TFA NEWS IN BRIEF
  OTD Conducts Annual Travel Information Workshop at Maryland Live! Casino

February Tourism Monitor

Maryland State Arts Council Offers Public Art Workshop

Join OTD for DestinationNEXT Workshops

Enter to Win the Frederick Festival of the Arts Sweepstakes

IN THE NEWS
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
 
OTD Conducts Annual Travel Information Workshop at Maryland Live! Casino
 
Front-line tourism professionals from across Maryland gathered at Maryland Live Casino in Hanover on May 11. This once-a-year event provides updates from the Maryland Office of Tourism Development staff and industry partners. This year, in addition to our host, OTD was joined by Maryland State Parks, DNR Fisheries Division, Maryland State Arts Council, LZ Maryland—Vietnam Veterans Weekend, and the Maryland Wine, Beer and Distilleries Industries.
 
 
  TFA NEWS IN BRIEF
 
 
 
February Tourism Monitor
 
 
   
The February Tourism Monitor showed site visits to visitmaryland.org over the previous year led to 6,100 requests for travel kits and a 13.1 percent increase in advertising clicks despite a 16.1 percent decrease in the online advertising budget. Through February of FY2016, communications activities have generated a $5.9 million advertising equivalency, and OTD’s social media efforts continued their strong, steady growth with an 18.9 percent increase in Facebook fans and 24.5 percent in Twitter followers. And the welcome centers, which have received renewed support with the reopening of the Sideling Hill Visitor Center and two more planned reopenings, welcomed more than 12,000 additional visitors over the prior year. The revenue picture also showed positive growth with overall tourism sales tax revenues growing an impressive 9.4 percent to $747,052,541. For the full monitor, click here.
 
 
 
Maryland State Arts Council Offers Public Art Workshop
 
 
   
"Art in Public Space" a workshop for artists, sponsored by the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), will be offered from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 10 at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson, 3134 Eastern Avenue in East Baltimore. This free workshop, co-presented by Jann Rosen-Queralt and Liesel Fenner, public art program director, MSAC, is for artists interested in applying for public art commissions.

"The workshop will provide information to artists who are currently engaged in or interested in public art," said Fenner. "Public art is an opportunity for artists to work at a larger scale, collaborate with communities, and have their work viewed by a larger audience. Public art reflects a site's history, our culture, and adds meaning, enhancing the sense of place. I look forward to working with Rosen-Queralt, whose extensive public art project experience will inspire artists to apply for commissions and enter the field." The workshop is free, but pre-registration is required; for more information and to register, visit the MSAC’s website or contact Liesel Fenner at 410-767-6544 or liesel.fenner@maryland.gov.

 
 
 
Join OTD for DestinationNEXT Workshops
 
 
   
The Maryland Tourism Development Board and OTD have contracted with NEXTFactor Enterprises, Inc. to conduct a statewide tourism assessment and five regional assessments using its DestinationNEXT web-based diagnostic tool. DestinationNEXT measures 20 variables related to destination strength and community support and engagement. The tool further offers a level of customization with metrics that provide an opportunity for users to gather more data for an in-depth look within each category. By objectively measuring these factors, DestinationNEXT enables OTD, DMOs and their industry partners to identify strengths, priorities, areas for potential improvement, and develop strategies for future growth.

OTD and the DestinationNEXT team will conduct five regional workshops across Maryland: May 24, College of Southern Maryland, LaPlata; May 25, The Universities at Shady Grove, Rockville; June 6, Western MD, Frostburg State University, Frostburg; June 7, Chesapeake College, Wye Mills; June 8, University Center of Northeastern Maryland, Aberdeen. Workshops will be 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and all are welcome to attend any of the five workshops. To register please see industry.visitmaryland.org.

 
 
 
Enter to Win the Frederick Festival of the Arts Sweepstakes
 
 
   
Explore downtown Frederick along Carroll Creek and you’ll quickly understand why this hip and historic town has become a prime vacation destination. A center of Maryland’s farm-to-table renaissance, Frederick is home to sophisticated dining, world-class craft brewing, fantastic local wines, unique boutique shopping, and a thriving local arts and music scene. And there’s no better time to visit than during the Frederick Festival of the Arts, June 3-5. Now in its 23rd year, this creek-side celebration fills the heart of the city with arts, activities, and Frederick’s famous welcoming charm. Don’t miss out on your chance to win this amazing Frederick getaway.

For more information, a list of prizes, and to enter, follow this link to the visitmaryland.org Frederick Festival of the Arts Sweepstakes page.

 
 
 
 
 
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  UPCOMING EVENTS
 
 
MAY
 
11-15
 
Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Festival, Frederick
The Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Festival celebrates Greek customs, food & culture. Experience authentic Greek cuisine, live music, & traditional dance performances by the Parathosi Dance Troupe. Go to visitmaryland.org for more information.
 
MAY
 
13-14
 
Somerset Strawberry Festival, Marion Station
The 7th Annual Strawberry Festival celebrates the sweetness of the season with pageants, parades, a tug-o-war between the Somerset County Fire Departments, and -- of course -- lots and lots of strawberries. Read more here.
 
 
MAY
 
14
 
Bay Day, Tilghman Island
A great day for families and friends of the Chesapeake Bay. Many free demonstrations, kids activities, live music and more. For more details, go to the Visit Maryland events page.
 
 
MAY
 
14-15
 
Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
Ranked one of the best arts shows in the nation by Sunshine Artists Magazine, Delight in fine art created by 130 of the nation's best artists, live entertainment and Bethesda restaurants. For more information, visit Bethesda.org.
 
 
MAY
 
19-21
 
Preakness Hot Air Balloon Festival, Turf Valley
Turf Valley brightens the skies over Ellicott City with the Preakness Celebration Balloon Festival. Enjoy crafts, entertainment, great food, and the magic of hot air balloons during this Preakness week tradition.
 
 
 
 
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