As the U.S. Treasury prepares to honor Harriet Tubman on the front of the $20 bill, Maryland is preparing to open a new state park dedicated to this Maryland born hero. The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park will open March 10, 2017. In preparation for the launch of this important new heritage and tourism resource, a delegation of OTD staffers organized by Anne Kyle, product development manager, went on a tour of the facility.

Located within the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, the 17-acre site is anchored by a LEED-certified visitor center dedicated to the courageous life and historic work of Tubman. Designed by GWWO, Inc., the facility will create an educational and emotionally immersive experience for visitors and should prove an important tourism draw for Maryland’s Eastern Shore. OTD staff also toured nearby Underground Railroad sites including the Bucktown Village Store where Tubman made her first act of public defiance, Linchester Mill, and the recently restored and reopened Webb Cabin. Together these sites and others along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway will provide a cohesive experience for visitors seeking to explore this important piece of American history.

As part of its goal to grow awareness of Maryland’s tourism assets in the rapidly expanding Asian travel market, Marci Ross, assistant director, OTD, joined a Capital Region USA (CRUSA) sales mission to China. Undertaken in partnership with Brandstory, CRUSA’s in-market representative, the team focused on the emerging markets of Shenzhen, Chengdu and Xi’an, engaging in mini-trade shows, sales calls and client events showcasing the capital region to 44 outbound travel operators and retail sales agents. The mission was timed to capitalize on China’s rapidly expanding international travel footprint.

OTD has contracted with NEXTFactor Enterprises, Inc. to conduct a statewide tourism assessment and five regional assessments using its DestinationNEXT web-based diagnostic tool. The tool offers a level of customization with metrics that provide an opportunity for users to gather more data and drill down for a more in-depth look within each category. By objectively measuring these factors, DestinationNEXT empowers OTD, DMOs and their industry partners to identify strengths, priorities, areas for potential improvement, and develop strategies for future growth.

OTD will conduct five regional workshops across Maryland with the DestinationNEXT team: May 24 Southern Region, May 25 Capital Region, June 6 Western Maryland, June 7 Eastern Shore, and June 8 Central Region. Locations and times will be announced soon.

The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) hosted their annual Locations & Global Finance Show, the preeminent marketplace for location marketing in the world. “It’s a chance to make new connections in the industry and strengthen ties with industry professionals we already have relationships with,” says Jack Gerbes, director, Maryland Film Office, of the annual event which has been a catalyst for bringing productions to Maryland. Held this year in Burbank, California, April 21-23, the event drew producers, location managers, studio executives and industry professionals from around the world. “Over the years, we have developed a reputation as a film-friendly state,” says Gerbes, who met with representatives from Absolute Power, HBO and Media Rights Capital, producers of “House of Cards.” That production has generated an average of $112 million in economic impact, utilized 2,300 Maryland businesses, and hired 1,980 Marylanders in each of its first three seasons filming in Maryland.

The Maryland Traditions Folklife Festival is an annual celebration of traditional arts, music, crafts and foods that highlight Maryland’s rich cultural heritage. This year’s festival will be held Saturday, June 4, from 12n-8pm at The Creative Alliance in Baltimore, and will feature a headlining performance by R&B vocalist Winfield Parker as well as performers from the Afro-Cuban, Ethiopian, honky-tonk, African-American gospel, Nepali and klezmer musical traditions. Other performances include traditional Polish dancing and dance battles set to Baltimore Club music. Craftspeople will engage in on-site Chesapeake skipjack restoration, Globe poster printing, blacksmithing, Norwegian rosemaling, duck decoy carving, basketry, and Baltimore screen painting. Kid-friendly workshops include piñata making, Cambodian jewelry making, storytelling, an all-day series of marbles tournaments guided by members of Cumberland’s champion marbles game players, and, of course, traditional Maryland food.

"The Folklife Festival celebrates the people and the cultural institutions that seek to preserve the past for future generations," says Theresa Colvin, executive director, MSAC. "Traditions bring people together, whether it's through family customs or by passing on music and art forms from the past. MSAC is pleased to support these statewide arts organizations and individual artists, and thank them for sharing their diverse talents and enriching our communities”

Explore downtown Frederick along Carroll Creek and you’ll quickly understand why this hip and historic town has become a prime vacation destination. The epicenter of Maryland’s farm-to-table renaissance, Frederick is home to sophisticated dining, world-class craft brewing, fantastic local wines, unique boutique shopping, and a thriving local arts and music scene. And there’s no better time to visit than during the Frederick Festival of the Arts, June 3-5. Now in its 23rd year, this creek-side celebration fills the heart of the city with arts, activities, and Frederick’s famous welcoming charm. Don’t miss out on your chance to win this amazing Frederick getaway.

For more information, a list of prizes, and to enter, follow this link to the visitmaryland.org Frederick Festival of the Arts Sweepstakes page.

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.