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NEWS IN BRIEF
Tourism Industry News and Awards Announced at MTTS
Maryland's tourism industry met for the 34th annual Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit (MTTS), Nov. 12-14 at The Hilton Suites Ocean City and the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. The three-day event brought hundreds of tourism and hospitality industry leaders from across the State to learn the latest in marketing, sales, public relations, social media and advocacy trends.
The keynote “State of the State Tourism” presentation by Margot A. Amelia, executive director, Maryland Office of Tourism, highlighted several “chest-thumping” industry achievements. Executive Director Amelia cited Tourism’s GDP growth of more than 3.6 percent over four consecutive years for a total increase of 21 percent since 2006, outperforming the state’s overall GDP growth of 17.5 percent, with a GDP of nearly $83 billion from 2007-2013. Visitor spending over the same period totaled $97.1 billion, and annual spending has increased nearly 25 percent over the 2006 number to a record-breaking $15.4 billion. Tourism, one of the top 10 private employers in the state, has also been a leader in job growth. Tourism employment grew 2.2 percent in 2013, outpacing the state’s overall growth rate of 0.8 percent, and has paid $31.5 billion in salaries over the same period and grown 30 percent as an annual figure compared to 2006.
In addition to the presentation, executive director Amelia was awarded the Maryland Tourism Coalition's (MTC) inaugural Chairman's Award for Outstanding Leadership. The MTC cited Amelia's vision, guidance, support, industry experience and praised her unflagging commitment to the Maryland tourism industry.
The Maryland Office of Tourism also announced the recipients of its annual tourism awards during a Thursday luncheon. The awards recognize excellence and major contributions in economic impact, green/sustainable tourism, cultural heritage tourism and elevating Maryland's image as a tourism destination and were presented by DBED assistant secretary, Tourism, Film and the Arts Hannah L. Byron, Maryland Office of Tourism executive director Amelia and Maryland Tourism Development board chair Greg Shockley. Shockley was also awarded the Maryland Tourism Award which was presented by Governor Martin O’Malley in a video recorded for the event. A full list of winners can be found here. That evening the newly renamed Maryland Tourism Coalition and the Maryland Association of Destination Marketing Organizations held a banquet to announce the recipients of their respective awards.
22nd Annual Fall Classic Rock Fish Tournament Set for November 22 & 23
Anglers from across the East Coast and beyond will descend on Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay for the 22nd Annual Fall Classic, and early reports point to a strong year for stripers on the bay. Organizers expect to draw about 200 boats and thousands of fishermen and women all angling for tens of thousands of dollars in prize money. The Fall Classic has become the preeminent striped bass tournament in the nation and not only awards competitors based on their tournament catch, but serves as the crowning stage of the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishing Association (MSSA) tournaments. The captain amassing the most points over all four will be named the MSSA’s Captain of the Year. The tournament is open to the length and breadth of the Maryland Chesapeake and all of its Maryland tributaries with eight weigh stations across the state.
Maryland Art Marketplace Encourages Artists to Register Ahead of Launch
In advance of launching its new Maryland Art Marketplace, the MSAC is inviting Maryland artists of all disciplines to sign-up for the Maryland Artist Registry, and encouraging those with online selling sites for their art, crafts or artistic merchandise to opt-in to the Maryland Art Marketplace. Launching later this fall, the Maryland Art Marketplace will be an online shopping hub for Maryland-made art—including books, music and visual art.
The Maryland Art Marketplace will be promoted by the MSAC and its partners and will focus on directing buyers and gift-givers to Maryland artists’ online selling sites while continuing to connect Maryland artists—even those who don’t sell online—with opportunities and exposure. For more information, visit the Maryland State Arts Council or e-mail registry administrator Paul Short.
Buy Local. Shop Main Street
Take shopping local to the next level with the Maryland Directory’s Make It To Main Street feature – an online database of Maryland products made in Main Streets and/or sold by Main Street businesses. Whether you are looking for a one-of-a-kind gift or an everyday item, search for jewelry, artwork, clothing, soaps, beauty products, foods and more, then “Make It To Main Street” and shop directly from manufacturers, makers and businesses with the Main Street Maryland icon on their listing.
