Perhaps impervious to the economic downturn, Baltimore and the surrounding areas have been growing like gangbusters.
Among the highlights of the resurgence are the celebration of an important anniversary, two new large-scale trade shows and the opening of a luxury hotel in East Harbor, Baltimore’s trendiest area. Meanwhile, Annapolis features a new transportation option and renovated facilities, Ocean City is about to unveil an expanded convention center, and there are upgraded accommodations across Talbot County.
Baltimore
This year marks the bicentennial of the War of 1812, in which the city’s Fort McHenry was instrumental in the nation’s defense. In time for the occasion, a new—and very inspiring—visitor’s center has opened at the fort. The window to history also provides an ideal spot for group functions, according to Tom Noonan, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore.
“We can host special events there for thousands of people,” he says. “The fort and its new interpretative center tell the story better than the old building did.”
The city will celebrate the bicentennial over the next three years with numerous events that groups may want to tie into their event, where possible. Festivities will kick off with Sailabration, a week-long festival from June 13-19 featuring public tours of the ships, waterside events and an air show.
“For planners who haven’t selected a location for 2012 to 2014, and groups with ties to history or their own historic commemorations over the three-year commemoration, or for education groups, it’s a great time to meet in Baltimore and take advantage of the exhibitions that will be available across town,” Noonan says.PageBreak
One event that hopes to do just that is AIBTM, which starts on the last day of Sailabration.
“We’ll plan something together, if possible,” says Steve Knight, project director for AIBTM, a trade show that pairs hosted meeting buyers from around the world with more than 900 supplier exhibitors.
Marking only its second year in B-More, AIBTM will feature more of a chance for attendees to explore the city this year, according to Knight.
“The first night this year will be an open evening when suppliers can have events around town,” he says. “And both the welcome reception and a hosted buyer reception will be in new venues this year.”
Those functions were at the Baltimore Convention Center and the Maryland Science Center, respectively, last year.
The group found much to enjoy about the city, according to Knight.
“When we were in town, everyone knew and got behind it,” he says. “We weren’t one of 10 other events going on, we felt like we owned Baltimore for several days, and that was great.”
Another group headed for the city in the near future is the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). The event is a result of a partnership Baltimore has with other destinations.
Baltimore, Salt Lake City and Fort Worth jointly sell their cities to groups seeking destinations of their size in various regions of the country.
The arrangement is advantageous for planners, according to SAGES Executive Director Sallie Matthews, who was already considering both destinations when she learned of the partnership.
“It was a delightful surprise because we’d already decided the cities were competitive but there was an added booking incentive for signing on with both at the same time,” she says. “[The partnership] sealed the deal because I knew they’d be talking to each other and if one had an idea about the contract, they could tell the other destination. It definitely made the contracting process a more positive experience.”
PageBreakMeanwhile, there’s been a shift in hotel inventory around town, according to Noonan.
“Over the last few years, we have added 2,500 rooms downtown,” he says. “This includes a headquarters hotel, the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, and Hotel Monaco Baltimore, a Kimpton Hotel, while much of the product has been renovated. We’re really in a place to shine right now.”
Also new on the scene is the 256-room Four Seasons Baltimore, which debuted last fall. The newest property in the brand features 20,600 square feet of meeting space and sits in trendy Harbor East.
The city’s major group properties, which are connected to the convention center via walkways, include the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel, Hyatt Regency Baltimore and the Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel.
Annapolis/Anne Arundel County
Not only is there more to see and do here now—and upgraded places to sleep after you explore—a new bus system has made it easier to get around town.
The City Circulator costs just $5 for an entire day of rides. It takes visitors downtown and has 15 stops in all, including the city’s four parking lots. A free trolley is also available.
There’s just one problem with offering these modes of transportation, notes Connie Del Signore, president and CEO of the Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Conference & Visitors Bureau.
“Annapolis is such a beautiful walking city,” she says. “As you’re walking, there are shops and Irish pubs to pop into, and we have 36 art galleries, so you’re entertained the whole way.”
There also are great places to sleep and meet. The Loews Annapolis is undergoing a multimillion-dollar restoration of its lobby and restaurant. Slated for completion by June, the new restaurant and bar will be a tavern-like spot. It will feature 130 inside seats and 30 outdoor seats, including a private dining room that could host a small meeting, as well as a chef’s table. Cuisine will draw from influences of the Chesapeake Bay region.
