TFA NEWS IN BRIEF
  Support Ellicott City

Visit Harford and Cecil County Tourism Join Forces with “Upper Bay Best Bets” Campaign

Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week Begins Sunday

NOW is the Time to Complete Your DestinationNEXT Surveys

Now Accepting Ad Reservations for Destination Maryland - Official 2017 Visitors Guide

Time to Make Your Nominations for the 2016 Tourism Awards

Enter to Win a Fantastic Fall Golf Getaway to Ocean City

IN THE NEWS
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
Support Ellicott City
 

On July 30, powerful storms led to a flash flood that devastated Historic Ellicott City. Perhaps you’ve seen the images, but what they fail to capture is the strength of this Maryland community. From the people who linked arms and braved the torrent to save a stranded motorist, to the first responders who helped others, to the residents and businesses that are working to rebuild, it is clear that they have earned the title, “Ellicott City Strong.”

To show your support and lend a hand to our Maryland neighbors in need, go to our Ellicott City Strong page at visitmaryland.org to find a list of benefit events and more ways to support those affected by the flood.

 
 
  TFA NEWS IN BRIEF
 
 
Visit Harford! and Cecil County Tourism Join Forces with “Upper Bay Best Bets” Campaign
 
 
   
In an effort to amplify their marketing efforts, Harford and Cecil counties have banded together for a joint marketing effort called “Upper Bay Best Bets.” The campaign will feature radio ads and a social media blitz with a focus on weekly events across the two northern bay counties. "It just makes sense for us to share resources on a marketing message about visiting our wonderful region,” says Sandy Turner, tourism coordinator, Cecil County. "The more visitors we reach and entice to visit, the bigger the economic impact opportunity for our region."

"There is a significant cooperative spirit among tourism directors in Maryland and we're pleased to demonstrate that spirit here in our region,” agrees Greg Pizzuto, executive director, Visit Harford! "Cecil and Harford counties are excited about working on this joint initiative designed to bring more visitors to the Upper Bay.” For more information, go to SeeCecil.org or VisitHarford.com.

 
 
 
Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week Begins Sunday
 
  Hagerstown Premium Outlets
 
Hagerstown Premium Outlets
Maryland is giving shoppers a break with “Tax-Free Week.” From August 14 through 20, clothing and footwear priced $100 or less are exempt from the state’s 6 percent sales tax.

State Comptroller Peter Franchot says that waiving the sales tax generates money for local businesses. “It gets people in a shopping mode when they traditionally are not, and then it carries over post-Labor Day,” he continues. According to the National Retail Federation, back-to-school shoppers are spending an average of $674 in 2016, up from $630 last year.

Tax-Free Week starts this Sunday, and there’s no limit to the number of items one can purchase, as long as each is under $100. More information here.

 
 
 
NOW is the Time to Complete Your DestinationNEXT Surveys
 
 
   
We are coming upon the end of the survey period for our statewide tourism assessment, but we still need your help! PLEASE continue to push the survey information out to your tourism partners so that we can get a fantastic number of responses to the survey. The more responses from your area, the more robust the reports will be for your region.

DestinationNext is a web-based diagnostic tool measuring 20 variables related to destination strength and community support and engagement. By objectively measuring these factors, DestinationNEXT enables OTD, DMOs and their industry partners to identify strengths, priorities, areas for potential improvement, and to develop strategies for future growth. To accurately and efficiently utilize this powerful tool, OTD needs your help. By completing your DestinationNEXT survey, you can better assess how you fit into the Maryland tourism scheme and OTD can better understand how best to help you reach the next level. To complete your survey, follow this link or, if you have further questions, please contact Heather Ersts, Outreach & Partnership Coordinator, OTD, at hersts@visitmaryland.org.

 
 
 
Now Accepting Ad Reservations for Destination Maryland - Official 2017 Visitors Guide
 
 
   
The all-new official Destination Maryland guide presents our tourism partners with a unique, powerful platform. There is no comparable opportunity available that is 100 percent focused on visitation to Maryland—and there is no better time to speak to its large audience than when they are actively planning their visit to the state. Destination Maryland is sent by request to highly qualified travelers who are actively planning a Maryland vacation—most often a long one. In addition to 250,000 printed copies distributed, the Visitors Guide will also be available as an interactive E-book with click-through to advertiser landing pages.

Contact Carly Stedman for rates and details: carly.stedman@milespartnership.com / 202-681-8169.

 
 
 
Time to Make Your Nominations for the 2016 Tourism Awards
 
 
   
Nominations for the 2016 Maryland Tourism Awards — as selected by the Maryland Office of Tourism Development and the Maryland Tourism Development Board (MTDB) — will be accepted until 5 p.m. on September 2. Award categories are: Economic Engine; Tourism Partnership; Cultural Heritage, Sports & Culinary Tourism; and Visit Maryland. A program overview and a nomination form are available online.

The awards pay tribute to individuals, organizations, businesses or governmental agencies that have significantly contributed to the efforts of the tourism office and board to boost jobs and economic impact in Maryland's tourism industry, and enhance the state's image to travelers. Winners will be announced at the Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit. For more information, call or e-mail Jennifer Jones, 410-767-6296.

 
 
 
Enter to Win a Fantastic Fall Golf Getaway to Ocean City
 
 
   
Beautiful sandy beaches, the iconic boardwalk, Thrasher’s French Fries and, of course, world-class golfing-- and this Fall is the perfect time for you to hit those OC fairways. The crowds may have thinned, but Ocean City still has fifteen amazing courses to play by day, and all the nightlife you could ask for when the sun goes down.

If you love to golf, you absolutely have to hit the links in OC, and our Ocean City Golf Getaway is the perfect way to get you going. Spend two nights in the beautiful oceanfront Clarion Resort, take to the greens at Eagle’s Landing and Newport Bay, and cap it off with dinner at Ocean City Fish Company and The Captain’s Table. It’s a guaranteed double-eagle, hole-in-one good time! Go to visitmaryland.org to enter to win and find out about Ocean City’s great golf options.

 
 
 
 
 
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  UPCOMING EVENTS
 
 
County Fair Season is Here
 
It’s that magical time of year again, when Maryland’s counties roll out the rollercoasters, gussy up their prize pigs, and search for exciting new foods to fry on a stick. Check out our county fairs page at visitmaryland.org.
 
 
 
Check Out Sizzlin' Summer Restaurant Weeks
 
Baltimore County and Carroll County are serving up fantastic summer restaurant weeks this month. Visit our website for restaurant weeks and food festivals coming up through the end of Summer.
 
 
 
AUGUST
 
8-12
 
White Marlin Open, Ocean City
Now in its 43rd year, the world’s largest and richest billfish tournament gets underway in Ocean City. Visit their website for all of the details.
 
 
AUGUST
 
12-13
 
Maryland BBQ Bash, Bel Air
Maryland State BBQ Championship will have more than 50 entrants competing for $12,500 in cash prizes and the chance to compete in the annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue. For more details, visit our website.
 
AUGUST
12-14
 
Pirates and Wenches Fantasy Weekend, Rock Hall
Town-wide theme party with plenty of fun for young and old. Live entertainment, grub and grog, sing-a-long, dinghy parade, beach party, Buccaneer's Ball, treasure hunt, costume contests and much more. For more information, go to visitmaryland.org.
 
 
AUGUST
 
19-29
 
The Maryland Dove Comes to Baltimore
For the first time in more than 15 years the Maryland Dove will be docked on Pier One at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore August 19 – 29, 2016, and open free to the general public. For more information, go to Historic St. Mary’s City’s website.
 
 
 
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