“Every year, travel and tourism businesses throughout Maryland create and support thousands of jobs in hotels, restaurants and attractions,” said Gov. Martin O'Malley in a statement preceding the event. “These businesses fuel a $14.5 billion industry in the state.”

Maryland’s Office of Tourism hosted the Inner Harbor event and unveiled its spring and summer advertising campaign. The new Land of… campaign spotlights a variety of concepts that visitors can associate with Maryland – fun, adventure and romance, for instance. “Our message calls attention to the many reasons for visiting Maryland,” said Margot Amelia, executive director of the tourism office. “Indeed, Maryland has something for everyone.”

More than 29 million travelers visited Maryland in 2009, according to D.K. Shifflet and Associates, a prominent travel and tourism research firm. The total number of visitor trips in the state was up 3.5 percent over 2008. Leisure trips were up 5.2 percent and day trips were up 4.9 percent – both categories ahead of national trends. Business travel stayed nearly level with 2008 figures.

New reports also show that Maryland received $36 in state sales-tax revenue for every dollar it invested in tourism funding. Also, small and family-owned enterprises represent 95 percent of tourism-related businesses.

Charter-boat captains offer fishing, sightseeing
Captain John Smith – in the early 1600s – spent a few years getting to know the Chesapeake Bay. Today, it's much easier to arrange a bay expedition when you hire a Maryland charter-boat captain. These captains are recognized authorities when it comes to the bay, boating and fishing.

“Charter boats play an important role in Maryland's robust tourism industry and contribute greatly to the enjoyment of Maryland's waterways, especially our crown jewel – the Chesapeake Bay,” said Gov. Martin O'Malley. “Charter-boat captains are representative of the many small business owners that make up 95 percent of tourism-industry enterprises.”

With this in mind, the Office of Tourism has designated May as a time to highlight local charter operations through its Maryland Spotlight campaign – a monthly promotion that focuses on distinctive aspects of tourism in the state.

As the fishing season heats up, Margot Amelia, executive director of the tourism office, says: “Let a charter captain be your guide. They're the experts who can help you get the most out of your fishing trip – whether it's on the bay or along Maryland's Atlantic seacoast. Charter captains can also arrange cruises for sightseeing, exploring waterfront villages or visiting lighthouses,” she adds. “With 7,000 miles of Maryland coastline, there's always an adventure within reach.”

MSAC web site gets new design
Take a look at the Arts Council's new web site – www.MSAC.org. It was re-designed to be more visually compelling and more accessible to the general public. The site now focuses additional attention on key programs and categories, such as County Arts Councils, Maryland Traditions, Arts in Education, and Arts and Entertainment Districts.

You will also find more images of artists, performers and arts-related activities. One of the primary goals of the Arts Council's five-year strategic plan, Imagine Maryland – adopted in 2009 – was to enhance communication and marketing efforts. The new web site is one outcome of those efforts.

Winner of RAM contest places second at nationals
A high-school hospitality-management team from Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Baltimore County was the second-place winner at the National ProStart Invitational, held in Overland Park, Kan., May 2. Teams from 32 high schools across the U.S. competed by creating business proposals for new restaurants – each with a defining concept, supporting menu and related marketing plan.

Team members Thomas Burch, Timothy Ayd, Tanisha Wells, Eric Epstein and Elly Girbach each received a $3,000 scholarship from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and the Coca Cola Company. This was in addition to the $500 scholarships that each member received from McCormick & Company and Whole Foods Market for winning the state competition, which was presented by the Restaurant Association of Maryland Education Foundation.

Irish production of Civil War film comes to Wash. County
An Irish film-production company is filming a Civil War docu-drama in Hagerstown and Washington County about the Irish Brigade – a group of Irish immigrants who served in the Union Army. The production is being made for the Smithsonian Institution's TV network, the Smithsonian Channel. It's called Fg an Bealach, which is Old Gaelic for Clear the Way – the Irish Brigade's battle cry.

The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has been working closely with the production company, Tile Films, in recent months, says Tom Riford, president and CEO of the CVB.

“Washington County has always been an extremely friendly environment for filmmakers,” said Jack Gerbes, director of the Maryland Film Office. “The folks in that region are very accommodating to film crews.”

WBAL Radio talks to Margot Amelia about new tourism campaign

N.Y. Times : Maryland's Civil War Country seeks a softer side

Baltimore approves Grand Prix plan; event expected in Aug. 2011

Two top European soccer teams to play July 31 in Baltimore

Baltimore to launch smile-themed marketing campaign

State music venues recovering from recession

Preakness Parade plans Pratt Street route
Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee will be grand marshal of this year's Preakness Parade of Lights, Friday, May 14, starting at 8:30 p.m. in downtown Baltimore. The parade features marching bands, illuminated floats and equestrian units. Pimlico Racetrack hosts the 135th running of the Preakness Stakes – middle jewel of Thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown – Saturday, May 15. Check online for information about Preakness events.

Audio fans await weekend of shows, workshops, events
For those who work or dabble in DIY (do-it-yourself) audio, the Megapolis Festival is a not-to-be missed weekend celebration of the craft that runs at a variety of Baltimore venues, May 14-16. Artists, documentarians, musicians and audio enthusiasts come together to share their secrets for producing and presenting audio works online, on-air and on the stage. Tickets online.

Get up-close look at a Baltimore art form
Baltimore's Creative Alliance presents a Painted Screen Pilgrimage, Saturday, May 15. Elaine Eff, folklorist and painted-screen authority, provides a guided tour through Southeast Baltimore, from Little Bohemia to Fells Point. For information and tickets, call 410-276-1651, or visit the Painted Screens Society of Baltimore web site.

Individual Artist Awards reception honors 98 artists
Celebrate the Maryland artists who have won the Maryland State Arts Council's 2010 Individual Artist Awards, May 20 at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, starting at 6:30 p.m. Categories for this year's awards are: digital/electronic arts; media; painting; solo dance performance; solo musical performance; solo theatrical performance; and works on paper. The Arts Council will distribute $250,000 in grants to the winning artists. Reception is free and open to public. RSVP at 410-767-6555 or online.

Enjoy evening of Latino art, music and wine
Hispanic Business Foundation of Maryland hosts a benefit for its Partnership Youth Initiative, Friday, June 4, 7-10 p.m., at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. Colores, a Gallery Night features an exhibition and sale of artwork by six Latino artists, live musical entertainment, wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction of the artwork. Call Rosalinda Delgado, 301-654-4000, ext. 226, for information. This event is the result of the Maryland State Arts Council's Latino Roundtable held in January.

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