You can also help more people Make It To Main Street! Are you or someone you know a manufacturer, maker, artist or agricultural enterprise that is doing business in a Main Street Maryland community or wants to? Are you a Main Street merchant offering Maryland made products? Visit www.BuyMarylandDirectory.com and register today to be included in the Buy Maryland Directory’s Make It To Main Street! For more information contact info@BuyMarylandDirectory.com.
National Aquarium Welcomes Visitors with Special Pricing
The National Aquarium has announced several reduced pricing offers for visitors. The Aquarium’s popular Fridays after Five reduced pricing for visitors has been extended year round. The Aquarium will also be hosting, “Maryland Mornings” from September through February. Tickets for Maryland residents who visit the Aquarium Sunday through Friday before noon will be $10 off for adults and $5 for seniors and children. December 6 and 7 will be dollar days with admission for just $1, and Sunday, January 11 will be the Aquarium’s first “Pay What You Want Day” for Maryland residents with admissions going directly to support animal rescue, harbor rehabilitation projects and education programs. Click here for more information.
- Maryland Minute
On CBS radio stations in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. plus WBAL-AM, Margot Amelia is featured in the weekly Maryland Minute. This week’s version highlights events for this upcoming weekend.
- Baltimore Business Journal “What’s Next” After Star-Spangled Spectacular: Citing the success of Sailabration and The Star-Spangled Spectacular as evidence that Baltimore can not only host these major events, but profit from them, Sarah Meehan of the Baltimore Business Journal wonders what events could follow those two huge successes. Citing Bill Pencek, executive director of the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, Meehan notes that the state as forged a relationship with the Navy, the Blue Angels and local performers and hopes to continue the tradition with regular, smaller-scale versions of the festival.
- Zombies Invade Downtown Bel Air for Local Film Production: A zombie horde battled the military on the streets of downtown Bel Air, November 9, according to The Baltimore Sun. The startling site was part of a shoot for, “My Boring Zombie Apocalypse,” a production of local filmmaker Kevin Perkins, and saw hundreds of actors and extras descend on Office Street, a one-way thoroughfare next to the Harford County Courthouse. The zombies were defeated and the battle was a big win for local businesses which reported a great deal of traffic from actors, extras and people who came to watch the action.
- Star-Spangled Spectacular Coins are now Half-Price: The Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins celebrate two of America’s most enduring icons – the Star-Spangled Banner flag and anthem. Officially issued by the United States Mint in 2012, these coins are only available through Star-Spangled 200 while supplies last. This is your last chance to own a piece of the bicentennial legacy, now just $30 for a limited time. Click here for more information.
- Shop Maryland’s Main Streets on Small Business Saturday: Highlighting the importance of supporting small businesses during the holiday shopping season, Small Business Saturday is a great reminder to keep it local. Small Business Saturday falls on November 29, this year, the Saturday between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Many of Maryland’s Main Streets offer special incentives to shoppers, click here for more information.
Registration for Recreational Access/Visitor Experience Planning Workshops: The Maryland Scenic Byways Program is organizing two regional workshops designed to spark collaboration and build partnerships for the purpose of developing high quality travel experiences. The workshops will provide in depth technical assistance with the goal of linking byways, heritage areas, Main Streets and greenways/trails through coordinated interpretation, education, awareness programs and navigational tools. Workshops will be held in Annapolis on January 12 and in Hagerstown on January 14 and seats are limited to byway managers, heritage area directors, regional trail managers, Main Street managers and tourism directors. Click here to register. Registration period ends December 5.
The Holiday Season is here. For a listing of events including The Festival of Trees, concerts, tree lightings, train gardens and more, follow this link to the Maryland Office of Tourism’s Holiday Happenings page.
We Saw the First Spade of Earth Turned: A look back at the design and construction of the Provincial House, including renderings of the chapel, now known as the Basilica of the Seton Shrine. Wednesdays through January 9, 2015.
Allegany Arts Council 13 Annual Members Exhibition : A juried exhibition of the works of Allegany Arts Council Members. November 22-December 1.
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Enter to win a weekend getaway for two to Berlin, gift certificate, dining, spa treatment and more! See why Berlin was voted Budget Travel's 2014 "Coolest Small Town in America!” Hurry, entries must be received by Dec. 15, 2014.
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