Industry Issues

DOES TOURISM MARKETING AND ADVERTISING
MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU?

Then, it is imperative that you read further….
 
Last year because of strong industry lobbying efforts, the Maryland General Assembly fully funded the $6 million mandate for the Maryland Tourism Development Board to market the State’s tourism product/industry.
 
Subsequently, due to the much publicized budget shortfall, the Board of Public Works continually attacked the Tourism Board’s funds, and that budget now stands at  $2.7 M, the lowest amount of marketing dollars for tourism since the early 80’s.
 
The Governor is mandated by law to include $6M for the Tourism Development Board to use for marketing and advertising tourism, but the Legislature can cut that budget request. We must ensure that our Representatives in Annapolis know how important these marketing dollars are to the industry.  While you all spend money marketing your own businesses, it is left to the Maryland Office of Tourism to market the State’s many tourism assets.  If they don’t have the money to do it, who will?
 
SO, we need you to give us your time on February 5, 2010, Tourism Day in Annapolis.
 
The Maryland Tourism Council and the Maryland Destination Marketing Organization have teamed up and are co-sponsoring a day of meeting with legislators to educate them about the importance of tourism to the economy of the State and the impact marketing the State has on the industry.  In addition, we will have a number of educational speakers to bring us up to date on a number of issues. See the attached agenda for details.
 
If you have not heard from your County Tourism Officer or your CVB about participating in Tourism Day, but would like to attend, please open and complete the registration form below and email or fax it to MTC.  The day is free to all participants, but we would like to ensure that we have a name badge for you, so we strongly encourage you to sign up.

Please don’t assume that “someone else” will carry the message.  We need you to attend and talk to YOUR legislator.
 
 Mary Jo McCulloch                    Wini Roche 
 President and CEO                   Legislative Chairman  
 Maryland Tourism Council         Maryland Destination Marketing Organizations