TFA NEWS IN BRIEF
  Governor Hogan Leads Maryland Tourism & Trade Delegation to Canada

Last Call for Nominations for the 2017 Maryland Tourism Awards

Maryland Launches New Crab & Oyster Trail

OTD Attends Destinations International Visitor Services Summit

First Lady Yumi Hogan Presents Governor’s Citation During MSAC’s 50th Anniversary Kickoff Celebration

Fair Hill International and Jim McKay Maryland Million Day Highlight Big Month for Maryland’s Horse Industry

July Tourism Monitor is Here, With New, Info-Forward Format

IN THE NEWS
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
Governor Hogan standing at a podium speaking to a group of people
 
​Governor Hogan Leads
Maryland Tourism & Trade Delegation to Canada
 

Governor Larry Hogan joined Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser for a Capital Region tourism and economic development mission to Canada. As part of the joint mission, Governor Hogan, Governor McAuliffe, and Mayor Bowser met with the Province of Ontario’s Premier Kathleen Wynne in Toronto, and then attended a reception at the residence of U.S. Consul General Juan Alsace. In addition, Governor Hogan and Secretary Gill met with more than a dozen Canadian companies and business organizations to promote Maryland as an ideal U.S. location for tourism, trade, and investment.

“Canada is not only the largest trading partner for the Capital Region, but we also share a commitment to entrepreneurship, innovation, and high-growth industries like cybersecurity, life sciences, and aerospace and defense,” said Governor Hogan. “We are confident this mission will strengthen our regional partnerships and encourage even more trade and investment, as well as spur new opportunities for Canadians to tour the Capital Region.”

Pictured: Governor Larry Hogan.

 
 
  TFA NEWS IN BRIEF
 
 
 
Last Call for Nominations for the 2017 Maryland Tourism Awards
 
  Maryland Tourism Coalition Logo
   
The Maryland Office of Tourism Development (OTD) and the Maryland Tourism Development Board (MTDB) are calling for nominations for the 2017 Maryland Tourism Awards. These awards recognize the outstanding work of the tourism industry. Individuals, businesses, organizations and governmental agencies that significantly and positively impact the local, regional or statewide economy are eligible to submit a nomination.

This year’s categories include the More Tourism Jobs for Marylanders Award and the Partnership Projects Award. Nominations must be received by 5 p.m., October 16. A program overview and a nomination form are available online. The awards will be presented at the Maryland Tourism & Travel Summit. Also, register now for the summit, held this year from Nov. 8-10 in College Park at The Hotel at UMD. Go to mdtourism.org to register, make hotel reservations and more.

 
 
 
Maryland Launches New Crab & Oyster Trail
 
  Person carrying a tray of shucked oysters
   
On October 3, Governor Larry Hogan announced a new initiative focused on promoting Maryland’s outstanding seafood to domestic and international travelers. The Maryland Crab & Oyster Trail, which kicked off this month in celebration of National Seafood Month, features a virtual tour highlighting more than 100 seafood restaurants in Maryland, as well as seafood festivals held throughout the state during October. “Maryland has a proud history of harvesting some of the world’s best seafood from the Chesapeake Bay, and this trail gives us a great opportunity to highlight our great state as a destination for seafood lovers,” said Governor Hogan. “Residents and visitors alike can plan a trip to the more than 100 destinations serving freshly harvested crabs and oysters, as well as the many seafood festivals taking place this month.”

The trail map is divided into five regional excursions. More than 100 markers denote restaurants across the state that serve steamed crabs, soft shell crabs, and fresh local oysters. The trail also features attractions that showcase the state’s heritage and history in connection with the seafood of the Chesapeake Bay and watershed. Visitors are encouraged to share their Maryland seafood experiences on social media using the hashtags #VisitMaryland and #MDinFocus. For more information about the Maryland Crab & Oyster Trail or seafood festivals, visit www.visitmaryland.org or call 1-800-719-5900.

 
 
 
OTD Attends Destinations International Visitor Services Summit
 
  Marci Ross, Assistant Director of Tourism Development, OTD; and Casey Keyfauver, Customer Contact Programs Manager, OTD, joined a Maryland delegation to the Destinations International Visitor Services summit in Columbus, OH, September 24-26. Maryland attendees included Cindy Yount, Visitor Center Manager, Visit Frederick, and John Fiesler, Executive Director
   

As part of OTD’s continued efforts to maximize resource impact and improve customer experiences, Marci Ross, Assistant Director of Tourism Development, OTD; and Casey Keyfauver, Customer Contact Programs Manager, OTD, joined a Maryland delegation to the Destinations International Visitor Services summit in Columbus, OH, September 24-26. Maryland attendees included Cindy Yount, Visitor Center Manager, Visit Frederick, and John Fiesler, Executive Director, Visit Frederick, who spoke at the event. Destinations International is the world's largest resource for destination organizations, providing resources to educate members with the goal to drive destination economic impact, job creation, community sustainability and quality of life through travel. More than 140 professionals attended the three-day conference which focused on best practices in volunteer program management, DMO revenue generation, security, technology, and more.

