August

MARYLAND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT BOARD

BUSINESS MEETING

August 14, 2007

 

AGENDA ITEM I – Call to Order – The meeting was called to order by Hannah Lee Byron, designated Chair by Secretary David Edgerley, at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland.

 

Ms. Byron mentioned that she was appointed as temporary Chair by Secretary Edgerley until a new Chair has been appointed. Legislation was passed last year to add two General Assembly members to the MTDB; they are Senator Jennie Forehand and Delegate Wendell Beitzel; as well as three Destination Marketing Organization representatives effective October 1, 2007. Also, there was a recent appointment of Gary Jobson to the MTDB by the Speaker of the House. Ms. Byron also mentioned that Gerald Donovan resigned his position on the MTDB. She thanked the former members and new members for their time and commitment to this Board.

 

AGENDA ITEM II – Roll Call – Board members present: Michael Haynie, Peggy Maher, David Meloy, Bill Ripken, Khaled Said, Kathy Sher, Sheldon Suga, Alice Torriente, Andy Vick, Sergio Vitale, Cindy Wolf, Senator John Astle, Senator Jennie Forehand, Delegate Ann Marie Doory, Delegate James Mathias, Delegate Wendell Beitzel, representing Senator Nancy Jacobs-Bryan Shuy; Board members absent: Terry Prather.

 

Also in attendance: representatives from DBED – Margot Amelia, Hannah Byron, Pete Chambliss, Liz Fitzsimmons, Denise Konopacki, Bill Pencek, Marci Ross, Robert Stokes, Andrea Vernot; representatives from the Executive Director’s Council: Kevin Atticks, Carolyn Bonnett, Deborah Carter, Paula Kreuzburg-representing RAM, Roy Littlefield, Mary Ann Lisanti-representing Maryland Heritage Areas, Mary Jo McCulloch, Coleen West, Susan Zellers; representatives from MADMO: Kim Shirer, Barbara Beverungen, Connie DelSignore, John Fieseler, Kelly Groff, Tom Riford, Wini Roche, Sandy Turner; Kevin Best representing gkv.

 

AGENDA ITEM III – Approval of Minutes – Minutes from the May 18, 2007 meeting were approved unanimously as submitted.

 

AGENDA ITEM IV – Executive Director’s Report – Hannah Byron introduced Margot Amelia, Executive Director of the Maryland Office of Tourism.

Ms. Amelia presented an update on the FY 08 OTD and MTDB budget highlighting the earmark of $300,000 for the Sports Legends Museum as well as a carry-forward deficit of $150,000 due to the Maryland Zoo grant.

 

She recently surveyed the DMOs about OTD’s programs and how they work. Fifteen DMOs responded to her inquiry. From that survey, Ms. Amelia indicated she plans to bring more focus on the marketing efforts and a greater emphasis on results rather than volume of activities.

The proposed MTDB Committee Structure was discussed with three committees being formed: Strategic Planning/Marketing-OTD Liaison is Margot Amelia; Workforce Development-OTD Liaison is Bill Pencek; and Governmental Affairs-OTD Liaison is Hannah Byron. Each MTDB member will be assigned to one of the committees.

The next MTDB meeting has been moved to Friday, November 16 at noon at the Holiday Inn Select Solomons in conjunction with the Governor’s Tourism Industry Conference taking place from Wednesday, November 14 through Friday, November 16.

 

Bill Pencek, Director of Heritage & Cultural Tourism –

> He will be working directly with Marci Ross and the Product Development team of OTD.

> Among the initiatives already in the works is the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and better communications between various State agencies.

> Mr. Pencek is now the staff support on the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board activity and also the lead liaison on the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.

 

Marci Ross, Assistant Director for Product Development –

> Chesapeake Bay Gateways Initiative – This is a partnership initiative with the National Park Service and the Commonwealth of Virginia/Washington DC/Pennsylvania/Maryland/West Virginia. Since the programs inception, the State of Maryland helped to facilitate almost $6M worth of product development funds into the State.

> Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail – This is the first all water-based trail in the country. Hannah Byron has been nominated to the Trail’s Advisory Council.

> Several collateral pieces and publications were presented and copies available: Chesapeake Bay Gateways; Historic National Road; The Underground Railroad; Star-Spangled Banner Trail; John Wilkes Booth: Escape of an Assassin; Gettysburg: Invasion & Retreat; Baltimore: A House Divided; African American Heritage Guide; Antietam Campaign; Scenic Byways Guide and Map.

> Maryland Heritage Areas Authority – There was a recent grant round with the Technical Advisory Committee members with 88 grants reviewed for a $2.7M pool.

> OTD Cooperative Grants – All final reports have been received and the awards will now be calculated for FY08.

> Maryland Byways (formerly Scenic Byways) – A new guide and corresponding map are a partnership between State Highways Administration, Maryland Historical Trust, Maryland Coalition of Heritage Areas and people from all across the state. A call to action just went out on the Federal FY08 grants which the DMOs and Heritage Areas Executive Directors should have received.

 

Pete Chambliss, Assistant Director for Sales & Marketing –

> Maryland, Washington and Virginia will be hosting the American Bus Association conference at Gaylord National Harbor in 2010. Work has already begun on this conference.

> They have been busy coordinating the Meetings and Conventions Task Force having completed the Meetings Professional International tradeshow and currently planning the American Society of Association Executives show.

