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FLORIDA GOLD GROUP MEDIA RELEASE

Capt. Ralph Allen Elected President of

Florida Outdoor Writers Association

Proprietor of Punta Gorda-based King Fisher Fleet to Lead State Association

CHARLOTTE HARBOR & THE GULF ISLANDS, Fla. (September 15, 2009) – Capt. Ralph Allen, proprietor of Punta Gorda-based King Fisher Fleet, has been elected President of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association, the state’s association for outdoor communicators. He accepted the position during the Annual Meeting held at the Holiday Inn & Suites Ocala Conference Center in Ocala, Fla., August 26 – 29 and will serve a one-year term.

Since 1985, Capt. Allen has owned and operated King Fisher Fleet, a fishing and sightseeing boat tour operation based out of Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda. King Fisher Fleet is recognized as one of the best charter services in Southwest Florida and since 1996 has been consistently voted “Best Charter Boats in Charlotte County” by Charlotte Sun-Herald Readers Choice Poll.

A 1977 graduate of Charlotte High, Capt. Allen holds a degree in Ocean Engineering (magna cum laude) from the Florida Institute of Technology and when not fishing, he contributes his time and services to various committees and organizations including the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Reef Fish Advisory Panel, Charlotte County Tourist Development Council, Charlotte County Sea Grant Advisory Panel, Charlotte Harbor Reef Association, and Fishermen’s Village Merchant’s Association. He is a weekly columnist for the Waterline boating and fishing section of the Charlotte Sun-Herald newspaper, Southwest Regional Editor of Florida Sportsman magazine, and author of A Tackle Box Guide to Common Fishes of Southwest Florida, published by the University of Florida.

Founded in 1946, FOWA works to enhance the economic well-being of its members through organized events, education and general craft improvement in all segments of media. The 300-member association also provides information about issues related to Florida's wildlife, rivers, forest, wetlands, estuaries, and other natural resources. The Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau has been a member of FOWA since 2003 and Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands hosted this prestigious group in 2008.

About Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands

Located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is a charming collection of nine coastal communities surrounding the state’s second largest harbor. Florida’s premier year-round eco-tourism destination, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands offers a pristine unspoiled beauty that has served as the backdrop for seven major feature films as well as countless memorable vacations. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands has been named to SAIL magazine’s “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” ranked by Golf Digest as “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America,” and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in the South.” Port Charlotte was named “Best Place to Retire” by MONEY magazine in September. The city of Punta Gorda was named in 2008 as one of “Top Ten Places to Retire Healthy” by U.S. News & World Report. Englewood, Fla. was named as #2 of the Top Ten emerging travel destinations in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.com.

For information about area events, activities and attractions, contact the Charlotte Harbor Visitor’s Bureau, 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte, FL 33948; 941-743-1900, or call toll free at 1-800-652-6090 for a free Visitor’s Guide; or visit the Web site at www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com.