MINUTES
MARYLAND
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT BOARD
BUSINESS MEETING
May 18, 2007
AGENDA ITEM I – Call to Order – The meeting was called to order by Chairman Michael James at the Greenbelt Marriott in Greenbelt, Maryland.
AGENDA ITEM II – Roll Call – Board members present: Steve Adler, Charlie Birney, Michael James, David Meloy, Senator Nancy Jacobs, Delegate Ann Marie Doory, Delegate James Mathias. Board members absent: Ruth Beitzel, Gerald Donovan, Dorothy Hamill, Bill Ripken, Alice Torriente, Sergio Vitale, Senator John Astle.
Also in attendance: representatives from DBED: David Bahlman, Pete Chambliss, Camila Clark, Liz Fitzsimmons, Rich Gilbert, Jennifer Jones, Denise Konopacki, Anne Kyle, David Rawle, Marci Ross; representatives from the Executive Director’s Council: Deborah Carter, Donna Dudley, Mary Jo McCulloch, Roz Racanello; representatives from MADMO: Kim Shirer, Margot Amelia, Barbara Beverungen, Rachelina Bonacci, Natalie Chabot, Kelly Groff, Matt Netizey, Craig Peddicord, Barbara Siegert, Deb Travers, Sandy Turner, Bernadette Van Pelt; representatives from gkv: Kevin Best, Nick Tate; Dottie Freeman from the Carroll County Farm Museum.
AGENDA ITEM III – Approval of Minutes – The minutes from the February 7, 2007 meeting were approved unanimously as submitted.
AGENDA ITEM IV – MTDB Updates –
**Charlie Birney – They have hosted the Maritime Festival in Annapolis which included a floating putting green. They have also just reopened the River Course in Queenstown on May 1st.
**Senator Nancy Jacobs – Senator Jacobs spoke about the LPGA tournament upcoming in Bulle Rock and the BRAC program and its impact on Harford County & Cecil County.
**David Meloy – Mr. Meloy also spoke about the BRAC program and its positive impact on the tourism industry by creating new marketing and business opportunities. All should be thinking about taking advantage of the largess.
**Steve Adler – Savage Mill is doing very well. The facility increased its leasing recently. In July or August they will be breaking ground at the new Holiday Inn/Intercontinental Hotel.
**Delegate Ann Marie Doory – Delegate Doory indicated that the Lt. Governor is the point person within the State for the BRAC program. They are also reaching out to the private sector. DBED along with local tourism industry representatives have been meeting on the issue occasionally.
Report on Baltimore City – It is Preakness week; NCAA Lacrosse is scheduled to be held at the M&T Bank Stadium. There was a recent study done which recommended that a new arena be built in the City.
**Delegate Jim Mathias – He feels that tourism is a good generator of economic development and we need to let the Administration know. He advised the Chair of the MTDB to get the word out that tourism is a good investment and again offered his assistance in any way.
**Michael James – First mentioned the earmark on OTD/MTDB’s budget that was given to the Maryland Zoo recently. He asked if there was any way in getting those funds back for the marketing portion of the budget. It was briefly discussed and the funds will not be put back into the budget. He also mentioned that the Board welcomes all comments and help from anyone regarding issues relating to the industry at the Board meetings or by making contact directly with the Board members.
The real estate market has been tough this year for Ocean City. Mr. James said though that it should be a good summer for the area.
AGENDA ITEM V – Executive Director’s Report –
Mr. James introduced David Bahlman and thanked him for his work with the MTDB since he will be departing for a new position.
Mr. Bahlman announced a new employee – Lucy Chittenden who will be OTD’s web marketing manager. OTD also is looking for two other positions: a Trade Show Coordinator and a Research Manager.
Mr. Bahlman mentioned the newly adopted Senate Bill 426 which adds five new members to the Board: two members from the General Assembly (one Senator and one Delegate) and three members from the DMO organization – the Bill is effective October 1, 2007.
Tourism Budget – OTD/MTDB did receive some earmarks; one was $600K from the current fiscal year to go to the Maryland Zoo; the other was $300K from FY08 to go to the Sports Legend facility.
Presentation of the FY08 Marketing and Development Plan: A copy of the draft plan and budget was provided for each participant. Each unit Assistant Director then provided information on their portion of the marketing plan and related budget. Total Administration budget: $4,141.938; Development budget: 1,734,308; Sales & Marketing: $605,707; Advertising & Communications: $5,645,753 – all totaling $12,127,706. Since there was no voting quorum present, the FY08 Marketing & Development Plan along with its budget was approved unanimously by the voting members present and subsequently approved by the Executive Committee of the MTDB at a meeting held on April 29, 2007.
AGENDA ITEM VI – Executive Director’s Council/MADMO Reports –
**Deborah Carter, Maryland Association of Campgrounds – Ms. Carter spoke about the upcoming Governor’s Tourism Industry Conference, scheduled for November 14-16 at the Holiday Inn Select in Solomons Island. The campground business has been steady and they will be hosting two national conferences in Cherry Hill Park.
**Donna Dudley and Roz Racanello, Maryland Coalition of Heritage Areas – The Authority had a successful legislative session. House Bill 1217 was passed which extended the time period for the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) to make certain grants for acquisition or development. It was reported that the MHAA has begun a strategic planning process.
**Mary Jo McCulloch, Maryland Tourism Council and the Maryland Hotel & Lodging Association – The Maryland Hotel & Lodging Association met recently with Gaylord’s new general manager, Sheldon Suga. They will be opening April of 2008. There seems to be general growth in the area, specifically Baltimore, Aberdeen, and Columbia.
They had a difficult legislative session; they lost the smoking ban which will be enforced on February 1, 2008. There was a discussion regarding hotel taxes throughout the State. Many issues related to the municipalities and it is now State-wide. Ms. McCulloch also indicated her concern for the earmarks out of the State tourism budget.
**Kim Shirer, Maryland Association of Destination Marketing Organizations – MADMO had its most recent meeting in Queen Anne’s County where they had discussions on the new signage program. Cheryl Schreiber and Bob Firth have been invited to their retreat on May 31/June 1 to discuss this new program. Ms. Shirer invited all to this upcoming retreat and to their upcoming meetings. They voted to give a $1,000 scholarship for professional development by a recognized national tourism organization, association or person. They are looking forward to working with OTD on a collaborative program at the Governor’s Tourism Industry Conference.
AGENDA ITEM VII – Next Meeting Dates –
**Wed., November 14 – Holiday Inn Select Solomons, Calvert County -
in conjunction with the Governor’s Tourism Industry Conf.
AGENDA ITEM VIII – Adjournment – Chairman James adjourned the meeting at approximately 12 noon.
