IN BRIEF: TOURISM, FILM AND THE ARTS NEWS

Maryland Film Office recognized with Award of Distinction
In recognition of the tremendous economic impact filmmaking has on the state, the Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland honored the Maryland Film Office with an Award of Distinction on September 26. MFO was recognized for attracting numerous on-location shoots that benefit small businesses. The bureau noted that movies and television series employ local citizens, rent short-term housing, purchase numerous goods, requisition catering, and often improve facilities used during filming.

Rich Gilbert receives Ed Kane's Water Taxi Award
OTD Senior Sales Manager Rich Gilbert received Ed Kane's Water Taxi's Thomas Boyle Marketing Sword award for his outstanding contribution to tourism. The award was given by President/CEO Cammie Kane, who noted the significance of the traditional sword award as being on the cutting edge of tourism and hospitality.

OTD officials tour International Preservation Trades Workshop
Office of Tourism Development Executive Director Margot Amelia, Director of Cultural and Heritage Tourism Bill Pencek and DMO John Fieseler last week toured the International Preservation Trades Workshop in Frederick. Co-sponsored by the Preservation Trades Network and the National Park Service Historic Preservation Training Center, the workshop brought more than 300 international visitors to Maryland. Dr. Gerard Lynch, a master in carving gauged brickwork, completed a piece depicting the clustered spires that will be donated to the Frederick Tourism Council for its new Visitor Center. The new center will be located adjacent to the Training Center’s Jenkins Cannery Building.

Mini-Maryland on the Road 2007 gets Maryland tourism rolling
Nearly 20 Maryland suppliers recently spent three days on the road encouraging tour operators from Lancaster, Reading, Harrisburg, York and areas in-between to bring their groups to the state. Maryland on the Road Enterprise (MORE) is a cooperative marketing effort between the Office of Tourism Development and participating partners. Rich Gilbert, with OTD, led a diverse team of professionals representing attractions, restaurants, hotels and county tourism offices from throughout the state. For additional information or to participate next year, contact at (410) 767-6288.

Maryland awarded three Preserve America Grants
Preserve America, a $2.2 million White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our nation's cultural and natural heritage, awarded $325,000 to organizations in Maryland, the only state to get three projects funded. Thurgood Marshall’s First Public School in Baltimore will receive $100,000; the Maryland Heritage Areas Program Strategic Plan in Crownsville will receive $75,000, and the Frederick Visitors Center Exhibit and Heritage Trail will receive $150,000. On the Net: U.S. Department of the Interior press release

Newly renovated Annapolis Visitors Center nearly open for business
On November 8, the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau will kick off the $1.3 million expansion of the Annapolis Visitors Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony and cocktail reception. The upgrade will result in more office space and a reconfigured Visitors Center with modern restroom facilities and front-door access off of West Street. The changes also pave the way for increased technology, including Web site upgrades that will enable AAACCVB staff to answer online queries and remotely share information.

Maryland States Arts Council artwork makes prime-time appearance
Artwork from the Maryland State Arts Council's "Celebrating 40 Years – Showcasing 40 Artists" exhibit appeared on MPT's "Artworks This Week" television show and Web site. The shows aired on October 10 at 7:30 p.m. and October 13 at 9 a.m. The exhibit celebrates the arts council's 40th anniversary and runs through December 19, 2007 in the Maryland State Art Council's James Backas Gallery.

Howard County purchases Historic Ellicott City Post Office
The Howard County government signed a letter of intent to purchase Historic Ellicott City's U.S. Post Office building, which is on the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties and one of Preservation Howard County’s Top Ten Endangered Sites. The purchase will allow the Visitor Information Center to house larger historical interpretation displays, showcase special event information and provide ample space for brochures, books, and maps. Additional potential benefits are expanded meeting space, internet access for travelers, and space to watch county informational videos and purchase souvenir items by local authors and artists.

IN THE NEWS

City hotel projects win tax credits
Several hotels being developed downtown received major awards of state historic tax credits under a new formula that allows Baltimore City commercial projects to reap a larger share of the credits.

Film festival presents free 3-D classics
Bringing a new dimension to Free Fall Baltimore, the Maryland Film Festival is offering free 3-D film screenings Wednesdays through Oct. 24.

EVENTS CALENDAR

Register now for the Maryland Governor's Tourism Industry Conference!
Registration is filling up fast for the Maryland Governor's Tourism Industry Conference on November 14 - 16 at the Holiday Inn Select in Solomons Island. The conference facilitates the education of the tourism community, provides networking opportunities, teaches about the role of the Maryland Office of Tourism and creates a strong industry to encourage elected leaders to increase funding. For more details and a quick and easy registration, click here. Registration deadline is November 6.

Assembly 2007 coming to Baltimore
State arts agency staff, volunteer leaders and colleagues from across the nation will gather December 6 - 8 in Baltimore to examine the role of the arts in a thriving democracy, highlight the essential contributions that the public sector makes to American cultural life, provide essential education, networking and leadership opportunities; and celebrate the 40th anniversaries of the Maryland State Arts Council, NASAA and many other state arts agencies. On the Net: Assembly 2007

Events on the horizon

Evolution: Five Decades of Printmaking, College Park, Through March 14, 2008
Gateway EcoARTS Fest, Mount Rainier, October 20
Annual Open Studio Tour, Baltimore, October 20 - 21
Maryland Mountain Artists Studio Tour; Allegany County; Nov. 3 - 4, Nov. 10 - 11
Maryland Governor's Tourism Industry Conference, Solomons Island, Nov. 14 -16