Secretary of Commerce Kelly M. Schulz joined more than 200 tourism industry and state legislators on February 15 for the annual Tourism Day in Annapolis. The event is the premiere advocacy opportunity for Maryland’s tourism professionals, and brings together elected officials, industry leaders and partners to highlight the economic benefits that tourism delivers. Tourism Day was sponsored by the Maryland Tourism Coalition (MTC).

"Tourism Day is our most important legislative event of the year,” said Ruth Toomey, Executive Director, MTC. “On this day every year, we descend on Annapolis to thank those who support tourism and to educate those on why tourism does work for Maryland."

Pictured left to right: Secretary of Commerce Kelly M. Schulz and Ruth Toomey, Executive Director, Maryland Tourism Coalition.

As OTD plans to roll-out its new “Open For It” campaign this spring, the office has introduced a companion branding guide and tool kit for partners to use in their own advertising and marketing efforts. The tool kit includes guidelines for usage of logos, specs for fonts and colors, headline ideas, graphics and ad templates. All of which will help advertising messaging from around the state to maintain a unified image. Print advertising carrying the new branding will begin appearing in national periodicals in March, with accompanying TV spots set to begin running in early April. For a link to the new branding tool kit click here. For grant guidelines on reimbursable advertising, please contact Peter Cento at peter.cento@maryland.gov.

A record 400 lodging industry professionals gathered on February 7 at Live! Casino & Hotel to honor exemplary employees and unique programs in the hotel industry at the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association’s (MHLA) 30th Annual Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheon. Winners were announced in 12 categories, and three property awards were given, including a special Achievement Award given to Wynter Sharps, Assistant General Manager, SpringHill Suites Columbia. Sharps is the first hotel apprentice in Maryland to have participated in the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AHLA) apprenticeship program, part of the Maryland Department of Labor’s Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program.

The annual Stars event also marks the opening of MHLA’s scholarship opportunities. In 2019, MHLA plans to award multiple $1,500 scholarships. Applications from Maryland hotel employees meeting all specified criteria will be accepted through May 31, 2019. For more information and the application, click here and if you attended the Stars of the Industry event, please follow this link to take a brief survey to improve next year's event.

Pictured: (Left to right) Amy Rohrer, MHLA President & CEO; Achievement Award winner Wynter Sharps, Assistant General Manager, SpringHill Suites; and Chuck Chandler, Board Chair, MHLA.

The Maryland Wineries Association is celebrating the third annual Maryland Wine Month in March. This month-long celebration of Maryland’s winemaking industry is the perfect opportunity to get out and explore Maryland’s unique wine trails, as well as experience special events and tastings at wineries and vineyards across the state. To find out more, follow this link to our Maryland Wine Month page.

How can OTD help spread the word about your attraction or event? "Maryland Mondays" is the perfect way to help us help you. Each Monday, OTD launches a new “Maryland Mondays” ticket give-away program across all of our social media channels, consumer newsletter, and weekly “Maryland Minute” radio spots. Combined, these channels reach thousands of potential customers each week. To find out how to get involved by providing tickets to your attraction for an upcoming "Maryland Mondays," email OTD’s Leslie Troy.

For the latest on events and everything going all around Maryland, view the latest edition of Visit Maryland Now! here.

Each week, the Maryland Minute provides highlights and insights on this weekend’s events around the state. Maryland Minute is featured on Entercom stations and WBAL.