Reflections on FY21
Reflecting on this past fiscal year , we are incredibly proud of the work Visit Baltimore accomplished in the face of many challenges . June 2020 began with an intense convergence of the coronavirus pandemic and a global reckoning with racial injustice . Despite significant staff and budget losses , our team rose to the occasion delivering award-winning marketing campaigns , pioneering new DEI initiatives and forming purpose-led partnerships to jumpstart our recovery .
While tourism in Baltimore dropped by 22 % ( compared to a steady rise the past five years ), travelers emerged with a newfound interest in backyard and nearby destinations . As vaccinations rolled out and the weather warmed up , Visit Baltimore moved forward with a full unveiling of our rebrand and new marketing campaign , with the needed adjustments to prioritize public health and safe visitation . Receiving CARES Act funds from the City of Baltimore in late September supported an extension of the campaign . Titled “ We ’ re Ready ,” the work was produced in record time and showcased the resilience of our local hotels , restaurants , museums and attractions in keeping the destination top-of-mind for travelers . The hard work paid off , with the campaign securing Baltimore ’ s first-ever Mosaic ADDY Award for advertising that best represents a market ’ s diversity and multiculturalism .
With our diverse community and visitor audiences in mind , Visit Baltimore continued to demonstrate its commitment to listen , learn and lead in the space of diversity , equity and inclusion . We called on leaders in the business and civic community to put inclusion at the cornerstone of their work through DEI trainings led by Janese Murray , founder and president of Inclusion Impact Consulting , partnered with Guinness Open Gate Brewery to forge new pathways for emerging BIPOC leaders to enter the industry , and worked with Dr . Karsonya “ Kaye ” Wise Whitehead of The Karson Institute for Race , Peace & Social Justice to launch our new Warm Welcome program aimed at fostering an inclusive environment for all visitors .
We are starting to see tourism on the rise again , but recovery will take time . Luckily for us Baltimore is filled with remarkably creative and resilient people determined to see our city win . On page 16 we pay homage to one of those incredible individuals , founder and director of the American Visionary Art Museum Rebecca Hoffberger , the recipient of this year ’ s William Donald Shaefer Visionary Tourism Award .
Thank you for your support of Visit Baltimore and all that you do to advance the tourism and hospitality industry and tell a more inclusive and authentic Baltimore story . We look forward to our continued partnership in the year ahead .
MEET OUR NEW BOARD CHAIR
Charles G . “ Chuck ” Tildon , III has been a part of the Baltimore Tourism & Convention Board of Directors for more than ten years . At the start of 2021 he was installed as the board chair and he counts it as one of his favorite volunteer pursuits . Chuck was born and raised in Baltimore and is currently the VP of External Affairs for University of Maryland Medical System . We asked him a few questions to get to know him better .
What do you love most about the city of Baltimore ? I love the neighborhoods and the diversity of the people that live here . And I absolutely love the culture – the art scene , the music scene , the restaurant scene .
What ’ s your advice to the hospitality community as we continue to recover from the pandemic and look forward to brighter days ahead ? It would be an understatement to say this past year was a challenge , for the tourism industry and many others . Our whole dynamic has changed , but the hospitality industry should feel encouraged by the fact that Baltimore is still a destination ripe with opportunity . If we continue to tell our story and deliver excellent customer service , our best days are still ahead .
Al Hutchinson President & CEO
Charles G . “ Chuck ” Tildon , III Chairman , Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board of Directors
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