow days” here in Florida when his 'classmates' in Maryland get snowed in. Not a bad deal!

If you missed the show, you can download or listen to it HERE.