OTD has filled an important leadership role with the appointment of Liz Fitzsimmons as the new executive director of the Maryland Office of Tourism Development, a position which had been vacant since February. Fitzsimmons had been the assistant director of advertising and communications and has served in the Office of Tourism for twenty years.

“Liz has been an important voice for Maryland Tourism,” says Bill Pencek, acting assistant secretary, Maryland Division of Tourism, Film and the Arts. “She brings a knowledge base that is both broad and deep of Maryland’s amazing tourism product. We at TFA couldn’t be more excited than to welcome Liz into her new position and look forward to the energy, creativity and vision she will bring to the team.”

The Maryland Office of Tourism Development held its first “Maryland Blogger Bash,” bringing regional writers together with county DMOs and business partners at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. The event was attended by dozens of influential regional writers in the travel, culinary and parenting fields. In addition to connecting with DMOs, the Blogger Bash showcased Maryland food and libations. The Maryland Wineries Association, Brewers Association of Maryland and Maryland Distillers Guild teamed with OTD to bring representatives of nine Maryland breweries, wineries and distilleries.

Bloggers who engaged with the OTD hashtag, #mdbloggerbash got chances to win local prize packages provided by the tourism offices of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Calvert County, Frederick County, Howard County and Washington County. “We are extremely happy with the event,” says Bill Pencek, acting assistant secretary, Maryland Division of Tourism, Film and the Arts. “Our partners really made this work. There was an amazing assortment of refreshments, and fantastic packages from our partners. But most importantly was the enthusiastic response from the blogger community.”

Leslie Troy, communications specialist, Maryland Office of Tourism Development and event organizer agrees. “We’ve seen significant engagement with the Md blogger bash hashtag, and the writers left excited about Maryland travel opportunities,” says Troy. “We will be making this a regular event.”

Pictured left to right: Rebecca Dulka, Maryland Wineries Association, Liz Fitzsimmons, Leland Strott, Leslie Troy and Nicole Nicholas, OTD, and Elizabeth Wrasse and Meredith Pratt, Stanton Communications

The Star-Spangled Spectacular continues to bring home the hardware, winning a pair of Telly Awards in the News Features and Miscellaneous categories. The Telly Awards, now in their 36th year, recognize excellence in local, regional and cable productions and is one of the most prestigious awards in the industry. The Star-Spangled Spectacular honored the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore and the writing of our National Anthem. The broadcast featured a star-studded cast including host John Lithgow, Jordan Sparks, Melissa Etheridge, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and many more, and put the city and state in a national spotlight.

The success of the program, along with the two-year bicentennial celebration and the seven-day Star-Spangled Spectacular event generated hundreds of millions in tourism spending and raised national awareness of Baltimore’s role in the creation of the song. A 2009 survey showed that only 25 percent of the U.S. population could identify Baltimore or Maryland as home of the National Anthem. By 2014 that number had grown to 39 percent. Congratulations to MPT, Visit Baltimore, the War of 1812 Commission and all of the partners that made the show such a success.

Visit Baltimore has produced a series of videos featuring praise from organizers and attendees of recent conventions held in Baltimore. “Baltimore is a city with great history, culture and amenities that provide visitors a unique and positive experience,” says Tom Noonan, president and CEO, Visit Baltimore. “It’s also a city that, like many others, faces challenges,” Noonan continued. “The people of Baltimore are coming together to address those challenges, while also inviting you to enjoy all the great events and experiences it offers. Baltimore is still the great city you have always believed in—and the entire hospitality community looks forward to welcoming you.”

Please visit http://baltimore.org/info/baltimore-voices for continuing updates from Baltimore including videos from Noonan, members of Baltimore’s Customer Advisory Board and others who have recently visited Baltimore.

The 2,000 mile long, Fireball Run Adventurally will be blazing a trail to Queen Anne's County. Fifty teams of exotic cars and enterprising adventurers will scour the county completing scavenger hunt missions and supporting local charities. In addition to the race, local car clubs will gather for a classic car show in support of the racers.

Leading the charge for Maryland will be Team Locked On. You can vote for Team #4, Maryland’s own Locked On, and see all 50 entrants, at their website,www.fireballrun.com.

Sixteen CAAM members, representing 15 counties, met in June and were given an update on MSAC’s new policies and grants, and had an opportunity to network. CAAM is a non-profit statewide assembly of arts councils established to foster, promote, and develop skills and articulate the needs of Maryland's diverse arts communities. CAAM works in cooperation with the MSAC and Maryland Citizens for the Arts (MCA) to increase artistic opportunities for Maryland artists, arts organizations and citizens. Maryland has 23 County Arts Councils, and the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts in Baltimore City.
Pictured are county representatives and Pamela Dunne, MSAC program director.

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.