| BALTIMORE, MD Thu, Jun 26, 2008 Governor Martin O’Malley has announced the confirmation of four appointments to the Maryland Tourism Development Board, effective July 1. The 24-member board is an advisory panel for the Office of Tourism Development, the tourism-marketing arm of the state.
“The tourism board is a vital entity that guides our efforts to showcase and expand Maryland tourism – the fourth largest industry in our state,” said Governor O’Malley. “It’s especially valuable in today’s competitive climate to have the counsel of a strong, experienced tourism board.”
New board members include an executive for a pair of prominent Baltimore retail destinations, two restaurateurs, and a former Olympian who operates an adventure sports venue. They are:
- Paul Bales, co-owner of The Crossing at Casey Jones Restaurant in Charles County and a former member of Maryland Restaurant Association’s board of directors.
- Greg Shockley, owner of Shenanigan’s Irish Pub in Ocean City and a past president of the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association.
- Christopher S. Schardt, senior general manager at Harborplace and The Gallery in downtown Baltimore.
- Matthew Taylor, executive director of Adventure Sports Center International, located near Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County. Taylor was a two-time Olympian – 2000 in Sydney and 2004 in Athens – in whitewater slalom canoeing.
“We’re thrilled to add these outstanding leaders to the tourism board,” said Margot Amelia, Executive Director of the Maryland Office of Tourism Development. “They each have special talents that will blend well with the board’s efforts to advance Maryland tourism.”
The board is made up of leaders from hospitality-related industries – lodging, retail, transportation, food service and attractions – along with six members of Maryland’s General Assembly. It has broad policy powers authorized by the General Assembly to develop Maryland tourism and market the state as world-class destination.
Recently compiled data from the Tourism Office shows that Maryland welcomed more than 28 million visitors in 2006, which led to more than $11.4 billion in visitor spending, up from $10.7 billion during the previous calendar year. Also in 2006, Maryland’s tourism industry generated $895 million in state and local tax revenue, and provided more than 116,000 jobs for Maryland residents.
The Tourism Office is part of the Division of Tourism, Film and the Arts, an agency of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.
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