MARYLAND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT BOARD
BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES
November 16, 2007
AGENDA ITEM I - Call to Order
- The meeting was called to order by Hannah Lee Byron, Acting Chair of the MTDB, at the Holiday Inn Select in Solomons, Maryland. Ms. Byron welcomed everyone to the Board meeting and the Governor’s Conference and expressed regret that legislative members of the board were unable to attend the Conference and Board meeting due to the Special Session.
AGENDA ITEM II
- Roll Call
-
Board members present
: Dave Meloy, Connie DelSignore, Debbi Dodson, Kelly Groff, Michael Haynie, Peggy Maher, Khaled Said, Kathy Sher, Sheldon Suga, Alice Torriente, and Andy Vick.
Board members absent
: Gary Jobson, Terry Prather, Bill Ripken, Sergio Vitale and legislative members Senator John Astle, Senator Jennie Forehand, Senator Nancy Jacobs, Delegate Wendell Beitzel, Delegate Ann Marie Doory and Delegate James Mathias, Jr.
Also in attendance:
DBED Representatives
: Hannah Byron, Margot Amelia, Greg Bird, Robert Brightful, Pete Chambliss, Camila Clark, Lucy Chittenden, Rebecca Dougherty, Liz Fitzsimmons, Todd Fox, Jennifer Jones, Denise Konopacki, Anne Kyle, Bill Pencek, David Rawle, Denise Reed and Marci Ross.
Executive Directors Council Representatives
: Deborah Carter, Donna Dudley, Joe Lespier, Mary Jo McCulloch, Roslyn Racanello and Marshall Weston, Interim President, representing RAM.
MADMO Representatives
: Barb Beverungen, Natalie Chabot, Amanda Fenstermaker, John Fieseler, Craig Peddicord, Tom Riford, JoAnn Roland (former DMO), Kim Shirer, Barbara Siegert, and Bernadette Van Pelt.
Additional attendees
: Bambi Legg - Queen Anne’s County Tourism; Kevin Best - gkv; Amy Winston – MTC; and Dottie Freeman - Carroll County Farm Museum.
AGENDA ITEM III - Approval of Minutes
– Minutes from the August 14, 2007 meeting were approved unanimously as submitted.
AGENDA ITEM IV - Election of Officers for 2008
- The following slate for the 2008 Election of Officers was proposed: MTDB Chair – David Meloy; Vice Chair, Attractions – Kathy Sher; Vice Chair, Food Service - Sergio Vitale; Vice Chair, Lodging – Michael Haynie; Vice Chair, Transportation – Peggy Maher; and Secretary/Treasurer – Alice Torriente. These officers represent the Executive Committee of the MTDB. A motion to approve the Officers was made, seconded and approved. Ms. Byron then turned the meeting over to Incoming Chair David Meloy.
AGENDA ITEM V – Incoming Chair’s Comments – David Meloy distributed his “Chairman’s Message.” Mr. Meloy mentioned that the MTDB has expanded to include a larger legislative member presence and three members representing the Destination Marketing Organizations. He welcomed all of the new members to the Board then proceeded to discuss the mission of the board this year to act in three ways:
1. Engagers, inviting constituents in the tourism industry to use the board to create visibility for their venues and help spread the word on important events.
2. Conveners of the tourism industry. Using our place on the board to help present a united message about who we are and the importance of our industry to all Marylanders.
3. Problem Solvers – Helping our immediate constituents to have a voice in the industry by using the Board and our industry partners as a tool to solve the problems that plague the tourism industry.
He stressed the importance of communications between the Board, the Executive Committee, and the Office of Tourism on a regular basis in order to address future challenges. Mr. Meloy mentioned that new members to the board went through orientation and received copies of original legislation that created the Tourism Development Board in the first place. He asked that everyone review the legislation (included in the Board meeting folders) to obtain a further understanding as to why the board was created. For returning board members, review legislation as a reminder of the reason the legislation was created to develop the board and their function.
Mr. Meloy then asked Denise Konopacki to step up to the podium. In honor of all of her years of service to the Board, he presented her with an award for her “outstanding service and dedication to the MD Tourism Development Board for the State of Maryland.”
He then invited Margot Amelia to the podium for the Executive Director’s Report.
AGENDA ITEM VI – Executive Director’s Report
– Ms. Amelia focused on the key initiatives from the three workgroups: strategic planning & marketing; workforce development and legislative outreach. (Updated committee lists provided in the meeting folders). The goal is to have committee meetings prior to the full board meetings so the three workgroups should expect to convene in committees in February prior to the March board meeting. She then reiterated some of the information from the Office of Tourism presentation held the day before at the Governor’s Conference. Per the latest OTD Annual Report (included in the meeting folders), both visitor volume and expenditures were up over 2005. Fast Facts books will also be available, along with other printed materials, to assist in upcoming legislative outreach efforts. She then referenced Governor O’Malley’s transition report (included in folders) relating to a key recommendation that OTD needed to update its website. She then gave a quick presentation of the revised website.
Ms. Amelia then referred to several items included in the meeting folders: Recap of the MTDB $1.5 million County Cooperative Grant Awards; the Maryland Field Trip and Teacher’s Guide publication; and various press clips.
