Mission Statement
Our Mission
Visit Baltimore is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit that generates economic benefits for the region by marketing Baltimore as an engaging cultural destination for visitors, an ideal destination for meetings and conventions, and as an advocate for the local tourism community. We also work to develop the next generation of hospitality leaders through the Visit Baltimore Education and Training Foundation.
What We Do
Visit Baltimore is the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Baltimore. In this role, we:
- Inspire people to visit our great destination and to experience the products and services offered by our stakeholders.
- Generate economic benefits for the greater Baltimore region through the power of collaboration and partnership.
- Serve as the liaison between members, customer and stakeholders.
- Provide stakeholders with the necessary tools and information to make their products and services competitive in the marketplace.
Who We Serve
- Members of the tourism industry such as hotels, restaurants and attractions.
- Customers such as meeting planners, tour operators, individual tourists and media.
- Stakeholders including government, citizens and member organizations. Member organizations represented include lodging, dining, arts, attractions, shopping, transportation, associations and government agencies.
Visit Baltimore Leadership Team
Al HutchinsonPresident & CEO |
Charles H. Jeffers IIChief Operating Officer |
Sarah SchafferChief Marketing Officer |
Craig D. VayVP of Finance & Administration |
Bon WhitingVP of Membership & Development |
Dustin ArnheimVP of Convention Sales & Services |
Directors of the Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board
Charles G. “Chuck” Tildon, IIIBoard Chair VP External Affairs University of Maryland Medical System |
|
Margot AmeliaSenior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer National Aquarium |
Jerry EdwardsPresident and Corporate Chef Chef’s Expression |
Shawn KingDirector of Design OUR HOUSE, Under Armour |
Chris MadooGeneral Manager Renaissance Harborplace Hotel |
Rob ArthurGeneral Manager The Ivy Hotel |
Vanessa A. FinneyPresident Quercus Management Executive Vice President Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show |
Greg BaderSenior VP, Administration & Experience Baltimore Orioles |
Tony ForemanOwner Foreman Wolf |
Donna MarquezGeneral Manager Hyatt Regency Baltimore |
Dr. Redonda MillerPresident The Johns Hopkins Hospital |
Michael BarrettRegional Vice President Centerplate |
Kirby FowlerPresident & CEO The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore |
Firkremariam BoghossianDean, Earl G. Graves School of Morgan State University |
Michael FrenzExecutive Director Maryland Stadium Authority |
Eleni MoniosGroup VP & Mid-Atlantic Market Manager M&T Bank |
Frank RemeschGeneral Manager Royal Farms Arena |
Greg BrownGeneral Manager Hilton Baltimore |
Donald FryPresident and CEO Greater Baltimore Committee |
Randall ConroySenior VP & General Manger Horseshoe Casino |
Bob HaislipGeneral Manager Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore |
Onahlea ShimunekGeneral Manager Lord Baltimore Hotel |
Alex SmithOwner Atlas Restaurant Group |
Jason CurtisGeneral Manager Hotel Indigo Baltimore Downtown |
Delegate Keith Haynes44th District |
Peggy DaidakisExecutive Director Baltimore Convention Center |
J. Howard HendersonPrincipal Henderson Advisory Group LLC |
Ricky SmithExecutive Director/CEO Maryland Department of Transportation |
Marcus StephensEVP of Brand Marketing Sagamore Spirit |
Shelonda StokesPresident & CEO Downtown Partnership of Baltimore |
Al HutchinsonPresident & CEO Visit Baltimore |
Terry DonahueGeneral Manager Marriott Waterfront Hotel |
Ted JabaraManaging Director Harbor Magic Hotels Pier 5 Hotel – Admiral Fell Inn Inn at Henderson’s Wharf |
Colin TarbertPresident & CEO Baltimore Development Corporation |
John FrischPrincipal and Executive Leadership Coach Shawan Leadership, LLC |
Wanda DraperCommunity Leader |
Donte JohnsonGeneral Manager Hotel Revival |
Juan WebsterGeneral Manager Montage International – Sagamore Pendry Baltimore |
Ex Officio Members
Barry GlassmanHarford County Executive |
Johnny Olszewski, Jr.Baltimore County Executive |
Steuart Pittman, Jr.Anne Arundel County Executive |
Stephen WantzCarroll County Commissioner |
Council
Steve BersWhiteford, Taylor & Preston |
Elena DiPietroChief Solicitor, General Counsel Baltimore City Law Department |
Board of Directors Meeting Dates
Meetings of the Board of Directors of the Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board:
March 17, 2021
June 16, 2021
December 1, 2021
Unless otherwise noted, all board meetings are on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Currently meetings are being held via Zoom.
If you need additional information, please contact Deborah Ivory, Board Administrator, at 410-659-8340 or [email protected].
Board meetings may occasionally be closed if and as permitted in accordance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act.
Our Impact
At Visit Baltimore, we know that when people explore our neighborhoods, eat at an outstanding restaurant, stay at a world-class hotel, or get a taste of our booming arts scene, they see our city in a new light. This enthusiasm for Baltimore translates into small business sales, tax revenue, job creation, positive media attention and even a strong real estate market.
Here are just some of the recent examples of the impact we have had in recent years:
- Jobs: In 2018, tourism sustained 86,414 jobs in the Baltimore region, both directly and indirectly
- Small business sales: Tourism generated $10.7 billion in total business sales in 2018. More than half of all visitor spending (51%) goes to lodging, food and beverages.
- Tax revenue: Baltimore’s tourism industry generated $734 million in State and City tax revenue in 2018 ($428 million in state revenue; $306 million in city revenue.)
- Workforce development: Through the work of the Visit Baltimore Education and Training Foundation, our industry is training the next generation of hospitality workers. Since 2015, our nonprofit 501c (3) foundation has awarded more than 40,000 in scholarships to support higher education and professional development.
If you’d like to see some of the examples of the positive press Visit Baltimore has earned, please visit our Baltimore Spotlight page.
Annual Reports
To learn more about our impact, view the latest addition of our annual report below, or click here.
Advocacy & Community Engagement
Learn more about what Visit Baltimore is doing for the community and the value of tourism.