Travel Safety and Surfing from Sebastian to Stuart

Laura Passanisi, Justin Beard and Talkin' Tourism's Gary Guertin
ready to talk travel safety and surfing!

Laura Passanisi, from the Martin County Sherriff’s Department, was today's featured guest.  Laura, a law enforcement and crime prevention specialist, had a wealth of “common sense” information for persons that travel for both business and pleasure.  When do you place your valuables in the trunk of your car when going to the beach or other isolated location?  What should you do when returning to your hotel room after dark or entering into your room after checking in? Should you open the door for “room service” or “maintenance/housekeeping” knocking at your door? It may be common sense, but Laura really opened our eyes to making sure that we are aware of our surroundings when traveling.

The beaches, are one of the Treasure Coast's  greatest assets. Thousands upon thousands of visitors and locals alike enjoy the wide variety of beaches along the Treasure Coast. Justin Beard and Talkin’ Tourism host Gary Guertin had a blast checking out the surf breaks from Sebastian Inlet to Stuart.  While co-host Robin Hicks-Connors certainly loves the beach, she became a little lost with the surf lingo….shore break…close out….tube…wedge at Sebastian Inlet…Monster Hole…peak…single fin???? If you are a surf dude or dudettes, you’ll have it wired.

Last but certainly not least, Justin shared all the great details of the 4th Annual Single Fin Showdown scheduled for March 17th at Stuart  Beach, Florida.  Surfers from around Florida will be checking into this great event to benefit, which will benefit the United Way of Martin County!

Here's the Talkin' Tourism February 24th show file for your listening pleasure! 

Comments, questions and suggestions are always welcomed!

Surf's Up!

For all of the surf dudes and dudettes out there in radio land, this week show hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors are hitting the beaches of the Treasure Coast. From Sebastian to Jupiter, the Treasure Coast has some of the finest beaches in Florida. We'll explore these with Ohana Surf Shop owner Jordan Schwartz and veteran surfer Justin Beard. Having lived the surfer life-style for years and actually moving to Florida from the chilly New England waters in search of the perfect wave (or at least warmer water), Radio Man surfed all of these beach years ago. Want to know the best surf breaks along the Treasure Coast?  What's the latest on the surfing scene? This week's show will reveal those answers and more!

Speaking of surfing, while we have Jordan and Justin in the studio, we'll give all the details of the 4th Annual Single Fin Showdown, taking place at Stuart Beach on March 17th.  This retro and popular surf contest has gotten bigger and better every year. What’s on tap this year? Based upon past showdowns, this event will continue to draw surfers and friends to Stuart from across the state.  We'll cover those points, along with the local non-profit that will benefit from the funds raised during the event. The last couple of years, Talkin’ Tourism's own Gary Guertin has been a judge. Will he judge again this year? Tune in for the scoop.

And, depending on the time, all the usual and sometimes unusual regular show features, upcoming events and more will be covered. If you are a local, thanks for supporting the tourism industry! And, if you are a visitor, thanks for spending time on Florida's Treasure Coast.

The fun begins on Friday at 10:05 a.m. You can catch the live radio broadcast on WPSL 1590 AM or you can catch the live Internet stream at www.wpsltv.com. Time to wax up. See you in the morning!

Good Art and Surfing Vibrations on the Treasure Coast

Last Friday’s show was billed as a show that would explain and verify the fact that destinations with a strong commitment to arts and culture, benefit from the investment in the form of increased tourism. To illustrate that very point, Radio Man shared statistics on Canada’s commitment to arts and culture, which were pretty amazing. The Green Party of Canada, the government’s investment of $7.7 billion, generated $40 billion for the Canadian economy—a return on investment of 500%! 

Nancy Turrell, the executive director of The Arts Council of Martin County, was equally passionate about the importance of art and cultural tourism for the U.S. economy as well. Narrowing it down a little closer to home, Nancy talked about next weekend's ArtsFest, the 24th annual festival, and clarified what makes this art-centric event unique from the others along the Treasure Coast.

