MARYLAND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT BOARD
BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
MD DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CROWNSVILLE, MD
Call to Order/Roll Call
MTDB: Senator John Astle, Paul Bales, Delegate Wendell Beitzel, Connie DelSignore, Delegate Anne Marie Doory, John Fieseler, Mike Haynie, Senator Nancy Jacobs (Brian Shuy), Peggy Maher, David Meloy, Linda Westgate, Sam Parker, Khaled Said, Chris Schardt, Kathy Sher, Greg Shockley, Matt Taylor, Andy Vick; TBC: Stephanie Betteker; EDC: Kevin Atticks, Paul Hartgen, Mary Jo McCullough; MDMO: Rachelina Bonacci, Jill Feinberg, Kelly Groff, Tom Riford, Barb Siegert, Bernadette VanPelt; DBED: Margot Amelia, Catherine Batavick, Greg Bird, Rebecca Dougherty, Liz Fitzsimmons, Rich Gilbert, Anne Kyle, Bill Pencek, Denise Reed, Marci Ross.
Board Chairman Greg Shockley welcomed everyone and requested that board members introduce themselves and do any “report outs”.
Board Member Comments/Highlights (not all inclusive)
- Mike Haynie - Indicated that the Baltimore City hotel occupancy tax vote will be held tomorrow.
- Peggy Maher – Announced that the Circulator “purple” route is up and running.
- Linda Westgate - also mentioned customers’ great reviews of Circulator service.
- Dave Meloy and John Fieseler - both mentioned the impact of per diem government business.
- Brian Shuy (on behalf of Sen. Jacobs) – This month’s Governing magazine featured story on movie/film tax credits – listing Maryland as one of the top competitors for movies.
- Connie DelSignore - Just signed two-year contract with drum corps association to hold championships in Annapolis resulting in approximately 5600 to 6000 room nights per year.
- John Fieseler – Frederick Visitor Center well underway; looking forward completion of new highway interchange coming into Frederick.
- Andy Vick – Speaking in Gettysburg about the Arts & Entertainment districts in Allegany County and throughout the State of Maryland.
- Paul Bales – EDC & tourism budget completely eliminated in Charles County. Working on grassroots level to rally and identify all stakeholders in Southern Maryland for support.
- Kathy Sher – Aquarium involved in rescue efforts of highly endangered sea turtles from gulf oil spills.
- Sam Parker – Working with equestrian center in Upper Marlboro to attract significant horse shows to the center.
- Delegate Doory –Indicated she will not be seeking re-election. As a result, Delegate Doory, who has served on the MTDB since its inception in 1993, announced her resignation.
- Greg Shockley – Ocean City had three busy weeks with car show, Memorial Day & and air show. Two new restaurants are opening; optimistic this will be a good year.
Guest Speakers – Bill Pencek & Anne Kyle (OTD) on the VisitMaryland Interactive Map
The Chair introduced guest speakers Bill Pencek and Anne Kyle who gave a presentation and demonstration of the new cultural heritage interactive map featured on the Visit Maryland website.
Approval of Minutes
March 1, 2010 minutes approved
Chairman’s Report
DBM budget is not finalized; however, the conference committee budget was included in board folders. The OTD/MTDB FY11 budget is a little less than $9 million, which is a million dollars higher than FY10. However, OTD will have less money to deploy due to funding increases for county grants and the allocation for the welcome center assistance program.
The Chair referenced the Sunpaper’s positive editorial on tourism (included in the board folders) as a good source for advocacy talking points. He indicated that the main focus of the September strategic planning worksession will be on advocacy efforts and strategies.
He directed everyone’s attention to the “Maryland of wheel” at the back of the meeting room that is being used in OTD’s new advertising campaign. He thanked Mike Haynie and Kathy Sher for attending the campaign launch press event at the World Trade Center in Baltimore. Liz Fitzsimmons then presented some of the new interactive ads from the campaign.
In closing, the Chair noted that some of the upcoming election events would be a good opportunity to advocate for tourism. He stressed the importance of advocacy year-round rather than just during the legislative session.
