Maryland Park Service Superintendent Nita Settina addressed the Commerce department’s First Monday meeting ahead of the grand opening of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center and state park. The new park will be the hub of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway and a major new tourism asset for the Eastern Shore. The park was developed in partnership between the Maryland Park Service and the National Park Service with assistance from OTD. A weekend of public opening celebrations is planned for March 11-12.

Members of House of Cards cast and crew gathered for a photo at their Harford County sound stage complex on February 14, the last day of filming of season five. Although economic numbers are not yet available for season five, Jack Gerbes, director, Maryland Film Office, said, "The combined economic impact of the first four seasons shot in Maryland exceeded $460 million, hired an average of 2,154 Marylanders per season, and directly bought or rented goods or services from an average of 2,228 Maryland businesses each season." Season five of the hit Netflix series will premiere on Tuesday, May 30.

Meet your legislators, network with tourism professionals, and share stories about tourism’s impact on Maryland’s economy at the industry’s annual advocacy event. Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to support Maryland tourism. Follow this link for more information and to register.

In a March 7 event held at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve, Maryland’s hotel and lodging industry professionals gathered for the 28th annual “Stars of the Industry” Awards. Honorees included Mathew Fields of the Hilton Garden Inn, Frederick, who was given the Stevan Porter Emerging Leader of the Year award; The Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa & Marina, which was given the Community Service award and the Prism Award for diversity; and Denise Ware of the Prince George’s Community College Hospitality Program, who was named Allied Member of the Year. The hotel and lodging segment is an essential driver of Maryland’s $17 billion tourism industry and generates more than $150 million annually in tourism tax revenues. OTD would like to congratulate all of the honorees and recognize the important contributions of all of Maryland’s hotel and lodging professionals. For a full list of award winners, visit the MHLA’s website.

After a 13-month, $32 million renovation and expansion, Baltimore’s venerable live theater is reopening March 3 with a new look and a new name, now Baltimore Center Stage. “We’ve created more opportunities for art making and community building, with new public spaces to gather before and after shows and state-of-the-art performance spaces with the best in theater design and technology,” says Baltimore Center Stage Managing Director Michael Ross. “We’re thrilled to reopen our doors and welcome the community as they experience our remarkable transformation.”

MSAC is a major supporter of Baltimore Center Stage and has more than $5.6 million in funding over the last 11 fiscal years. “The newly renovated spaces position one of Maryland's preeminent theater organizations to continue to thrive well into the future,” says Theresa Colvin, executive director, MSAC, “and MSAC continues to be a proud supporter of Baltimore Center Stage.”

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.