Annapolis Ice Cream Company

Anston House Press

Chesapeake Harmony Chorus

Chesapeake Nautical Cruises

Cink Art, Ltd.

Corporate Communications
Alliance

Country Inn &
Suites BWI

Courtyard by Marriott
Fort Meade

Destination Relaxation

Donnelly Signs, Inc.

Fisherman's Dock

Folk Art America

Hilton Garden Inn -
Kent Island

House History

Inn at 30
Maryland, The

MVP Tours and Reunions

Natalie Silitch Folk
Art Crafts & Antiques

Ramada Inn BWI Airport

RCI Sound Systems

Southwest Airlines

Tapenade

Tiffany's Epiphany

TopSide Inn
Restaurant &
Catering Service

Visual Concepts

W.S. Taylor & Associates

Valerie, Guy and Brittany Roach pictured here with Pat Wagner, a guide with Three Centuries Tours of Annapolis

Family Picks Annapolis Over Williamsburg and Mount Vernon
Annapolis will be front and center during a soon-to-be aired Vacation Challenge program on The Travel Channel. The show highlighting Annapolis will feature a family of three from Los Angeles exploring Maryland’s Capital City. Valerie Roach, her husband Guy, and their 15- year-old daughter Brittany selected an Annapolis getaway over trips to Williamsburg and Mount Vernon. They flew into BWI airport on October 1 and spent the next two days getting to know Annapolis. Filmed portions of their visit included: breakfast at the Gatehouse Inn Bed and Breakfast, a personal tour of the Historic District with a guide from Three Centuries Tours, an afternoon cruise aboard the Woodwind Schooner, a visit to the U.S. Naval Academy, a Segs in the City segway tour, and dinner at Cantler’s Riverside Inn.

According to the producers, the program featuring Annapolis will air up to 15 times a year for seven years.

Galesville featured as Anne Arundel County’s Hidden Treasure
Want to know more about Galesville? Pick up a copy of Maryland-Life Magazine when it rolls off the presses in late December. The CVB submitted a story about the 350-year-old maritime village in South County for inclusion in an article highlighting hidden treasures from throughout Maryland. If you haven’t been to Galesville for a while, treat yourself to a weekend afternoon visiting the restaurants, small antique shops, the Galesville Heritage and Hartge Nautical Museums, and the West River Market. If you get tired of walking, pick up one of Galesville’s loaner bikes and peddle to your way to your next stop.

Travel Photographer Focuses on Annapolis and Anne Arundel County
Throughout October, travel and tourism photographer Jake McGuire has been traveling around Annapolis and Anne Arundel County capturing images for a coffee table book, Annapolis: a Photographic Portrait, being published by Twin Lights Publishers, Inc. in Rockport, Massachusetts. The CVB is assisting Jake in his effort to produce a piece that captures the essence of the county. He has visited festivals, events, and places of interest, and he’s up for suggestions. If you have a "must see" place in mind for Jake, contact CVB Director of Communications Susan Steckman at 410-280-0445 ext. 19.

Travel Writer Visits
Freelance travel writer Roberta Sandler visited Annapolis and Anne Arundel County August 18-20. In addition to exploring Annapolis, Roberta toured the Presidential Pet Museum in Lothian and Londontown House and Gardens in Edgewater.

Larchmont, New York freelance travel writer Jeanne Muchnick explored
Annapolis with her nine-and eleven-year-old daughters on August 19. Jeanne specializes in family travel and writes pieces for Family Travel Features Syndicate and www.familytraveltimes.com. She regularly publishes travel pieces for Long Island Parents & Children.

County Executive Janet Owens welcomed the delegation from Ghangde City.

Press Check
The total ad equivalency value for the first quarter of fiscal year 2005 is $516,055. This was the result of placements in publications and media outlets including:

Good Morning America Weekend Edition
The September 12 show featured Jimmy Cantler’s Riverside Inn.

Baltimore Magazine
A Fall Food Drives article in the September issue written by Carolyn Spencer Brown recommended Galesville and Eastport as not-to-miss stops.

Washingtonian Magazine
Alicia Kilpatrick’s Born to Shop article in the September issue recommended a number of stores and restaurants in Annapolis.

Westport News, Fairfield Citizen-News, and the Greenwich Citizen (Connecticut)
Eric Engledew’s article, Three Men in a Boat, included a humorous and detailed account of his visit to Annapolis. It appeared September 1 and 3

Tourism Industry Recognizes Annapolis and Anne Arundel County
The Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau and two of its members were among the 21 organizations and/or individuals who received Maryland Tourism Industry Marketing Awards during the 24th annual Maryland Governor’s Tourism Industry Conference held at the University of Maryland College Park’s Inn and Conference Center October 17-19.

