The Governor’s budget also calls for $3 million for the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority and $50 million over three years for the Sustainable Communities Tax Credit, which builds on the success of the Heritage Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit that expires in June.

Created in 1996, the Heritage Areas Program helps communities use heritage tourism to bolster their economies through the development, protection and promotion of cultural, historic and natural resources. It has awarded more than $18 million in financial assistance and has been used to leverage about $70 million in non-state funds for heritage-tourism projects since its inception.

"Despite a limited budget, our professional PR staff continues to deliver outstanding results for Maryland's tourism industry," said Margot Amelia, executive director of the Tourism Office. "Strategic pitching, solid relationships with the media, well-crafted press releases and social-media outreach has enabled our team to produce dynamic results."

One example of the ongoing public-relations campaign: Ameilia was a featured guest on Jamie Costello's Good Morning Maryland show, Jan. 29, broadcast on WMAR-TV in Baltimore. Conversation focused on bed and breakfasts, and places to enjoy hot tea – the subject of the Tourism Office's January Maryland Spotlight campaign, a monthly effort that highlights distinctive aspects of Maryland tourism.

Tourism Office offers new Chesapeake Bay guide
Gov. Martin O'Malley has announced the release of Charms of the Chesapeake, a new publication produced by the Tourism Office that provides information and trip suggestions for visitors to use while navigating Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay region.

"The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure, and I invite everyone to enjoy its many waterfront towns, public park sites, spectacular lighthouses, and the fairs and festivals that are unique to Maryland," said Gov. O'Malley. "We hope that Charms of the Chesapeake will encourage our millions of visitors each year to experience the beauty of the Bay and join in our efforts to preserve this unique environment so that it can be enjoyed for generations to come."

Visitors can request a copy of Charms of the Chesapeake by calling 800-719-5900 or by visiting www.visitmaryland.org, and then clicking on "Order Your Maryland Vacation Travel Kit Today." It is also available in digital format at www.charmsofthechesapeake.com.

NEA unveils new program reflecting A&E districts
Four Maryland cities – Annapolis, Baltimore, Frederick and Hagerstown – are eligible to apply for funding in a new grants program offered by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) designed to transform communities through the arts. Awards range from $25,000 to $250,000. Eligible cities must have participated in the "Mayors' Institute on City Design," a 25-year-old program established by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Recently, the NEA asked state arts agencies about strategies that use the arts as economic generators for the advancement of communities. "They were looking for programs to align with the "artWorks" theme that the new chairman, Rocco Landesman, introduced," said Theresa Colvin, director of the Maryland State Arts Council. “We provided information about our arts and entertainment districts, as did other states."

"Artists are entrepreneurs, small businessmen all, great place-makers and community builders," Landesman said. "Bring artists into the center of town and that town changes profoundly."

Sports industry gathers in Baltimore for 2010 meeting
The largest annual meeting of sports, event and entertainment officials in North America – the 2010 National Sports Forum – opened in Baltimore, Monday, Feb. 1 at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel. About 800 participants representing sports teams and facilities (football, baseball, hockey, basketball and racing) from a variety of professional and collegiate leagues came to the event for networking, information sessions and talks by prominent members of the industry.

Keynote speakers included Steve Bisciotti, Baltimore Ravens owner; Andy McPhail, president of baseball operations, Baltimore Orioles; and Ari Fleischer, president, Ari Fleischer Sports Communications. The Ravens hosted the three-day event with support from the Orioles.

"Having the Forum here provides a great opportunity for sports leagues to get a view of Maryland as a place for special events, such as all-star or post-season games and exhibitions," said Terry Hasseltine, director of the Maryland Office of Sports Marketing. "Also, as these leagues get to know our office, they learn they can use us as a conduit to the professional and top collegiate teams and stadiums in the area for arranging an event because we have a good working relationship with those organizations."

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