This three-day event runs October 28-30 and attracts 250-300 tourism and hospitality industry leaders from throughout the state. Learn the latest techniques in marketing, sales, public relations, social media, grassroots advocacy, and to hear about the economic outlook for the industry. The Maryland Tourism & Travel Summit is the year's best opportunity to meet and to share with industry peers during the general sessions, award luncheons, networking breaks, receptions, mobile workshops and MTC's annual awards gala celebrating the achievements of our tourism professionals.

Guests of the summit have the opportunity to be recognized in front of their peers and win professional and marketing awards for their organizations' successes or their personal achievements. For more information and to register, visit mdtourism.org.

Located in the Nanjemoy area of the Potomac River in Charles County, Mallows Bay is the resting place of an impressive "ghost fleet" of nearly 200 ships, including vessels dating back to the Revolutionary War. Long considered an archeological and historic treasure, the site has also become an indispensable recreational resource valued by fishermen, birders and paddlers. The effort to declare the site a National Marine Sanctuary was launched by a coalition of state, county and public agencies spearheaded by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources while the Maryland Office of Tourism Development (OTD), worked in conjunction with the Charles County Office of Tourism to develop the tourism component of the application. Earlier this month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced their intention to grant Mallows Bay National Marine Sanctuary status, an important milestone in the process.

"This process has been a model of coordination and cooperation between state and local government as well as our private sector partners," says Marci Ross, assistant director, OTD. "We worked closely with Charles County Tourism Chief, Tim Morgan to create a plan that will leverage our partners’ resources to protect this unique treasure while marketing a destination that strengthens Charles County’s robust tourism product." In addition to increasing national awareness of the site, the National Marine Sanctuary designation will improve visitor experience in the region and is expected to foster opportunities for expansion in the local tourism economy.

On October 16, Visit Montgomery presented their 2016 Hospitality Awards, naming William Vira Safai, managing partner, Comfort Inn Shady Grove and sitting member of the Maryland Tourism Board, the winner of the William Hanna Award for leadership. In presenting the award, Visit Montgomery noted Mr. Safai’s thirty years of service to the community, his mentorship of high school and college students, and the scholarships he has provided.

Other award winners included the Fillmore in Silver Spring, recipient of the Discover MoCo Award for creative marketing; Mauricio Martinez, banquet manager, Bolger Center, recipient of the Smile and Service Award for exemplary customer service; and Westfield Montgomery Dining Terrace, recipient of the Foodie Award for excellence in food service. The awards were presented by Kelly Groff, President and CEO, Visit Montgomery, during the organization’s Annual Meeting and Hospitality Luncheon held at the Bethesda Marriott. “The hotels, attractions and restaurants are the backbone of our hospitality community, and the employees make this community shine,” said Groff, adding. “It is such an honor to acknowledge the contributions of our hospitality community.”

Supported in part by the Maryland Film Office and the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), Wide Angle Youth Media is a Baltimore based non-profit dedicated to youth media education. Through the program, youth are encouraged to tell their own stories and stories important to their community while learning the technical skills required for video and web production. The goal of Wide Angle Youth is to build media literacy while supporting people from 12 and into their twenties as they advance to the next level of their education or begin careers in an increasingly media focused business environment. The organization combines traditional classroom work, field work, industry apprenticeships and first person interactions with industry professionals, and partnering with the Maryland Film Office and MSAC has been an engine for accomplishing these goals.

"The Maryland Film Office is interested in supporting the media makers of tomorrow, and their support has been amazing,” says Susan Malone, executive director, Wide Angle Youth Media. “Jack (Gerbes, director, Maryland Film Office) has been in our classroom, he helps us with regulations, and he opens doors,” important work, according to Malone, who added, “People now have to be media literate, to communicate to large groups, to tell complicated stories. Here, they learn how to work as a team, they learn work force development skills, they learn how to advocate for themselves.” The fundraiser, On the Set, will be held on Thursday, November 5 at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore. On the Set creates an on set experience for attendees while providing an opportunity to meet and mingle with industry professionals including Eduardo Sanchez, director of “The Blair Witch Project,” Nina Noble, producer of “The Wire,” and Jack Gerbes, director of the Maryland Film Office. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit wideangleyouthmedia.org.

Each week, the Maryland Minute provides highlights and insights on this weekend’s events around the state. Maryland Minute is featured on CBS radio stations in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. and on Baltimore’s WBAL-AM 1090.