Susan Steckman accepts the Legislative Development and Public Awareness Award on behalf of the CVB

Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation President Leonard Blackshear accepted the Global Marketing Award for his organization’s successful campaign to attract out-of-state tourists to Maryland through a September 29 Slavery Reconciliation Walk for Penitence and Forgiveness. Thanks to Blackshear’s efforts, organizers of the international Lifeline Expedition Project selected Annapolis as the site of their first U.S. Reconciliation Walk.

The judges honored Noah Kegley of Watermark Cruises with the Maryland Tourism Council’s New Professional of the Year Award for his outstanding growth as a tourism professional. Watermark’s Director of Sales was recognized for becoming immersed in Maryland’s tourism industry and for forging solid relationships with a host of tourism partners over the past 19 months.

The annual Tourism Industry Marketing Awards honor outstanding initiatives that attract visitors to Maryland.

CVB Bookings October through April

• Frank Power Group, Best Western Annapolis, October 2004
• Huron Yacht Club, Hilton Garden Inn BWI, October 2004
• Business Objects, The O’Callaghan Hotel, October 2004
• Education Executives LCMS, Country Inn & Suites Annapolis, October 2004
• Campus Crusade for Christ, BWI Marriott, November 2004
• Mid-Atlantic African Violet Society, Radisson Annapolis Hotel, November 2004
• Safety Management Services, Sheraton Four Points BWI, March 2005
• International Association of Professional Security Consultants, Loews Annapolis Hotel, April 2005

The Sales Department participated in the following shows and sales calls:

• Travel Connections, Pittsburgh, PA (target market – group leaders and tour operators). Joyce Baki and Dianna Vejar, Radisson Annapolis Hotel, also did nine sales calls to tour operators and AAA Offices
• GLAMER, Connecticut (target market – group leaders and tour operators). Coop with the State of Maryland. Joyce Baki also made four sales calls to tour operators.
• HSMAI Affordable Meetings, Washington, DC (target market – meeting planners): Andrew had 85 meeting planners requested follow-up information. He also received 3 RFPs.
• Sales Blitz, New York City with CRUSA to receptive tour operators doing business with the international market.

Andrew attended the Amateur Athletic Union (September) and TEAMS (October) tradeshows. Both shows target the sports market.

Joyce will be attending David Tour & Travel’s Annual Group Leader Show (October), National Tour Association Marketplace (November) and World Travel Mart (November)

The New lead system, iDSS is now in operation – call Andrew or Joyce for more information.

August meeting Members shown: Judith Cabral, Alex Haley-Kunta Kinte Association; Kirby McKinney, the Stanton Center; and Traci Silveria, Medieval Times.

African American Itineraries
The Sales Department is developing itineraries showcasing the African American Heritage of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. Throughout the next several months, we will invite tour operators and meeting planners to visit and experience this heritage. In August, the African American Tourism Association met at theAmerisuites Hotel at BWI. Many ideas were exchanged as we looked for ways to bring more African American travelers to Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. The City of Annapolis, Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation, and African American Tour Association are working with the CVB on this project. If you are interested in participating,
please contact Joyce Baki.

Meeting, Tour and Event Planner
The Sales Department is working with The Pomerantz Agency to develop a NEW Meeting, Tour and Event Planner. The planner will provide meeting planners, tour operators, and event planners with the information they need to plan their next event, meeting, or tour in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. As we publish the piece, we will also produce a brochure that highlights meeting and tour information. This will be used to fulfill tradeshow and information requests. If you have questions about the publication, please contact the CVB.

Tradeshow and FAM Tour Participation
Plan to work with the CVB at upcoming tradeshows and on FAM tours! If you are interested in participating in a tradeshow with the CVB or you would like to host a meeting planner, tour operator, or event planner, please call the Sales Department. We are looking for hotels, restaurants, attractions, and other services to assist with promoting Annapolis and Anne Arundel County!

Internal Communications

DC Concierge Blitz
Stephanie and 13 members participated in a day of blitzing 45 DC hotels. Teams of 3 visited hotels throughout the area with Towne Transport providing transportation to the properties, many whom were members of the DC Concierge Association. All of the teams reported a huge success with the major concern expressed being transportation to Annapolis from DC for the visitor. A follow-up up to the concierge meeting is planned for October.