Executive Director’s Report
Margot Amelia thanked everyone for their advocacy efforts in support of the tourism budget this year and gave an overview of the FY10 tourism budget. She referenced the handout in their folders containing detailed information on the Spring marketing campaign. Copies of the new civil war ad that was featured on back cover of Preservation magazine as well as the “Land of the Free” collateral piece were included in the board folders. OTD was able to purchase advertising on billboards in Philadelphia and in bus shelters in DC with the special funds that had been collected in previous fiscal years. Radio spots continue to be effective in reaching the primary target audience of women 25-54.
The 2009 DK Shifflett Visitor Volume Research Study reported an increase of one million visitors in calendar year 2009 over 2008. Maryland was one of only six states that saw an increase in visitation.
The Executive Director referred to the Draft Budget document included in folders showing fiscal years 2008, 2009 and 2010. She gave an overview of the 2011 budget indicating that OTD is taking on a number of new projects with a focus on projects that will have the greatest overall impact. She then asked for staff to report out on new/ongoing projects as follows:
Marci Ross - Scenic Byways: developing new byways materials based on information obtained via quantitative research and focus groups. Commemorations: several events and products being planned. Researching value of corporate sponsors/foundations to obtain funds beyond grant money to expand and
leverage existing dollars. Welcome Center Program: working with the DMOs on a team-oriented approach to the Welcome Center Program.
Liz Fitzsimmons - Calendar of Events: Close to launching the electronic calendar of events on the VisitMaryland website. Looking at different ways to economize and populate the online calendar. Hoping to offer advertising opportunities on website as revenue generator to help offset some costs. New Database: work continues on development of new database scheduled for completion by December 29, 2010. Public relations – Working on new public relations RFP which will go out for bid in Spring 2011.
Catherine Batavick - reported on the Maryland Green Travel program, highlighting the green travel listings currently on the VisitMaryland website.
Rich Gilbert - Ongoing projects including the African American Travel Conference coming to Baltimore in 2012 and AIBTM, a major conventions and incentive trade show, in Baltimore June 2011. Note: Margot mentioned that the National Academy Foundation just announced Rich’s nomination for Tourism Professional of the Year.
Rebecca Dougherty – just launched state park research survey in 36 state parks across the state. Collecting information from visitors to state parks as well as information from state park records on campers. Keeping costs down by doing majority of work in-house with the help of a graduate student/summer intern from Johns Hopkins. Next round of surveys to go out in two weeks.
Margot referred to the latest issue of the Tourism Monitor in the meeting folders. She concluded her report by summarizing the April Smith Travel Research hotel data included in board packets.
Executive Directors Council/DMOs
Tom Riford – MDMO Incoming Chair: synopsis of MDMO mission; advocacy for tourism efforts; looking forward to continued partnership with OTD. Both Tom, and later John Fieseler, commented on the Welcome Center Assistance Program.
RAM/MHLA - Mary Jo McCulloch (reporting for RAM/ Paul Hartgen): Restaurant sales
down 2.35%. Detailed speakers for the upcoming Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit November 3-5, 2010. Reiterated concern about upcoming vote in Baltimore City Council concerning an occupancy tax increase. While hotel occupancies continue to rebound, daily hotel rates are still a great concern. Great concern about online travel agencies and the state and local taxes they don’t remit to state and local governments.
MD Wineries (Jill Feinberg on behalf of Kevin Atticks): Gave update on upcoming winery events. There are now 42 wineries in MD.
DMOs: Rachelina Bonacci, Jill Feinberg, Barb Seigert and Bernadette Van Pelt: Each gave an update on news and events in their respective counties. Kent County reported that economic development and tourism development recently merged. Cruise line from Connecticut has scheduled a stop in Chestertown as part of its Chesapeake Bay cruise itinerary which also includes stops in St Michaels, Annapolis and St Mary’s.
Future 2010 MTDB Meetings
| Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010 |
All Day Strategic Plan Work session Central Region Location TBD |
| Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010 |
12 – 2 p.m., Central Region TBD |
2010 MD Tourism and Travel Summit
Wednesday, November 3 through Friday, November 5, 2010
Loews Annapolis Hotel, Annapolis, MD
Adjournment
