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Nora Campbell Wins
Tourism Person of the Year!
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OVER 300 TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY PROFESSIONALS GATHERED FOR THE 42ND ANNUAL MARYLAND TRAVEL & TOURISM SUMMIT (MTTS) LAST WEEK
Owings Mills (November 13, 2023) – Over 300 tourism and hospitality professionals from around the state gathered for the 42nd Annual Maryland Travel & Tourism Summit (MTTS) at the Owings Mills Marriott, November 8-10, 2023. Sponsored and managed by the Maryland Tourism Coalition (MTC), this yearly summit brought together hundreds of private and public sector tourism employees and provided them with professional development seminars, networking events and opportunities for individuals to learn from experts and industry leaders on how best to incorporate innovative strategies to benefit Maryland. As part of the conference, there was a Welcoming Reception held at Maryland Public Television and an awards Banquet held at the Marriott Owings Mills. Attendees hailed from various arenas including hotel/motel, attractions, museums, transportation, arts and culture, Destination Management Organizations, tours, restaurants and sports organizations, among others. The summit was hosted by Marriott Owings Mills Metro Centre, Maryland Tourism Coalition, Maryland Office of Tourism and Enjoy Baltimore County.
“Tourism is an integral part of our state economy and it’s back stronger than ever. This summit affords us an opportunity to not only come together as professionals and learn from each other but to also to be better educated about important trends and economic factors that will affect what we do every day in order that we may all move forward together to make the industry even more vital and vibrant. This year, we welcomed 88 new conference attendees and 15 new sponsors to give us 54 total sponsors. That is 9 more than last year!” said Ruth Toomey, Executive Director, MTC.
On Thursday evening, an awards banquet was held and MTC recognized the very best work in the industry, including a special “Tourism Person of the Year.” Nora Campbell, a National Aquarium in Baltimore employee, was awarded this honor for her tireless dedication to her job, for her commitment to the tourism industry and partner organizations, for being an integral model of positivity throughout the pandemic, for her willingness to pitch in when needed to make things go smoothly, and for orchestrating a highly successful and creative event for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2022 Annual Conference.
18 other recipients also received awards and were recognition in their industry and beyond. A full list of winners is linked. Thank you to Mixing Maryland for the music entertainment and Be Sharp for the photo booth at the After Party
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Thank You to All Who Attended! | |
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Over the 3 days we saw over 300 individuals! We welcomed 88 new attendees, we brought in 15 NEW sponsors and increased our ANNUAL sponsors 21! Many thanks to everyone who made this event possible from the committee volunteers, the venue and staff, the sponsors, the host county and the in-kind donations.
While the MTTS is over, please remember the sponsors when thinking about doing future business.
A big THANK YOU to KRR Photography for capturing the 3-day event. Photos for the event will be found on our MTC Facebook Page in a couple different albums over the next few days. Please make sure when using the photos you give photo credit to KRR Photography If you are not already following us on social media, please do! We will be back to regular scheduled programming and will begin to promote holiday deals, specials and events. Stay up to date on what is going on around the state!
If you attended MTTS, please take the survey!!! Your Feedback is very important to us as we look to plan MTTS 2024 and how we can continue to make improvement and changes. We ask that you please take the time to take our survey.
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The Maryland Office of Tourism and the Maryland Tourism Development Board are tremendous supporters and partners of MTC and this summit. Each year, one of the most widely anticipated sessions is the one in which we hear news and updates from Liz Fitzsimmons, Department of Commerce, Managing Director of the Division of Tourism Film and the Arts. | |
Opening Reception Sponsored by Baltimroe County Tourism & MPT | |
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A BIG thank you to the Baltimore County Tourism and Maryland Public Television for hosting the Opening Reception on Wednesday evening! A good time had by all! Many, MANY thanks to all the business to donated their time and services to support the Taste of Baltimore County! View the Opening Reception photos here
Participating restaurants and business include:
Please make sure the next time you are in Baltimore County you stop in and support these businesses!