Annapolis Boat Show and City of Annapolis Transportation Department:
"It’s a Breeze," campaign was promoted between the CVB, the City of Annapolis Department of Transportation and US Boat Show to assist with the transportation during the US Boat Show. The City’s Department of Transportation developed a new Boat Show transportation brochure (15,000) outlining route times and locations. Visitors and residents were encouraged to take advantage of the program. Downtown workers and merchants were offered the peace of mind and big savings without fears of getting a parking ticket with the "It's A Breeze" special $40 parking pass for the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, valid on October 7-11 and 14-17. Downtown employees road to and from downtown for FREE on the extended Navy Blue Route service (stadium parking lot to downtown to stadium) until 10 p.m. every Boat Show night between October 4 and 16 except for Oct. 10 and 17. "It's A Breeze" provided special $12 buses pass for unlimited transit trips between October 4th through the 17th on any Annapolis Transit local route (excludes C-40, C-50 and Kent Island Shuttle). Regular fares were only seventy-five cents, but riding twice a day for two weeks would cost $21.00, while the "It's A Breeze" pass was used as many times as needed. FREE transportation was provided to Boat Show vendors and guests displaying a Boat Show badge or wrist band. Contact Stephanie for additional information or Clean Commute: 410-263-7964 x 107 for passes available year long.

CVB Board Members Rick Franke and Jules Smith

Appreciation Soiree
City, County, and State leaders joined CVB Board Members and staff for an Appreciation Soiree at the Visitors Center September 14. Guests were treated to light fare from CVB member, Big Steaks, representing the restaurants Ruth’s Chris, Babalu Grill, EurAsian Harbor, Havana Club, and Blue Sea Grill. Linganore Wineries and Pepsi provided the beverages. Those attending not only enjoyed good food and drink but were also entertained by violinist Rebecca Hannigan.

Marketing Meeting/Partners Hour
The CVB Marketing Meeting/Partners Hour was held on September 21 at the Chart House. The meeting’s agenda included an overview of the branding campaign, reports from CVB department heads, industry updates, and a brief presentation from CVB members, Lisa LoVullo of Wild Thing and Frieda Wildey, Office of Economic Development, City of Annapolis, on the upcoming visit of the USS Constellation in October.

Come Sail Away Drink Promotion
CVB members are invited to participate in developing a "Come Sail Away" beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) to continue with the CVB branding message along with complimenting their restaurant’s drink selection. With program participation, the CVB will highlight the businesses through written literature and publications and promote participation at the Visitors Center. To date, four restaurants have expressed interest: Sean Donlon’s Pub & Restaurant, Jimmy Cantler’s Riverside Inn, Riordan’s and Rams Head. Contact Stephanie for further information.

Visitor and Member Services

Don’t Miss Your Opportunity to Advertise in the 2005 Visitors Guide!
Account executives from the Pomerantz Agency are out and about and available to help you with your ad needs. If you want to get in touch with them to plan your advertising, call Julie Russ at 410-216-9447, ext. 108.

Have you replied to The Pomerantz Agency about your Visitors Guide listing? Changes received after November 1 may not make it into the 2005 Guide. If you have any questions about this, please contact Mary Jo.

Don't Miss Your Opportunity to Advertise in the 2005 State Guide!
As in the 2004 issue, the Annapolis & Anne Arundel County CVB is again supporting a two page, full color spread in the official state travel guide, Destination Maryland.

This is a unique opportunity to reach 1.2 million potential visitors at an affordable cost. 400,000 copies of this annual publication are mailed to travelers who have requested information about Maryland through the state's toll free line or through the website. Copies are also available at Welcome Centers on Maryland highways and county/city tourism offices. The Guide is also distributed to bus/tour operators, travel agents and meeting/convention planners.

The ad spaces on the Annapolis & Anne Arundel CVB pages measure 2-1/8" x 2-1/8" and are $800 for text only and $1,500 with text and a color photo. Space reservationsare due this week. Only a few spots remain. Call Cindy Bello at (866) 663-3422.

CVB Volunteer Holiday Bash
The Annual "Kick Off the Holidays" Party for the CVB’s volunteers will be held on December 13 at the Loews Annapolis Hotel. As has become our tradition, we will be coming to our members to ask for your support in the form of a gift certificate, an item from your shop, or other appropriate gift for one of our loyal Information Specialists. This is a wonderful way for you to say "thank you!" to this terrific group. As you know, our volunteers donate over 14,000 hours of their time to assist visitors to our city and county, saving the CVB over $140,000 - money we use to market Annapolis and Anne Arundel County to potential guests! I know that you will help us make this a very special evening for our crew. It’s a much anticipated event! Details will arrive in the mail to you soon.

New Member Drive
Know a business in Anne Arundel County that would benefit by becoming a member of the CVB? Let Mary Jo know by calling 410-280-0445, ext. 14 or emailing to mjrobey@visit-annapolis.org The deadline for having a member listing appear in the Official Visitors Guide is November 1, 2004.

Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer re-opens West Street

Construction

West Street
The last block of the West Street project re-opened on Wednesday, October 6 with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by Mayor Ellen O. Moyer followed by a reception at the Conference & Visitors Center Bureau. The event attracted a large crowd that included City, County and State officials, community business leaders and local Annapolis residents.Go West Street. It's Happening.

WRNR "Free-Fall Festival" to celebrate West Street Re-Opening on October 30, 2004