IN BRIEF: TOURISM, FILM AND THE ARTS NEWS

Jim Zumbo Outdoors Show visits Maryland's Eastern Shore
Jim Zumbo, iconic outdoor journalist, visited Maryland’s Eastern Shore to tape several segments for his Jim Zumbo Outdoors Show from November 23 through December 3. The Maryland Office of Tourism has worked with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources since 2006 to bring Jim to Maryland. His show airs on the Outdoor Channel and is seen by thousands of outdoor enthusiasts each week.

Maryland State Arts Council Announces FY 2009 ARTvantage Grant Deadline
The Maryland State Arts Council announces January 10, 2008 as the deadline for the ARTvantage Grant Program. The program enables arts organizations and artists to expand and diversify their audiences, extends the arts to underserved populations and emphasizes the potential of the arts to help strengthen communities. The ARTvantage grant requires a collaborative effort between at least two non-profit organizations incorporated in Maryland. Completed applications must be successfully submitted via eGrant. Hand delivered, faxed, or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Contact Shirley Howard at 410-767-6542 or showard@msac.org for additional information.

Federal budget to provide increases for arts programs
The National Endowment for the Arts is close to receiving a $20 million increase for FY 2008, the largest increase in NEA funding in almost 25 years. The "omnibus" bill passed the House and Senate and is expected to be signed by the President. Traditionally, approximately 40 percent of this appropriations bill would go to state arts agencies. If this holds, Maryland arts would receive an additional $100,000 to $150,000.

IN THE NEWS

Maryland’s Arts and Entertainment Districts Merge Commerce and Culture
Maryland is a state of acute economic and cultural contrasts. Biotech firms and aerospace engineering centers are headquartered mere miles from family farms. Physicians and researchers, drawn to Maryland’s advanced health care facilities, call the state home, as do watermen who for generations have made a living harvesting crabs by hand from the Chesapeake Bay. World-class museums and performing arts centers coexist in a rich cultural landscape with traditional decoy carvers and master shipwrights of the eastern shore. (National Assembly of State Arts Agencies newsletter; November 2007)

Tourism and building fuel a revenue boost in Garrett
When Garrett County Chamber of Commerce President Charlie Ross sees the spike in sales taxes the county has sent to the state over the last five years, he does not see money going out of the county.

Maryland winemakers toast dry year, grape harvest
While most crop farmers lamented this summer’s drought, vineyard owners were cheering, as they enjoyed one of the sweetest grape harvests in years. (The Gazette; December 14)

Houses go up; scenic road signs come down
They were, officially, roads that offered some of the most beautiful views in Maryland, meandering past farms, woodlands and historic buildings. Signs painted with black-eyed Susans marked them as "Scenic Byways" - part of a state program to boost tourism and preserve the character of rural roads. (Baltimore Sun; December 16)

Hunters and fishers pump $900M annually into state economy
Maryland's hunters and anglers are one of the most powerful demographic groups in the state because of their high expenditures, according to a new report released Wednesday by Washington, D.C.'s Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. (Baltimore Business Journal; December 20)

Pharmaceutical meetings expected to bring 2,000 to Baltimore
Baltimore's main tourism and convention agency has booked a two-year pharmaceutical meeting, capitalizing on an industry the group hopes will bring more business to the city. (Baltimore Business Journal; December 18)

EVENTS CALENDAR

Save the Dates: Taste of Maryland Legislative Reception and Maryland Arts Day

• Tell the tourism story to longstanding and new legislators at the Taste of Maryland Legislative Reception in Annapolis on January 21. The Taste of Maryland Legislative Reception includes participation from the Restaurant Association of Maryland, the Maryland Association of Destination Marketing Associations, Maryland Tourism Council, and many other Maryland tourism and hospitality associations.
• On Thursday, February 7, hundreds of arts supporters from throughout Maryland will convene in Annapolis for Arts Day to discuss the value of funding for arts organizations with elected and state officials.
  

Marketing Calendar

Maryland Tourism’s Sales Team hits the road: Upcoming marketing opportunities:

• Eastern Sport, Travel & Outdoor Show; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; February 2 - 10, 2008. The East Coast’s largest consumer-oriented sport show, a brochure distribution program allows industry partners exposure from the Maryland booth.
• American Bus Association Marketplace; Virginia Beach, Virginia; February 2 - 8, 2008. Maryland will be represented by more than 50 industry partners. On February 7, Maryland, Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Gaylord National Resort will sponsor a luncheon for 1,600 delegates in advance of Marketplace 2010 at Gaylord.
• Pennsylvania Bus Association Marketplace; April 2, 2008. Book your booth space now to be part of the Maryland aisle.

Contact Rich Gilbert with questions regarding these marketing opportunities at 410-767-6288 or rgilbert@mdwelcome.org.