In September, OTD launched its marketing initiative touting Maryland as the Most Powerful Underground Railroad Storytelling Destination in the World. One of the measurables to support this statement is that Maryland has more National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom sites than any other state. A program of the National Park Service, the Network to Freedom coordinates preservation and education efforts nationwide and integrates local historical places, museums, and interpretive programs. Historic sites must have a verifiable connection to the Underground Railroad; must have educational and interpretive programs that pertain to the Underground Railroad; and facilities must be either research, educational or interpretive centers. The next round of applications for the Network to Freedom are due January 15, 2020. If you are interested in more information about applying to the program, please contact Heather Ersts at hersts@visitmaryland.org or 410-767-6974.

OTD's Rich Gilbert, Travel Trade Manager, was recently awarded the 2019 Volunteer Award of Distinction by the Ontario Motorcoach Association (OMCA) at their annual Marketplace. "I was honored and appreciative to receive special recognition at the Ontario Motorcoach Association Marketplace," said Gilbert. "Receiving recognition for providing a few hours of mentoring to new attendees and supporting our industry associations over the years is very humbling."

As part of our continued efforts to expand Maryland’s international tourism footprint, OTD has been running a full court press to increase brand awareness in the lucrative Canadian market. As part of these efforts, Matthew Scales, Public Relations Specialist, OTD, helped organize a Canadian marketing mission to Toronto to meet with numerous publishers and writers. Scales was joined by representatives of Visit Baltimore and Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. Special attention was paid to promoting Maryland’s Harriet Tubman and Underground Railroad tourism assets and their connection to Canada, with Canadian press representatives taking in a screening of the film “Harriet.”

Pictured, left to right: Susan Seifried, Destination Expert for International Media & Internal Communications, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County; Jessie Walker, Public Relations Manager, Visit Baltimore; and Matthew Scales, Public Relations Specialist, OTD of the Maryland PR delegation meet with representatives of Reach Global.

Preparing for 2020’s “Year of the Woman,” OTD and our DMO partners joined Capital Region USA (CRUSA) in welcoming a “Remarkable Women in the Capital Region” fam tour for German media. The fam was a natural synergy of CRUSA and Maryland’s continued efforts to promote Maryland in Germany, a prime target market, and promotions for the upcoming year-long celebration of women’s history and future.

Pictured: Chef Brigitte Bledsoe, Corporate Executive Chef, Miss Shirley’s (standing, top left) welcomes the German media fam to Miss Shirley’s Inner Harbor location.

The Maryland Office of Tourism (OTD) invites water-based tour providers on the Chesapeake Bay to become a recognized Chesapeake Bay Storyteller through a free training opportunity. OTD is partnering with the National Park Service to deliver training sessions that provide an opportunity for tour providers such as watermen and women, paddle trip leaders, sailing tour providers and others to grow their businesses. Tour businesses will develop or enhance an existing program that will be marketed by OTD following the training. The goals of the training are private sector business growth, increased access to the Bay for visitors and increased Bay stewardship. Three training sessions at different locations are offered that include fascinating information about the Bay, presentation skills, and best practices for tour businesses. Tour businesses will receive a stipend to help defray costs of participation. Registration information is forthcoming. Interested participants should save all dates at one location. Training locations and dates are as follows:

• Masonville Cove, Baltimore: Tuesdays through Thursdays, January 28 – 30, February 4 – 6, and February 7
• Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons: Saturdays, February 15, 22, 29 and March 7, 14, 21, 28
• Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, Grasonville: Tuesdays through Thursdays, March 3 – 5, 10 – 12 and 17

For more information, please contact Anne Kyle.

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 Matthew Scales.

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 radio stations in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., WERQ and on Baltimore’s WBAL-AM 1090.