24th Annual Governor's Tourism Industry Conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Wendy Thomas, Watermark Director of Marketing
Phone: 410-268-7601 x 111, Email: wendy@watermarkjourney.com
Web Site: www.watermarkjourney.com
Mary Jo McCulloch, Maryland Tourism Council, (410) 974-4473,
Karen Glenn, Maryland DBED, (410) 767-6318
RECOGNIZES INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE
BALTIMORE, MD (October 20, 2004) – Recognizing excellence in
the Maryland tourism industry, 14 awards were presented during the
24th Annual Governor’s Tourism Industry Conference held
October 17-19 at the UMUC Inn and Conference Center on the campus of
University of Maryland. Sponsored by the Maryland Tourism Council,
Inc., the awards are given each year to honor outstanding tourism
industry professionals and recognize exceptional marketing
initiatives that attract visitors to Maryland.
More than 300 professionals attended the 2004 Maryland
Governor’s Tourism Industry Conference, with the theme “The
Tapestry of Maryland Tourism.” The conference was co-sponsored by
the Maryland Office of Tourism Development, a division of the
Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, and the
Maryland Tourism Council, the private sector trade association
representing Maryland’s tourism industry.
“This Conference is an excellent example of the cooperation
between the industry and the Maryland Office of Tourism, and it
affords Maryland’s tourism professionals an opportunity to learn
the latest techniques in tourism marketing, to network and form
cooperative promotional packages to attract tourists to our
beautiful and diverse State,” said Mary Jo McCulloch, President of
the Maryland Tourism Council.
The Tourism Person of the Year Award was presented to Ruth
Waters of Harrison Group Resort Hotels in Ocean City. This award is
given to an industry leader whose exceptional commitment has
significantly enhanced and perpetuated the tourism industry in
Maryland. Ms. Waters grew up in the hotel business and has been
involved in all of its functions, from sales and marketing to group
sales to general manager. In addition, she belongs to a number of
state and national tourism committees and boards and is a designated
Certified Hospitality Sales Professional by the American Hotel and
Lodging Association.
The Judges’ Award, which was presented for only
the sixth time in the 24-year history of the awards program, was
presented to Denise Konopacki of the Maryland Office of Tourism
Development. The award was given as a special tribute to recognize
Ms. Konopacki’s long service and dedication to the tourism
industry.
The New Professional of the Year Award, which is given to
an individual who has been in the industry for three years or less,
was presented to Noah Kegley of Watermark Cruises. Mr. Kegley, who
began working in the tourism industry in March 2003, has become
totally immersed in Maryland’s tourism industry and has forged
solid relationships with numerous tourism partners. He is actively
involved in tourism and business association and volunteers his time
to work with the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Convention and
Visitors Bureau on projects.
The Best Electronic Marketing Award, which celebrates the
most strategic, innovative and successful electronic marketing
initiative to attract visitors to Maryland, was presented to
Allegany County Tourism for its new website www.mdmountainside.com.
The Best New or Improved Event was presented to the
Chesapeake Chapter, U.S. Lighthouse Society for the 2004 Maryland
Lighthouse Challenge. The local tourism agencies that helped in
making the two-day event a success included the Baltimore Area
Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA), the Calvert County
Department of Economic Development, Cecil County Tourism, the
Harford County Tourism Council, the Prince George’s County
Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Talbot County Office of Tourism
and St. Mary’s County Tourism. The Lighthouse Challenge stretched
across seven counties attracted nearly 3,500 visitors who had to
visit all nine lighthouses along a designated route. At the
completion of the route, participants received a special completion
card.
The Impact Award was given to Garrett County for the 1884
Queen Anne Railroad Station Visitors Center and the Shoppe at
Heritage Square. This award recognizes an individual, business,
organization, group or coalition that has made a major impact with
an important industry project or product. With a $2.1 million
historic renovation of the historic train station, the site is now
open seven days a week and is staffed by two tourism specialists who
also work in the gift shop. The shop also now has 39 vendors, up
from nine, offering goods made in the region.
The Legislative Development and Public Awareness Award was
given to the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Convention and
Visitors Bureau for its 2004 National Tourism Week public awareness
campaign. The award is bestowed on a group or individual who has
successfully led legislative initiatives at any level of state,
county, or local government that benefit the tourism industry.
The Cooperative Promotion Award for an Integrated Campaign or
Continuing Program was presented to the Talbot County Office of
Tourism for its Connoisseur Destination program. The award is given
for promotions which incorporate a variety of marketing activities
of those that exist over a sustained period of time. The Talbot
County Office of Tourism was recognized for making incredible
strides in marketing the county’s dining venues to attract elite
connoisseur travelers. The Cooperative Promotion Award for a
One-Time Promotion was presented to the Calvert County
Department of Economic Development for its celebration of the
county’s 350th birthday. The celebration included
events throughout the year, a special website, a time capsule, a
Maryland Public Television Documentary, a parade, a festival and a
pageant.
The Best New Promotional Material Award was presented to
the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA) for
its African American Heritage and Attractions Guide. The award
recognizes the print publication, advertisement, newsletter,
brochure or map that uses the best strategy and implementation to
promote a tourism entity or activity. BACVA launched this new guide
as the cornerstone of an expanded African American marketing
campaign that drives home a strong message to traveling consumers
interested in American history and heritage. The guide highlights
the legends that made their mark on American history, while
embracing the new people and places that will influence future
generations.
The Global Marketing Award was presented to the Kunta
Kinte/Alex Haley Foundation for The Slavery Reconciliation Walk for
Penitence and Forgiveness. The award is given to the campaign,
initiative or program that has generated quantifiable results in
attracting out of state tourists to Maryland. The Slavery
Reconciliation Walk drew nearly 400 people from the United Kingdom,
the Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Togo, France, Grenada, Brazil, Canada and
from all over the United States and brought much international
attention to Maryland and Annapolis.
The Best New Product Award honors the year’s best new
tour, destination, program or promotion. This year’s award was
presented to the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation for “From Bridge to
Boardwalk: An Audio Journey Across Maryland’s Eastern Shore.”
The tour, which took years of research and fieldwork, brought
together local, regional and State agencies that promote the
cultural resources of the Eastern Shore. As a result, the Foundation
has made great strides in preserving, promoting and enhancing the
heritage of the Eastern Shore for today’s generations, as well as
those in the future.
In addition, two new awards were given this year.
The Best Shoestring Budget Creative Idea Award was
presented to Cecil County Tourism for its “Escape to the
Country” television commercial production. While most television
commercials can significantly impact a budget, Cecil County tourism
found a local company willing to work within their budget to create
a great product. Cecil County also scripted and produced the
production plan and used photography instead of a lot of verbiage to
convey the sites and sounds of the county. After the commercial ran
for the first time, visits to Cecil County Tourism’s website
increased by more than 50 percent.
The Best New Visitors Guide Award was presented to
Worcester County for its “Worcester…Maryland’s only Seaside
County Beach & Beyond Visitors Guide. The guide includes a
county map, outdoor recreation opportunities including canoe and
kayak trails, hiking trails, fishing, cycling, public boat ramps,
golfing, bed and breakfasts, museums, parks and camping, special
events, towns and African American heritage sites. More than 30,000
were distributed throughout the state.
Tourism is one of Maryland’s fastest growing industries and
largest economic generators. In 2003, more than 20 million people
visited Maryland. In 2002, the most recent year for which financial
figures are available, visitors generated an estimated $8.8 billion
in tourist expenditures. In that year, the Maryland tourism industry
generated more than $745 million in state and local taxes and
provided more than 110,000 jobs to Maryland residents.
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