Ms. Amelia then reviewed highlights of the new advertising campaign: “Take Back Your Vacation” which appeared in magazines, on radio and online. She also passed out the latest CRUSA Holiday Guide, indicating that International travel is currently ahead of domestic travel in increases. Ms. Amelia then asked Bill Pencek to come to the podium to give a brief update on workforce development activities and a recent interagency meeting convened by Deputy Secretary Clarence Bishop in October.
Workforce Development- Bill Pencek
- The Committee has reviewed the five goals presented in the GWIB Hospitality and Tourism monograph and determined the Committee and Board can meaningfully contribute to reaching three of them with a variety of committed partners. Maryland Tourism Education Foundation will assume the lead for Goal #1: “Image.” The Committee can contribute to Goal #2: “Education/Industry Partnerships,” with the creation of a web portal on the Visit Maryland website, and to Goal #5: “Small Business.”
State Agency Coordination - On October 3rd DBED Deputy Secretary Clarence Bishop convened a group of 30 officials at the State House from eight state agencies which routinely invest in visitor experience and marketing. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss improved coordination of state investments in tourism products, services and marketing. The response from the meeting was positive, and a follow-up meeting of a smaller group will be convened in January.
Hannah Byron commented that tourism-related activities include programs such as the Arts and Entertainment Districts, Main Street Programs, Civil War Driving Trails and the Scenic Byways Programs.
Legislative Update – Hannah Byron
– MADMO has retained the services of Bill Miles as legislative advocate for the association. Mr. Miles was one of the key draftsmen for the bill creating the MTDB so he is very familiar with the industry. Discussion then occurred on the Special Session and the various funding options that were debated. Ms. Byron stressed the need to be more strategic in getting all of our industry partners together and to really begin to show the power of the industry. There has been a tremendous amount of support from the legislature – tourism is on their minds. Hopefully the industry will be able to follow-up in the next session.
AGENDA ITEM VII – Executive Directors Council/MADMO Reports
:
EDC
: Deborah Carter – Campgrounds – She just returned from the National Association of Campgrounds Conference which was held in Phoenix, AZ. There were a lot of new initiatives discussed. The initiative they will focus on most is green energy, i.e., renewable energy sources, mainly wind turbines and solar panels.
Donna Dudley & Roslyn Racanello – Heritage Areas – The state heritage areas are about to undertake a strategic planning process to take a look at the Heritage program to see if it has met its original goals and suggest the program’s direction for the future. Bill Pencek, Marci Ross, Kelly Groff & Natalie Chabot are on that committee.
Joe Lespier – B&B Association – Concerns with the economy, prime rate, etc., which puts the B&B’s in jeopardy. B&Bs offer a tremendous and unique charm and he is doing what he can to bring attention to these concerns and keep the B&Bs vital to the state.
Kim Shirer – MADMO – Acknowledged the new MADMO Board members and noted that all but two DMOs attended the Governor’s Conference.
Marshall Weston - Restaurant Association of Maryland, Interim President – Searching for new President and CEO for RAM. Promoted Taste of Maryland as a good opportunity to get in front of the legislators and voice concerns and he encouraged everyone to attend.
Mary Jo McCulloch – MTC/MHLA - Gave a general legislative update, reiterated the importance of upcoming legislative receptions and encouraged everyone to plan to attend and participate. Looking forward to going to Gaylord next year for the Governor’s Tourism Industry Conference. Planning for Conference starts in early February for those who would like to participate. If anyone has any suggestions based on what they saw at this conference, please let her know.
MADMO
: Connie DelSignore, Annapolis & Anne Arundel County – Mentioned the upcoming ribbon cutting ceremonies for Park Place and the Westin Hotel. Also mentioned the Westfield Mall ribbon-cutting ceremony and the opening of the new Annapolis CVB offices on West Street. Invited everyone to stop by and see the new facility.
Debbie Dodson, Talbot County - Inn at Perry Cabin opened new “Linden Spa” which is doing very well. Tidewater Inn has been a great asset to Talbot County, renovations are beautiful.
Craig Peddicord, Baltimore County – He is pleased to host the February Fam tour for the welcome centers.
Ms. Byron announced the scholarship established in memory of Marcia Harris which will be presented to a student from the Academy of Travel & Tourism. Scholarship will pay for accommodations, transportation and registration for the conference so a student will attend every year in the future. Marsha was a strong advocate for workforce development and education and OTD is happy that we were able to do that in her honor.
In the future, OTD would like to present to the board some of its programs and initiatives to bring the board up to speed on product development initiatives, marketing and advertising, sports marketing, arts & entertainment districts and things of that nature. OTD plans to have the board meetings in various locations around the state and have a speaker on certain issues of importance to the industry.
AGENDA ITEM VIII – Next Meetings:
Tuesday, March 11 12 noon Holiday Inn, BWI
Tuesday, June 10 12 noon Location TBD
Tuesday, September 9 12 noon Location TBD
Monday, November 10 TBD Gaylord National Resort and Conference Center
(In conjunction with GTIC - Time TBD)
AGENDA ITEM IX – Adjournment
