Connecting Baltimore ’ s Key Industries
One of our core values at Visit Baltimore is to empower collaboration , and one way we do so is by bringing our destination partners together for networking , delicious food and fellowship . Quarterly “ CONNECT ” events , put on with the support of local catering and venue partners , are opportunities for Baltimore hospitality workers , creators and business owners to meet face-to-face and discover opportunities for crosscollaboration . Visit Baltimore hosted three Connect events in FY23 :
• Summer 2022 at the Visitor Center in partnership with Eleven Courses Catering
• Winter 2023 at the newly renovated Lexington Market
• Spring 2023 onboard Watermark ’ s The Raven in celebration of National Travel & Tourism Week
EDUCATION & TRAINING FOUNDATION
INTRODUCING TOURISM AS A CAREER OPPORTUNITY
The Visit Baltimore Education & Training Foundation board hosted a Hospitality Summit to strengthen relationships with college and high school level students . In collaboration with Baltimore City Public Schools and Morgan State University , the summit introduced local high school seniors to career pathways in the hospitality industry and academic degree programs .
“ Connecting local youth to career paths in their own backyard is essential to strengthening Baltimore ’ s workforce and the prosperity of our tourism and residential community alike ,” said Mia Blom , executive director for Visit Baltimore ’ s Education and Training Foundation . “ We are grateful for Morgan State University and Baltimore City Public School ’ s partnership and hope that this hospitality summit will both educate and inspire .”
WELCOME
WARM
WE EMBRACE EVERYONE
CONTINUING TO ADVANCE OUR DEI EFFORTS
This year , Visit Baltimore launched a new video module as part of its Warm Welcome program , which educates the hospitality industry on the evolving field of diversity , equity and inclusion ( DEI ). The video “ Beyond Conversations about Race and Equity ,” expands on the first Visit Baltimore Warm Welcome module , which was created to encourage the hospitality community to engage in productive discussion about race and bias . The training covers topics including intersectionality , Bloom ’ s taxonomy and the ally continuum and shares recommended next steps in expanding on the areas of justice , diversity , equity and inclusion . The training is presented by well-respected DEI expert Dr . Karsonya “ Kaye ” Wise Whitehead , founding director of The Karson Institute for Race , Peace & Social Justice on the campus of Loyola University Maryland and host of “ Today with Dr . Kaye ” on WEAA 88.9 FM . Visit Baltimore . org / Warm-Welcome to sign the pledge .
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