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General Sessions & Breakout Information | |
Bridging Generational Differences | | |
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JEFF BUTLER
Modern day workplace has four generations working under one roof. Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, Millennials and soon Generation Z all work together to accomplish common organizational goals. But with differences in each of these generation’s viewpoints, upbringings, culture, ideas, beliefs and experiences, it is likely to see some tiffs or clashes within the organization. This makes managing four different generations in the workplace an extremely difficult task to accomplish, though not impossible. With right guidance, support and advice, the task of managing these four generations under one roof is achievable. That support may come in various forms, one of which is this program.
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Moving Tourism Forward Throughout Maryland | |
Cannabis Regulations in Hospitality | Andrew Garrison is the Chief of the Office of Policy and Government Affairs for the Maryland Cannabis Administration | |
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International Marketing by CRUSA | On a lean budget? Join Capital Region USA (CRUSA) to learn how to maximize marketing dollars to reach this segment. CRUSA is the official regional destination marketing organization promoting Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland internationally, in partnership with Destination DC, the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Maryland Office of Tourism Development and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. During this session, you will learn more about CRUSA’s mission to convince overseas travelers to stay longer and spend more money. CRUSA works to leverage public and private investments to showcase a regional travel experience. Learn how to be a part of this effort! | |  |
Media Storytelling & Relationship Building for Your Branding | Travelers have never had more information at their fingertips. From digital and social to traditional earned media and broadcast, a marketing plan must encompass multiple touchpoints in a holistic manner for success. During this panel, you'll hear from industry experts on how you can blend the earned and paid sides of your media plans for maximum amplification – and how relationships play a key role in these conversations no matter which side you're working with. | | | |
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AI – The Good the Bad and the Unknown | Justin Gibbs – Director of Strategy & Insights, Miles, explored the transformative potential of ChatGPT and AI in driving effective marketing strategies. | | |
The Pitch
Thank you to this crew for PITCHING in and helping out for this session!
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Show Me the Money (Supply)
Anirban Basu
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Soft landing? Something harder? Whither inflation? This presentation supplied in-depth analysis of the major factors shaping economic outcomes, including central bank policymaking, worker attitudes, business confidence, and geopolitics. It will then turn toward a forecast for the year to come, highlighting the major risks that economic stakeholders will likely encounter. Back by popular demand, Dr. Basu joined us for the annual economic forecast, an insightful analysis of recent economic trends and transformations. | | |
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If you are not a member of MTC and would like to be a member in 2024, we have an introductory special for new members for just $99!
You can sign up online or click "Bill Me" to get an invoice.
If you would like more information on member benefits, please contact Ruth Toomey.
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New Member Benefits in 2024
Coming Soon!
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As announced during the MTC Annual Meeting, we are pleased to announce that we will be adding NEW benefits to enhance your member benefits. We have partnered with the Restaurant Association of Maryland to bring you access to Workers' Comp Insurance. You will need to join RAM but we are offering an extremely low rate of $50 in addition to your MTC dues.
We are also thrilled to bring you the new Job Board. Members can post, change and remove job opportunities throughout the year. All Job Seekers will be able to view!
All this information will be set up in Personify soon. Don't know your login information? Please contact Stuart Rice.
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Join a Committee
All Committees meet via Zoom
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Membership Committee
This committee meets the FIRST Tuesday of the Month at 3:00 pm
If you would like to learn more about this committee, please contact Membership Committee Contact Ruth Toomey.
Communications Committee
This Committee Meetings the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 3pm
If you would like to learn more about this committee, please contact Communications Committee Chair Nicole Motsay or Brianna Dix.
Education Committee
This committee meets the 2nd Monday of the month at 2pm
If you would like to learn more about this committee, please contact Education Committee Chair Jodi Roze.or Jeff Brainard
Legislative Committee
This committee will meet every Monday at Noon during Session and once a month after Session
If you would like to be included on the meeting invites, please email Matt Libber, MTC Legislative Chair.
If you would like to sit in on a committee meeting to try it out, please email Ruth to get you set up for the next meeting!
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Save the Date for MTTS 2024 | | |
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Tourism Day 2024
February 9, Annapolis
Stay tuned for more information. Registration and Sponsorship Opportunities Coming Soon!!
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Summer Soiree
August 14
Holiday Inn Oceanfront
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Thank You to the 2023 MTTS Sponsors | | |
Maryland Tourism Coalition
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