Maryland Live! Casino is opening this June next to Arudenel Mills Mall, near BWI Airport. The $500 million multiuse complex, spanning 12 acres, will include 4,750 slot machines and electronic table games, nationally acclaimed restaurants, an entertainment venue and more.
“We have over 72 hotels in Arundel County, and they’re brands that people know, such as Westin, Hilton and Marriott, as well as inns and bed-and-breakfasts for small groups to take over,” Del Signore says. “We’re thought of as a charming and sophisticated yet casual waterfront community, so I think people are surprised by the quality of our accommodations. And now, every one of our full-service hotels is right next to great shopping, dining and entertainment, so they’re all great spots for planners.”
Some tried and true properties are on tap, too. Among these are the Historic Inns of Annapolis, a trio of hotels that is within walking distance of the city’s top attractions. The lineup includes The Maryland Inn, Governor Calvert House and Robert Johnson House.
South of the city sits Chesapeake, a waterfront town between Baltimore and D.C., where the Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa is a popular choice for groups. The property features 72 guest rooms and sizeable meeting space. PageBreak
Eastern and Atlantic Shores
On the other side of the Chesapeake Bay is Talbot County, where numerous hotel improvements are taking shape.
“Talbot County’s newly renovated properties—whether the location is waterfront or our historic downtown—offer intimate yet sophisticated lodging experiences for business and leisure travelers,” says Debbi Dodson, tourism director for Talbot County.
The properties here are small, but they include meeting space and offer cozy environs for groups.
Following expenditures of over $4 million, the Tidewater Inn has completed renovations of its 97 guest rooms, public space and meeting facilities, which span more than 7,000 square feet.
“We can feel gracious hospitality that has been practiced for so many years throughout this wonderful building,” says John Wilson, owner of the inn. “With these modern renovations, the Tidewater will continue offering the same exceptional service.”
A facelift is taking place at The Inn at Perry Cabin.
A $3 million upgrade is under way in the hotel’s colonial section, where 40 guest rooms are being completely renovated, while the property’s library and Morning Room—both of which are available for guests to relax and enjoy afternoon tea—are being redone.
“It’s like a whole new product,” says Brian M. Plaska, director of sales and marketing at the property.
The inn features 5,000 square feet of meeting space.
Meanwhile, St. Michaels Harbor Inn, Marina and Spa is being renovated. The resort, featuring 46 spacious waterfront suites and guest rooms, is remodeling its meeting rooms, lounge and restaurant. The property boasts 2,100 square feet of meeting space, a 52-slip marina and a harborside pool and spa.
“Our updates, combined with our location, will make St. Michaels Harbour Inn the go-to property for groups,” says Dolores Jones, sales manager at the property.
Nearby on the banks of the Choptank River is the town of Cambridge, where the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa & Marina hosts groups. The 400-room hotel boasts 35,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space.
Farther south in Wicomico County, a unique meeting and event venue is available: the Holly Ridge Farm Equestrian Center. The farm offers extensive trail riding, survival training, riding lessons and the only mustang (wild horse) tour in Maryland. The 194-acre facility boasts an indoor arena, wooded trails, two stables and a new activities center.
Wicomico’s main meeting venue is the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center, a multipurpose complex that includes a 6,500-seat arena, a secondary 10,000-square-foot arena, 30,000 square feet of event space and 12 breakout rooms.
On the Atlantic shore, the big story in Ocean City is a major restoration and expansion of the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, which is adding 14,000 square feet of exhibit space, as well as renovating and expanding its Grand Ballroom by 18,000 square feet. All of the new space will be entirely glass-walled, giving groups views of the coastal bays. The expansion is scheduled for completion this fall.
“This will allow existing clients to grow to their potential, and we’re hoping it will give us the ability to host multiple groups at once,” says Fred Wise, director of sales at the facility.
Along Ocean City’s 10-mile beachfront, a number of hotels offer meeting and conference space. Hilton Suites Ocean City Oceanfront, one of Ocean City’s newest all-suite hotels, features 225 suites and 1,100 square feet of meeting space.
Other meetings properties in Ocean City include the Princess Royale Family Resort & Condominiums, the Holiday Inn Oceanfront, the Dunes Manor Hotel, the Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel and the Carousel Resort Hotel, which has an indoor ice-skating rink that can be used for a function.
A unique venue is Trimper’s Amusement Park on the Boardwalk, where groups can meet around the country’s oldest carousel that is still in operation. Another unusual location is the Jolly Roger Amusement Park, with a water park, go-cart attraction and a zip line.
