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!