Strongholds in Six Critical Industries
Baltimore is a city filled with innovators, entrepreneurs and changemakers, so it’s no surprise that we’re ranked in the top five on Forbes’ list of best cities for startups or that we’ve received more than one billion dollars in capital investment in recent years. Over the years, we’ve developed strongholds in six key industries—higher education, healthcare, cybersecurity and technology, defense contracting, finance and sports—meaning we’ve amassed a rich intellectual capital from which you can pull for your events. For example, medical conferences might want to feature guest speakers from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine while sports leagues can look to the Baltimore Ravens or Orioles for behind-the-scenes access and inspiring venues. Our customer experience team can connect you with key industry contacts and academic resources to attract attendees to your event and help arrange partnerships with local institutions. Keep reading to learn more about Baltimore’s key industries.
HIGHER EDUCATION
- Home to 15 four-year institutions and seven two-year institutions.
- Johns Hopkins ranked the eighth best university in the country and 12th on the list of Best Global Universities.
- MICA ranked the ninth best art school in the country.
- Home to two historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs): Morgan State University and Coppin State University.
HEALTHCARE & BIOSCIENCE
- Home to CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield’s regional headquarters and the federal government’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
- Receives more R&D dollars per worker than any other state.
- Site of the world’s first Shock Trauma Center at The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).
- Employ 20% of the world’s top influencers in vaccine development.
TECH, CYBERSECURITY & IT
- Home to nine Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.
- Proud to host the top science and technology workforce in the country, the nation’s fastest internet and the highest density of computer science R&D dollars.
Government & DEFENSE CONTRACTING
- Maryland ranked #5 in total defense spending and #1 in grant spending per capita.
- Maryland defense spending per resident is more than double the national average.
- Nearby Fort Meade is the state’s biggest employer.
- Maryland has over 20 military facilities.
- Fifteen of the nation’s top 20 aerospace companies are based in Maryland.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
- Home to more than 8,300 financial services firms, including powerhouses such as CareFirst and T. Rowe Price, which is building a new 450,000 sq ft headquarters in Harbor Point.
- Statewide, 8,380 financial services firms employ nearly 92,000 workers and generate $20.7 billion.
SPORTS
- Hosted the 2021 BMW Championship, one of the most important golf events on the PGA TOUR.
- Home to many national and world sporting events, including the UCI World Classic Series cycling race, the USA Lacrosse Convention, the Maryland Cycling Classic, AAU Junior Olympics and the Preakness Stakes.
- Hosting the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament through 2025.
- More than $150 million in economic impact generated by the Baltimore Ravens football team each year.
