Visit Baltimore Annual Report FY2022 2022 | Page 33

PEOPLE FIRST

Visit Baltimore continues to connect and collaborate with the community through efforts to support workforce development , promote the value of the hospitality industry and strengthen diversity , equity and inclusion in Baltimore .

Introducing the Data Analytics Fellowship

Visit Baltimore ’ s commitment to diversity , equity and inclusion is a consistent part of our work to move the tourism industry forward with purpose and build a pipeline for BIPOC talent . In 2022 , we launched a new 600-hour paid Data Analytics Fellowship , sponsored by travel data experts , Tourism Economics . The fellowship offers talented college students with diverse backgrounds firsthand experience working in the data , technology and business intelligence sector within the destination marketing community . The selected fellows work with the Visit Baltimore and Tourism Economics teams , and are provided training and professional development opportunities through academic seminars and in-depth research and analysis projects .
For the inaugural year , Maggie Williams was selected as the first Data Analytics Fellow . Maggie is a Baltimore native studying physics at the University of Maryland Baltimore County ( UMBC ). She previously held an internship at WC Smith & Co ., an accounting firm based in Washington , DC . At UMBC , Williams is Vice President of the university ’ s American Sign Language ( ASL ) club and sang and arranged music for its all-female acapella group , The Stilettos . Through the Data Analytics Fellowship program , Williams enjoyed exploring the data behind how the tourism industry works and seeing what makes a good city a great place for visitors .
“ Visit Baltimore offered an amazing opportunity to peek behind the curtain and understand all the moving parts of the city . I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent working closely with my mentors and building up my skills to confidently enter the workforce . Great experience overall !”
MAGGIE WILLIAMS
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 31