Pictured: (Left to right) Casey Keyfauver, Customer Contact Programs Manager; Marci Ross, Assistant Director of Tourism Development, OTD; Cindy Yount, Visitor Center Manager, Visit Frederick and John Fiesler, Executive Director, Visit Frederick.

 
 
 
First Lady Yumi Hogan Presents Governor’s Citation During MSAC’s 50th Anniversary Kickoff Celebration
 
  Pictured: (Left to right) Ken Skrzesz, Executive Director, MSAC; First Lady Yumi Hogan; and Jane Chu, Chairman, National Endowment of the Arts.
   
First Lady Yumi Hogan joined Jane Chu, Chairman, National Endowment of the Arts; Liz Fitzsimmons, Managing Director, TFA; Shelley Morhaim, Chair, MSAC; Julie Madden, former Interim Executive Director, MSAC; and Ken Skrzesz, newly named Executive Director, MSAC, for MSAC’s 50th Anniversary Kickoff Celebration at the Annapolis Maritime Museum on September 28. First Lady Hogan gave remarks and presented a Governor’s Citation to MSAC; Chairman Chu spoke, lauding MSAC’s stellar track record of arts promotion throughout the state.

The highlight of the evening was the announcement of a special anniversary-year program that will offer $5,000 matching grants for community-based public art projects that are facilitated by county arts councils to every county in Maryland and Baltimore City. The investment of $120,000 will encourage arts activity and placemaking projects throughout the state and will be a lasting commemoration of MSAC's milestone.

Pictured: (Left to right) Ken Skrzesz, newly named Executive Director, MSAC; First Lady Yumi Hogan; and Jane Chu, Chairman, National Endowment of the Arts.

 
 
 
Fair Hill International and Jim McKay Maryland Million Day Highlight Big Month for Maryland’s Horse Industry
 
  Horse Racing
   
It’s two big weekends for Maryland horses with the Fair Hill International running October 12-15 and the 32nd running of the Jim McKay Maryland Million Day on Saturday, October 21. The Fair Hill International brings three days of horse trials to the 6,000-acre Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area for this one-of-a-kind event. The Fair Hill International combines dressage, cross country jumping and stadium jumping in what amounts to an Olympic games for horses. The Jim McKay Maryland Million, part of the 11-race Maryland Million Day at Laurel Park, was founded in 1986 to feature top Maryland horses, and all horses running in the stakes must be sired by a stallion standing in the state. Last year’s race brought 21,722 fans to Laurel, who placed nearly $4.5 million in wagers on the race.

The horse industry is an important, living part of Maryland’s history and an economic driver for the state. The total annual economic impact of the horse industry on the state is approximately $1.6 billion, with a direct impact of $1 billion, generating $72 million in annual taxes.

 
 
 
July Tourism Monitor is Here, With New, Info-Forward Format
 
  Tourism Works for Maryland Logo
   
If it’s been a while since you’ve checked out the Maryland Tourism Monitor, it’s time to take another look. The Monitor continues to provide important, well-researched information in a timely manner, but now with an improved, information-forward format puts this vital tool right at your fingertips. Follow this link to the new and improved Maryland Tourism Monitor.
 
 
 
 
 
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  IN THE NEWS
 
 
   
 
 
Maryland Minute
 
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.
 
 
 
 
 
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  UPCOMING EVENTS
 
 
OCTOBER
12-15
 
United States Power Boat Show, Annapolis
Visit the nation's oldest in-water powerboat show to see the latest boat designs and marine technology. Find out more on our events page.
 
 
OCTOBER
12-14
 
Town of Bel Air Film Festival, Bel Air
Great 3-day festival including high-caliber films you won't want to miss. Find out more on our website.
 
 
OCTOBER
14-15
 
Harford Plein Air Festival, Bel Air
Quick draw completion, gallery sales and more. Find out the details on our events page.
 
 
OCTOBER
21
 
American Indian Festival, Upper Marlboro
Celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of Native Americans at the American Indian Festival, featuring live performances of traditional and contemporary music, dancing, drumming, singing, and more. Get all the information at our website.
 
 
OCTOBER
21-22
 
Maryland Home & Garden Show, Timonium
Maryland's premiere home and garden show takes over the Timonium Fairgrounds. For more information, go to our events page.
 
 
OCTOBER
27-29
 
Chesapeake Film Festival, Easton
Building on a legacy of diversity and quality, Chesapeake Film Festival’s 10th annual program will sharpen its focus on stories of particular interest and care to our region and community. For information, and a full list of films, visit their website.
 
 
 
 
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