The Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society (PGHMS) began in 1995 with a dream to feature historic and educational murals around the City of Punta Gorda. Today, as part of the Florida Mural Trail, the mission of PGHMS is to preserve and share the rich history of the Punta Gorda area through the beauty of public mural art.

As a non-profit, one of their main fundraisers is to host walking tours of the city’s murals three months of the year. However, a major highway runs through the town of Punta Gorda, creating a noisy environment that prohibited tourists and visitors from hearing the docents and learning about the rich history captured in the murals. 

When someone suggested using audio equipment for their tours, Kelly Gaylord, President of the Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society, reached out to Tripp Communications Systems to find a solution that would elevate their tours.

Walking Tour Communication Challenges

Before they adopted the audio system, the PGHMS tours were limited to about 10 participants per group because the noise from the highway running through town posed significant challenges. Kelly explains, “Everyone had to huddle closely around the docent to hear what was being said.”

Whenever the group stopped to discuss a mural, the noise from passing trucks or motorcycles often interrupted the docents, forcing them to frequently repeat themselves. The loud sound environment was especially difficult for guests using hearing aids. 

The walk between murals presented additional hurdles, with little opportunity for questions or group discussions. 

“Between the murals, we could not share more history or effectively answer any questions other than one-on-one. More docents were needed on the tour so that people felt like they could ask questions,” says Kelly.

To provide a more enjoyable, inclusive, and educational experience, the PGHMS needed a tour audio system that blocked external noise, enhanced hearing for participants, and easily allowed for larger group communication. It was also important for earpieces to be comfortable for the duration of the two-hour tour and compatible with hearing aids.

Two-Way Communication: A Game-Changing Solution

Implementing the two-way communication system was easy for the PGHMS and has truly transformed their tours. 

“It was a game changer for us,” says Kelly. The earphones block out all the distracting noise and guests can clearly hear what the docents are saying. 

“Once we started using the equipment, we were able to increase the number of participants on our tours, and we were able to talk and share more history and stories as we walked between murals.”
–Kelly Gaylord, President of the Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society 

Both PGHMS and their guests feel that the audio system has increased the quality, enjoyment, and value of the tours. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and the proof is apparent– “Very rarely are tours not sold out anymore,” shares Kelly.

This enhanced quality and value allowed the mural society to increase tour group sizes and ticket prices, a crucial part of funding for the non-profit. The system also allows for two docents to communicate with the participants during a tour. In regard to implementing the tour audio system from Tripp Communications, Kelly says, “It has really paid us back in spades. The equipment and customer support has been outstanding.”

Superior Customer Service

Kelly and the Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society found Ted Tripp to be helpful, understanding, and invested in setting them up with the perfect audio system for their needs.

“Ted was excellent. He started by asking a lot of questions. He really wanted to understand what exactly we’d be using it for and what functionality we would need. And he hit the nail on the head with the system he recommended. He was really amazing.”

Tripp Communications Systems provided a demo kit so that PGHMS could try out the audio system and test how it might work for them. This was important since they had never used this kind of technology before. The test kit also allowed them to demonstrate to grant providers what the Society could do with the system and how it would improve the tours. This ultimately helped them secure the funding for the tour audio system. 

When the Mural Society noticed that some participants were having issues with the earpieces staying put while walking, Ted found a different style earpiece that he believed would work better for them. He sent samples for them to try, and he was right. The new earpieces were more comfortable, especially for those wearing hearing aids, stayed on better while walking the 2-mile tour, and were easier for tour participants to put on.

“Ted was one of the primary reasons we ended up purchasing the system,” says Kelly. “We could tell that he would provide excellent customer service and support, and he has.”

The integration of a tour audio system from Tripp Communications has not only resolved the auditory challenges faced by the Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society during their walking tours, but it has also elevated the entire tour experience.