Dear TFA Industry Partner,

Welcome to the first issue of Maryland Insights! We are delighted to share with you the news and happenings from the offices of Tourism, Film and the Arts. Through this bi-weekly e-newsletter, you will receive timely updates on statewide events and initiatives. We'll also keep you up-to-date on staff, budget, board and legislative announcements.

Whoever said that you can’t go home? Prior to my tenure as Director of the Baltimore Film Office, I was the Executive Director at the Maryland Office of Tourism. It is a pleasure to be back with the great staff at Redwood Tower and see the excellent work that has been done to keep Maryland’s economic engine running. I am looking forward to continuing many of the programs that have been the foundation of the office as well as instituting some new ones.

During the previous administration, the Assistant Secretary of TFA also served as the Executive Director of the Office of Tourism. The O'Malley/Brown Transition Report found that the Office of Tourism was a powerful economic development program; therefore, it was imperative that a full-time director be appointed. I am happy to report that we will be announcing the director in the very near future. I had hoped to have the opportunity to interview Deputy Director David Bahlman; however, due to David’s strong management skills, he was offered a much larger position in the private sector. I know that David will be missed by the industry and I wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

The O'Malley/Brown Administration came into office during dire financial times and has had to make some hard decisions. Many of you have read about the Governor’s instruction to his cabinet secretaries to reduce state spending by $200 million. The staff and I have reviewed the Fiscal Year 08 budget and have reduced spending in some areas by eight percent. Employees have responded to this situation positively and evaluated their programs to maximize performance.

It is indicative of the tourism industry that so many of you called, e-mailed, or wrote to welcome me back. Thank you very much for your kind thoughts. I look forward to working with you as we develop a tourism program that packages state assets in a compelling manner: One that encourages consumers to travel to Maryland, spend their money, and return home with wonderful memories, leaving their dollars with our attractions, accommodations and communities.

Sincerely,

Hannah L. Bryon
Assistant Secretary
Tourism, Film and the Arts

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TOURISM NEWS AND NOTES

Maryland unveils new Byways Guidebook and Map
During the National Scenic Byways Program Conference held in Baltimore last month, OTD unveiled a new guidebook and map. These free companion pieces guide travelers along 19 byways encompassing the entire state and bringing travelers off the state’s major highways to routes tracing the Underground Railroad, Mountain Maryland, the Lower Susquehanna and miles of memories in between. To date, three of Maryland’s Byways have been designated America’s Byways by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation through the National Scenic Byways Program because of their nationally significant cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities. Those byways are Chesapeake Country, which offers a trip through Maryland’s Eastern Shore, a vista-filled journey along the Catoctin Mountain Byway, and the Historic National Road, which has been dubbed the "The Road that Built the Nation." For copies of the guidebook and map, visit www.visitmaryland.org.

High gas prices not expected to impact summer travel
According to a recent survey conducted by The Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), despite increased gas prices, many Americans will still hit the road this summer, which is good news for Maryland given the fact that nearly 80% of travel to the state is by car. TIA predicts that if gas prices reach $3.50 per gallon that many American will alter their travel plans slightly, however most will either shorten the length of stay or drive a shorter distance. With that, the survey also showed that leisure travelers are planning to take slightly more trips this summer than last. For more information, visit www.tia.org.

Maryland celebrates National Tourism Week
To celebrate National Tourism Week (May 12-20), The Maryland Office of Tourism partnered with 101.9 Lite FM Radio on a promotional campaign to increase awareness of Maryland as a world class destination and encourage local travelers to experience all that Maryland has to offer. Listeners were given daily opportunities to win prizes featuring Maryland hotels, restaurants and attractions. Additionally, Maryland’s 13 Welcome Centers coordinated with local tourism partners to greet travelers while providing literature on regional and statewide highlights.

International journalists experience a wild adventure
Journalists from the United Kingdom learned first hand what it’s like to explore the mountains of Western Maryland. On a FAM tour hosted in partnership with the Office of Tourism and Capital Region USA, top editors from Britain and Scotland experienced rock climbing and rappelling in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, learned the art of fly fishing in the Youghiogheny State Park and enjoyed water sports along Deep Creek Lake. The group toured downtown Cumberland, relaxed with spa treatments at Rocky Gap Resort and were welcomed by some of Western Maryland’s most enthusiastic travel ambassadors.