From the early days, surfing has always been about the search for “the perfect wave." The Endless Summer (released in 1964), was a classic film portraying surfers who traveled the world in search of the ultimate wave. These travels by adventurous young surfers, opened up exotic tropical paradises to a broader market of tropical adventure escapes and experiences. Ohana Surf Shop owner Jordan Schwartz could not agree more with that statement. The upcoming Single Fin Showdown, which will benefit the United Way of Martin County, will bring surfing enthusiasts from across Florida for this fun “retro” event. Whether you are a surfing enthusiast or not, most of us have been touched by surf culture in one way or another.

So listeners, wax your board, jump into your woodie and head on down to the closest arts show or surfing competition. If you need some inspiration, download last week's show. Before you know it, you'll be humming a Beach Boy's tune, hanging ten, or painting flowers on your car! See you on Friday for another hour filled show loaded with tourism information from near and far that you won't want to miss!

Arts, Culture and Hanging Ten!

Chase Roberts cuts back on a wave during the 2010
Stuart Single Fin Showdown. Photo credit: Dick Hall.

There are many attributes that help define the marketability of a tourist destination. Among the most notable of these is a destination’s commitment to arts and culture. Some of the keybenefits of a strong arts and cultural component to a destination and community are:

(1) it generates clean industries;
(2) proliferates small enterprises;
(3) increases people’s pride in the place they live; and
(4) supports the tourism industry and improves the quality of life for residents.

Drilling down to the local level, Nancy Turrell, executive director of The Arts Council, will be in the studio to provide her thoughts on cultural tourism and share with listeners all the nitty gritty on the upcoming ArtsFest, which is produced by the Arts Council. Joining Nancy for this conversation will be Thomas Winter, the award-winning photographer, who is the festival's featured artist this year.

From arts and culture to surfing culture? Absolutely! We’ll bridge this gap with Ohana Surf Shop owner/operator Jordan Schwartz. On the very same weekend as ArtsFest, the third annual Single Fin Showdown surfing contest, which benefits the United Way of Martin County, will be taking place on Stuart Public Beach. A unique event among surf contests, in which competitors use 1970's era vintage surf boards, this competition will bring surfer dudes and dudettes from around Florida. Surfing tourism you ask? Cowabunga! Surfing and the surf culture has had an enormous role in the migration of enthusiasts to the coast and to destinations around the world in search of that perfect wave. Radio Man is looking forward to this conversation!

So, lots of art, culture and hanging ten are in store for you this week, along with the latest tourism info on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond!).

A Commissioner's Perspective and Surfin' Florida USA

After last week's live remote from Costa d'Este, which Gary had fun hyping to Robin since she missed out on the experience, both were ensconced back at Harborage Yacht Club & Marina and were back on track.  Before tourism talk could resume, both shared highpoints from the past two weeks. First, Robin shared that the Historical Society received an Addy from the Treasure Coast Ad Federation and Gary shared he'd been appointed to a national marina legislation committee and served on a LEADERSHIP Martin County economic panel, representing the marine and tourism industries. Congratulations to both!

Martin County Commission Board Chairman Doug Smith was first up this week and shared with listeners his thoughts on a variety of local, regional and state industry issues. Commissioner Smith also shared his opinon on offshore oil drilling in Florida. Other topics discussed included collaboration among tourism stakeholders and whether a convention center was in the future.

Next up were Justin Beard, the director of communications for the United Way of Martin County and Jordan Schwartz, owner of Ohana Surf Shop on Hutchinson Island. Both got the Talkin' Tourism hosts in the groove for the upcoming Stuart Single Fin Showdown surf contest, an event purposely designed to be a great seaside family event. And, whether you are a surf dude or dudette, or even a spectator, a fun day should be enjoyed by all. Jordan promises the surf gods are predicting a good swell for the event. History Lady had a hand in this year’s event and is hosting the Palm Beach County Surfing History Project at the Elliott Museum. Cowabunga! Robin!!

Next, the show took a side trip to old Cape Cod. "Moonlight and sand dunes and salty air, quaint little villages here and there," thanks for the memories Patti Page.

Last, lyrical tourism? Will someone eventually write and record the Treasure Coast anthem? Where are you Mr. Buffett?

