More than 200 tourism industry professionals were joined by Governor Larry Hogan, Secretary of Commerce Mike Gill, and state legislators for the annual Tourism Day for advocates on February 16 in Annapolis. The day-long event brought together elected officials with tourism leaders and partners to highlight the economic benefits that tourism delivers. Tourism Day was sponsored by the Maryland Tourism Coalition (MTC).

“Tourism in Maryland is a $17.3 billion industry that is one of the top ten private sector employers in the state, supporting 146,000 jobs. Tourism directly generated $2.35 billion in state and local taxes,” said Rick Howarth, Maryland Tourism Development Board Chair, and Six Flags America President. “These tourism revenues ease the tax burden on Marylanders to the tune of $1,080 per year, per household.”

Pictured: Governor Larry Hogan Poses with Marian N. Hrab, Director of Sales & Marketing, The Hotel at the University of Maryland. Photo credit: Joe Andrucyk.

The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) announced details for the third annual Light City, the nation’s first free large-scale light, music and innovation festival powering social change. This year’s festival features headlining performances by hip-hop legend Grand Master Flash, funk favorites G. Love & Special Sauce, and New Zealand R&B songstess Kimbra.

The theme for 2018 is “More Love, More Lights!” as Light City expands to three weekends with Neighborhood Lights April 6-8, the Light City art and music festival April 14-21 and the Labs@LightCity social innovation conference April 18-21. The light of Light City spreads to touch even more Baltimore neighborhoods through expanded Neighborhood Lights and Brilliant Baltimore programs and a new “Eye on Charlie” initiative. In addition, Labs@LightCity, the festival’s social innovation conference, generates a glowing ecosystem of ideas and learning during the day, before the bright lights and live entertainment make Baltimore shine at night. Light City is fully accessible, free and open to all. For more information, visit our website.

Pictured: Aquarium Car by Stéphane Masson. Photo courtesy of Crystal Whitman.

The National Folk Festival is coming to Salisbury, September 7-9, 2018, with more than 60,000 people expected in attendance and applications are now being accepting for the Festival Marketplace. The Festival Marketplace will feature juried, handmade creations of the finest artists and craftspeople from the State of Maryland and the Delmarva Peninsula.

A limited number of vendors will be selected based on artistry; craftsmanship; distinctiveness; connection to state, regional, and local traditions; the artist's relationship to their cultural and artistic community; and booth presentation. The early bird deadline is March 1, 2018, and the last chance deadline is April 16, 2018. For more information, visit Festival Marketplace Vendors or contact marketplace@nationalfolkfestival.com.

In recognition of the bicentennial anniversary of Frederick Douglass' birth, Baltimore native Joan Gaither-- with the help of many Marylanders-- made three quilts that honor Douglass' legacy. Each quilt represents an important time of his life in Talbot County, Anne Arundel County, and Baltimore CIty. More of this story can be learned about on the new Following In His Footsteps - Maryland's Frederick Douglass Driving Tour. The quilts will be on display throughout the Year of Frederick Douglass at Maryland's Bay Country Welcome Center, in the heart of the Eastern Shore.

The Maryland Office of Tourism and the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program are hosting a series of “Network to Freedom” workshops this spring. The workshops will inform attendees as to the benefits of Network to Freedom membership; help attendees write successful nominations for sites, programs and facilities; and the use of archival collections to uncover Underground Railroad stories.

With renewed interest in the Underground Railroad and OTD’s Underground Railroad enhanced marketing and promotion program on tap for 2018, now is the perfect time to get your sites included in the Network to Freedom. The final workshop will be held on March 21 in Hughesville. RSVP here, or contact Anne Kyle (anne.kyle@maryland.gov or 410 767-0696).

After 8 years of managing the Maryland Green Travel (MGT) program, the Maryland Office of Tourism has decided to defer to the Maryland Green Registry as the State’s standard for green recognition programs. As MGT was developed in partnership with the Green Registry, current MGT partners can easily transition to the program and it is easy for new members to join. The Maryland Office of Tourism will continue to promote tourism-related businesses that have achieved green certification (Maryland Green Registry, Trip Advisor, Green Restaurant certification, etc.) on our website; and to recognize those marinas that are members of Clean Marina program.

The Maryland Green Registry is a free, voluntary program offering tips and resources to help businesses set and meet goals on the path to sustainability, as well as the opportunity to share environmental successes with others. Whether just getting started in greening your facility or looking to push your environmental program to the next level, join the Maryland Green Registry to demonstrate your commitment to a strong, proactive approach to environmental management. Visit the Maryland Green Registry website for more information or to join. Please contact Catherine.Batavick@maryland.gov if you have any questions.

The latest Maryland Tourism Monitor shows a nearly 20 percent rise in Visitor Center attendance and strong growth in social media followers with a 24 percent increase in digital referrals to our industry partners’ web sites. Tourism tax categories reflected a 2.6 percent rise in revenue from all tourism tax codes to $246.5 million for FY 2018 through December. For the full December Maryland Tourism Monitor, follow this link.