> They just finished Maryland on the Road to North and South Carolina; planning Mini-Maryland on the Road for central Pennsylvania; planning for the GLAMER and Travel Expo shows; will be attending National Tour Association and Ontario Motorcoach Association.

> CRUSA withdrew their bid to host the 2012 Pow Wow International Conference in Washington DC – the feeling was that there is a decline in the kind of trade show activities at the conference, too much uncertainty of partnerships and a tremendous strain on budgets.

> Over the past year they hosted a number of FAM tours which included 139 tour operators and travel agents with great participation from the private sector.

 

Liz Fitzsimmons, Assistant Director for Advertising & Communications –

> They are planning a web site redesign to be launched at the Governor’s Tourism Industry Conference.

> Destination Maryland travel guide and the Calendar of Events are ongoing.

> They are working on reinvigorating the Sports Resource Directory.

> The advertising campaign will start in September with on-line advertising, print and radio promotions within their primary markets.

 

Ms. Byron next spoke about the cuts sustained by OTD and the MTDB’s budget as well as the two earmarks for the Maryland Zoo and Sports Legends. There was an extensive discussion on the possibility of slots and a dedicated revenue stream for tourism marketing. The legislative members of the MTDB indicated that both the Senate and House need to agree on a proposal and then possibly a special session will be conducted.

 

AGENDA ITEM V – Executive Director’s Council/MADMO Reports – Ms. Byron introduced Coleen West, Chair of the Community Arts Alliance of Maryland, and newest member of the Executive Director’s Council.

 

**Dr. Kevin Atticks , Maryland Wineries Association – Dr. Atticks reported that there are currently 27 active wineries in the state. Five new ones will be opening soon. He is trying to get more of them to enter international competition. Various Maryland wineries have won 29 international gold medals from this past year. Also recently opened was the first home-made wine vinegary in Maryland. The Wine & Grape Industry is undergoing an economic impact study that should be released in December. The 24th Annual Maryland Wine Festival is scheduled for September 15 & 16 at the Carroll County Farm Museum.

**Carolyn T. Bonnett , MMA, MTSPA, & Super Shuttle – Ms. Bonnett mentioned that she represents three major firms: AAA Mid Atlantic; Maryland Taxi Cab, Sedan and Limo Association; and Maryland Motorcoach Association and Maryland School Bus Contractors. All of these organizations are on record in support of slots. They also indicated to the Governor that they are willing to pay more taxes and fees to support tourism dollars. They are hosting meetings with senators and delegates to convey the importance of a tax fee increase.

**Deborah Carter , Maryland Association of Campgrounds – Ms. Carter reported that the campground industry is doing very well. She encouraged all to attend the Governor’s Tourism Industry Conference where there will be a lot of educational sessions for everyone’s benefit and a newly planned Awards Banquet.

**Paula Kreuzburg , Restaurant Association of Maryland – Ms. Kreuzburg spoke about the illness of Marcia Harris who is currently in Johns Hopkins Hospital. She mentioned that the RAM Mid-Atlantic Food Expo will be held September 19 & 20 at the Baltimore Convention Center. She brought tickets to the Expo if anyone was interested in attending. The Legislative Reception is scheduled for Monday, January 21 at Loews Annapolis.

**Dr. Roy Littlefield , WMDA Service Association Assn. – Dr. Littlefield reported that his organization does not have a position on slots, but they do have a position on the gas tax. The Tire Industry Association has a national conference and he is encouraging them to look at Maryland next June for this conference.

**Mary Ann Lisanti , Maryland Coalition of Heritage Areas – Ms. Lisanti mentioned the $2.7 M that the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority committed to building heritage areas products, which requires a 75% cash match.

**Mary Jo McCulloch , Maryland Tourism Council and the Maryland Hotel & Lodging Association – Ms. McCulloch indicated that they are also interested in ensuring there are enough marketing dollars for OTD/MTDB by supporting any slots legislation with a percentage going toward the promotion of tourism. The Governor’s Tourism Industry Conference will be held November 14-16 at Holiday Inn Select Solomons. MTC has been a co-sponsor with OTD for the last 27 years. All are invited to attend.

**Kim Shirer , MADMO – Ms. Shirer reported that they will be having a collaborative session with OTD at the upcoming Governor’s Tourism Industry Conference in Solomons Island. They also will be partnering with RAM on the Legislative Reception in Annapolis in January. All MADMO members are meeting with their legislators to educate them about not earmarking the tourism budget. They have hired a lobbyist, Bill Miles, to help with additional tourism funding. The next MADMO meeting will be held Friday, October 5 at the Holiday Inn in Towson and all are welcome.

**Susan Zellers , Marine Trades Association of Maryland – Ms. Zellers reported that the Marine Trades Association is moving forward with the boating task force. This task force was established through a bill passed during the last General Assembly session.

 

AGENDA ITEM VI – Next Meeting(s) –

**Friday, November 16, noon - Holiday Inn Select Solomons

 

Proposed 2008 Meeting Dates:

**Tuesday, March 11, 12 noon, Annapolis

**Tuesday, June 10, 12 noon, location tbd

**Tuesday, September 9, 12 noon, location tbd

**Friday, November 7 – in conjunction w/Governor’s Tourism Industry

Conference

 

AGENDA ITEM VII – Adjournment – Ms. Byron adjourned the meeting at approximately 2 p.m. after which Bill Ripken provided a tour of the Ripken facilities.