If you ’ re looking to bring some independent cool to your next event , Baltimore is the place to be . As a hub for makers of all sorts , this city is rich with artists , vendors and retailers who can help create a truly one-of-akind visit for your guests . And that ’ s where we come in — at Visit Baltimore , our customer experience team works closely with meeting professionals to infuse events with local flavor , connecting groups with Baltimore makers and coordinating logistics to bring that Charm City experience right to attendees .
Here ’ s one way it ’ s been done : For the Destinations International Annual Convention last July , Visit Baltimore curated a “ Makers Row ” pop-up shop that included local independent creators such as KSM Candle Co , Drama MaMa Bookshop , B . Willow plant shop and the Globe Poster Shop at MICA , alongside street jazz performances and lemon stick treats ( a Baltimore tradition !).
Read on to hear a bit about how one local vendor — Brittany Wight , owner of Wight Tea Company — works with visiting groups . Then get in touch to start planning a custom experience of your own !
What kind of experience did you create for guests during Destinations International ?
We created a welcoming , peaceful experience for guests as they walked through the hotel lobby . We made sure to greet customers , welcome them to our city and ask them about their stay — even offering suggestions on great places to grab dinner or a cocktail in the area . We sampled our delicious blends for those who were interested and passed out information about our shop .
Tell us about some of the custom activations you can provide for group meetings and events .
For group events , Wight Tea Company can provide simple to more elaborate tea services . We often are contracted to provide tea for morning meetings and events with brewed carafes of tea , as well as welcome or thank you sampler bags of tea for conference or panel guests and attendees . We can also provide larger , more experiential services like afternoon tea or teainfused cocktails and bartending .
What do you love about being a maker in Baltimore ?
Baltimore has such a supportive and positive community , whether it ’ s other businesses working together to make sure we all succeed or local invested shoppers who want the best for their city and want to see locally owned businesses thrive . VB
GLENWOOD JACKSON
Local vendors set up shop in the lobby of the Hilton during Destinations International ’ s annual convention .
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