TFA NEWS IN BRIEF
  Tourism Advocates Rally in Annapolis

Governor Hogan Toasts Maryland Wine Month

First Lady Yumi Hogan Presents Student Artist Awards at Baltimore County Youth Art Month Exhibit

OTD’s Marci Ross Speaks at the National Archives for Harriet Tubman Event

The New York Times Features Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway

2016 Maryland Lodging Monitor is Here

Governor Larry Hogan and “House of Cards” Actor Michael Kelly Urge Parents to Talk About Drug Abuse

IN THE NEWS
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
Pictured: Tourism Advocates gathered in the Rotunda of the Michael Miller Senate Building
 
Tourism Advocates Rally in Annapolis
 
More than 200 tourism industry professionals were joined by Governor Larry Hogan, Comptroller Peter Franchot, Secretary of Commerce Mike Gill, and state legislators for the annual Tourism Day on March 3. The day-long event brought together elected officials with tourism leaders to highlight the economic benefits that tourism delivers. Tourism Day was sponsored by the Maryland Tourism Coalition (MTC).

“Tourism in Maryland is a $17 billion industry that is one of the top ten private sector employers in the state, supporting 144,000 jobs. Tourism directly generated $2.3 billion in state and local taxes,” said Liz Fitzsimmons, executive director, TFA. “These tourism revenues ease the tax burden on Marylanders to the tune of $1,040 per year, per household.”

 
 
  TFA NEWS IN BRIEF
 
 
 
Governor Hogan Toasts Maryland Wine Month
 
  Pictured: Governor Larry Hogan with Kevin Atticks, founder, Grow & Fortify, offers a toast to celebrate Maryland Wine Month
   
In celebration of Maryland’s thriving wine industry, Governor Larry Hogan issued a proclamation and offered a toast on March 3 in Annapolis to kick off Maryland Wine Month. Wine month was created by The Maryland Wineries Association and OTD. To celebrate, wineries across the state are joining together to host special events, including a Winemaker Seminar Series to educate aspiring sommeliers with the help of fantastic Maryland wines. Wine lovers are also encouraged to take the Maryland Wine Month Challenge, and visit participating wineries to win prizes including a chance at the grand prize, a Wine Lovers’ Weekend getaway. For more information, events, and to download your Maryland Wine Month Challenge score card, visit our web site.

Pictured: Governor Larry Hogan with Kevin Atticks, Executive Director, Maryland Wineries Association, and Founder, Grow and Fortify.

 
 
 
First Lady Yumi Hogan Presents Student Artist Awards at Baltimore County Youth Art Month Exhibit
 
  Pictured: First Lady Yumi HOgan with art students
   
First Lady Yumi Hogan celebrated Youth Art Month with student artists at the Baltimore County Arts Guild. Mrs. Hogan, who is an accomplished artist and a professor at Maryland Institute College of Art, spoke to the students about the importance of arts education and served as the event's awards presenter. The exhibit of Baltimore County High School work runs through March 26 at the Baltimore County Arts Guild’s Gallery@1101.
 
 
 
OTD’s Marci Ross Speaks at the National Archives for Harriet Tubman Event
 
 
   
Marci Ross, assistant director for tourism development, OTD, presented during an event honoring Harriet Tubman at the National Archives in Washington, DC. The event, “Harriet Tubman: A Woman of Courage and Vision” was held in commemoration of Black History Month and as prelude to the March 11 grand opening of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center. “I couldn’t be prouder to represent the people of Maryland in honoring Harriet Ross Tubman, an American hero whose life and work remains a powerful inspiration to people more than a century after her passing,” said Ross. “The new Visitor Center will serve as a fitting tribute to this remarkable woman and it will help to ensure that her life and legacy will continue to inspire for generations to come.”

Pictured Left to Right: Marci Ross, assistant director for tourism development, OTD;
Dr. Cheryl J. LaRoche, Ph.D; Mr. Chris Elcock, senior associate, GWWO, Inc./Architects;
Dr. Elizabeth Clark-Lewis, Ph.D; and Dr. Ida Jones, Ph.D.