If you missed the show, this week's audio can be downloaded HERE. Enjoy your weekend! See you next Friday.

Surf Boards, Commission Boards, and Old Cape Cod

This week Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast is back in the Captain’s Lounge of Harborage Yacht Club and Marina. What’s up this week? The surf! Guest Justin Beard, the communications and marketing director at the United Way of Martin County, joins History Lady and Radio Man to promote and chat about the 2010 Stuart Single Fin Showdown surf contest slated for March 20 to benefit the United Way. Based on the success of last year’s inaugural event, this year’s contest should be terrific.

Learn how many contest participants are expected from out of town, the profile of the average participant and their families, what professional surfers are expected to make appearances, and how the Elliott Museum ties into the event. Will Radio Man agree to serve as a judge this year? Tune in to learn the answer to this question and more.

Current Martin County Board of County Commissioners Chairman and representative to the Martin County Tourist Development Council (TDC) Doug Smith will also be joining the show this week. Martin County's support and recognition of the importance of tourism industry in the county is vital to the industy's ultimate success.

Topics up for discussion with Commissioner Smith include whether the opportunity for collaboration with tourism officials in St. Lucie and Indian River counties exists, his thoughts on the prospect of offshore oil drilling, his vision of the future for tourism in Martin County, and whatever else Gary or Robin may throw his way.

Next up, Cape Cod. This week, one of the best-selling female artists in traditional pop music from the 1950's—Patti Page—was honored on the Cape. Why? And how does it have anything to do with tourism?  Listen ito this Friday's show and you'll know why.

Last, we'll touch upon songs like Girl From Ipanema, April in Paris, I Left My heart in San Francisco, Kokomo, and Margaritaville. All certainly promote destinations and cities, real or imagined. Do song lyrics promote tourism? Gary and Robin we'll give you their thoughts on Friday.

This Friday at 10 a.m., tune your radio dial to WPSL 1590 AM or your computer to http://www.wpsl.com/ to enjoy the next live show of Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast with your hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors.

Stuart Single Fin Showdown and St. Lucie Tourism Feb 20 Show Recap

Listeners of the Feb 20 Talkin' Tourism radio show, now know how surfing brought the show's host, Gary Guertin, to Stuart. The United Way of Martin County's first ever surfing contest--Stuart Single Fin Showdown--slated March 14 and 15 at Stuart Beach, is expected to attract several hundred surfing fans to the area.

Justin Beard, communications director of the United Way, host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors touch on the fact that the sport of surfing does have an impact on tourism.

For those listeners who might want to participate in the contest but don't have a board--no problem! Authentic 70s singlefin will be provided to all surfers who enter the competition, and to make it more challenging, those who advance into later rounds will have to ride a different singlefin during each heat. For more information on the surfing contest, click HERE.

Justin promises this is going to be a fun contest where surfers who normally rip on their modern tri-fin shortboard will have to adjust to surfing with a totally different style. Show host Gary Guertin has signed up to be a judge for the inaugural contest.

The second half of the show explores St. Lucie county tourism programs and funding. Charlotte Lombard, Tourism Development Manager for St. Lucie County, who by the way is an avid surfer, profiles where the county's 5% bed tax goes: first 3-cents goes to the Tradition Station operations; the second 1-cent goes to marketing; and the third 1-cent is divided 33.5% to tourism related capital projects, with the remaining 66.5% going to Tradition Stadium bonds.

George Byfield the CEO/Creative Director of Comet Creative, Inc., the advertising agency of record for St. Lucie County tourism programs, talks about his vision to create a "new" destination package to sell that brings tourists to both St. Lucie County and Grand Bahama. Officials have been speaking with Spirit Airlines and other air carriers to connect St. Lucie County International Airport to Grand Bahama, but no agreements are in place yet.

Expected call-in guest James Turner, Executive Vice-President of the Grand Bahama Tourism Promotion Board, wasn't able to join the group, but is expected to join a Grand Bahama delegation coming to St. Lucie County March 4 through March 7.

When the audio clip from Feb 20 show is available, it'll be posted here.