Maryland gears up for the Bicentennial of the War Of 1812
Tourists and residents in Maryland have long enjoyed visits to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, and other historic sites along the Star-Spangled Banner Trail Driving Tour. People come to discover how “the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there . . .” Soon these cultural treasures will gain greater attention as an International Historic Sites 1812 Bicentennial Committee prepares to celebrate the 200th anniversary of our fledgling nation’s successful test of its new independence from Britain.

VisitMaryland.org has new manager and direction
Maryland's own Lucy Chittenden joins OTD as Web Marketing Manager. Lucy brings a wealth of experience, having managed all aspects of the web site for the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA) for the past six years. Under Lucy's direction, the Office of Tourism Development will develop a new look and feel for the visitmaryland.org web site. Lucy will manage all facets of the interactive and web-based initiatives for the site, including strategic planning, sales tools, search engine optimization programs and on-line marketing campaigns.

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MARKETING CALENDAR


Maryland Tourism's Sales Team prepares to hit the road: Upcoming marketing opportunities

Please contact Rich Gilbert with any questions regarding the sales and marketing opportunities at 410-767-6288 or rgilbert@mdwelcome.org.

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FILM SHORTS

Maryland Film Office director serves as judge in Bosnia
MFO Director Jack Gerbes was in Bosnia June 5-11 serving as a juror at the Kratkofil Film Festival. The U.S. State Department sponsored the trip. The Director has been asked by various government officials to advise them on establishing and successfully operating a Film Commission. Other jurors and panelists consist of film directors and producers from European countries including the UK.

SILVERDOCS takes action in Silver Spring
SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival, an international film festival celebrating the creative vision of independent filmmakers and the power of documentary to expand our world-view and enhance our understanding of the world around us is being held at the AFI Theater in Silver Spring, June 12-17. Now in its fifth year, SILVERDOCS has become the most talked about documentary festival in the United States. For more information visit, http://www.silverdocs.com/.

Critics find "The Wire" electrifying
In its fifth and final season, the HBO television series The Wire is nominated as best program of the year and best drama by the Television Critics Association. The Television Critics Association (or TCA) is a group of approximately 200 United States and Canadian journalists and columnists who cover television programming. The organization sponsors the TCA Awards, honoring television excellence in 11 categories, which are presented every summer. Fox network’s American Idol and NBC’s Heroes are among this year's competitors.

In the news: Levinson calls for more film incentives in Maryland
Levinson calls for more film incentives in Maryland. In a June 10 interview with The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore-born filmmaker Barry Levinson lamented Maryland's loss of productions and called for the state to get back into the big-time funding game. He thinks Maryland shouldn’t have a funding cap and that Baltimore could become a production hub like Toronto if the right incentives were in place. "Maryland has a big advantage over a lot of states because it looks like a lot of different places. You have the coast and the inlands and the forests and rolling hills and a lot of different looks. If you go to certain parts of Baltimore it looks European. And you also have the crews." Read the full story...

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ARTS NEWS AND EVENTS

Arts community welcomes Secretary Edgerley
On Monday, June 11, more than 150 members of Maryland’s arts community gathered at the Walters Art Museum for a reception welcoming Maryland Business and Economic Development Secretary David Edgerley.  Hosted by Maryland Citizens for the Arts, a statewide advocacy organization, and featuring members of the Maryland State Arts Council, the audience had a chance to learn about the Secretary’s experience and enthusiasm for the arts.  

MSAC launches 40th anniversary with Individual Artist Awards. 
On Tuesday, June 19, the Maryland State Arts Council kicks off a year of special events and activities commemorating their 40th Anniversary with the Individual Artist Awards at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in College Park. The program will include remarks by Secretary Edgerley, performances by artist awardees, recognition of all recipients and a ceremonial cutting of MSAC’s 40th anniversary cake. RSVP to MSAC at msac@msac.org or 410-767-6555. Read the full story...

Arts Council welcomes new staff
Two appointments to the MSAC professional staff were recently announced. Elizabeth M. Carven has been appointed Deputy Director of MSAC. In this capacity she will administer the Arts and Entertainment Districts program, manage the new Maryland Cultural Data Project, and assist in the overall direction of agency programs. Ms. Carven joined the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development in April 2003 where she served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Division of Tourism, Film and the Arts.

Sharon Blake joins the staff as Program Director for Theater and Dance, and Accessibility Coordinator. She brings with her eight years of grant making experience in the arts at the national and state levels. Ms. Blake comes to us from the Georgia Council for the Arts where she served as Grants Director and administered grants in four areas including: arts service, community arts development, arts education and traditional arts.  Read the full story...

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