 
 
 
The New York Times Features Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway
 
  Pictured: Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center and State Park
   
As OTD, the Maryland Park Service, and the National Park Service gear up for the grand opening of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center and the newest park in the state system, The New York Times featured a major story on the center and park, the accompanying scenic byway, and the legacy of one of Maryland’s most beloved heroes. The Times story also featured a drone video sequence of the byway, available on their web site.

Opening the weekend of March 11-12, the new park is set on 17 acres in Dorchester County near the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and just a few miles from where Tubman is believed to have been born. The park features the impressive Visitor Center with a stirring, interactive tribute to the legacy of Tubman and all of those who risked their lives in the name of freedom along the Underground Railroad. Read The New York Times story here, and for more information on the park and the opening weekend, visit our web site.

 
 
 
2016 Maryland Lodging Monitor is Here
 
  Pictured: The grand atrium of the Gaylord Resort at National Harbor
   
2016 proved another strong year for Maryland’s hotel and lodging industry according to the January-December 2016 Lodging Performance Monitor, produced by OTD using data generated by Smith Travel Research, Inc. Demand for rooms in Maryland increased 3.7 percent over 2015, outstripping the regional increase of 3.5 percent, and more than doubling the national rate of 1.7 percent. Maryland also saw a 1.3 percent increase in room supply and an impressive 5.2 percent increase in room revenue-- again outpacing the national average of 4.8 percent while undercutting the national average room rate of $123.92 by 3.14 percent. To read the full report, follow this link.

Pictured: The grand atrium of the Gaylord Resort at National Harbor.

 
 
 
Governor Larry Hogan and House of Cards Actor Michael Kelly Urge Parents to Talk About Drug Abuse
 
  Governor Larry Hogan and “House of Cards” Actor Michael Kelly
   
Governor Larry Hogan released a statewide public service announcement (PSA) urging parents to discuss the risks of heroin and opioid abuse with their children. The 30- and 60-second PSAs, titled "Before It's Too Late," feature the Governor and actor Michael Kelly of House of Cards, the award-winning television series filmed in Maryland. “Addressing this crisis that is ravaging communities across Maryland and the country has been, and will continue to be, a top priority of our administration,” said Governor Hogan. “This epidemic affects people of all walks of life, and opioid abuse is becoming more and more common among our youth. It is critical that parents talk to their children about the dangers of heroin and opioid abuse – before it’s too late. I would like to thank Mr. Kelly for partnering with us to raise awareness of this important issue.” The PSA will run on local news stations and public access channels across the state. Click here to download high-quality video files.
 
 
 
 
 
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  UPCOMING EVENTS
 
 
MAR
Thru
12
 
Maryland Spring Home & Garden Show, Timonium
Landscaped gardens brimming with bold and beautiful flowers and trees will fill the Maryland State Fairgrounds. ‘Spring Around the World’ is this year's theme. For more information, visit our web site.
 
 
MAR
11-12
 
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center Opening, Dorchester
Celebrating the life of one of Maryland and the nation’s most beloved heroes, the new 17-acre park will serve as the centerpiece of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Scenic Byway. Opening weekend events include speakers, living historians, book signings and more. For a full schedule, go to our web site.
 
MAR
11-19
 
Maple Syrup Fest, Thurmont
Held at Cunningham Falls State Park, this four decades-old tradition in the Catoctin Mountains features syrup crafted the traditional way by Park Rangers. Foods and maple syrup for sale. Annual Fest at the Houck Lake Area at Cunningham Falls. For more information, go to our web site.
 
 
MAR
18
 
Annapolis Oyster Roast & Sock Burning
Festivities begin with the annual sock burning. Also features live music, shucking & cooking demos, and shucking contest. Exhibits on maritime heritage and the role oysters play in maintaining the Bay. For more information, follow this link to our web site.
 
 
 
 
 
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