Heather Ersts

Ersts joined Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County in August of 2022 and oversees all facets of tourism development. In her role, she works to identify and develop tourism programs and products utilizing market research and grant opportunities to inspire, inform, and maximize the opportunity of domestic and international travelers to Anne Arundel County. She also provides destination development technical assistance to businesses, partners, and stakeholders.

She served as project lead for the award-winning "Civil Rights Guide for Annapolis & Anne Arundel County" and was project manager for the Chesapeake Bay Passenger Ferry Feasibility Study. The Chesapeake Bay Passenger Ferry Feasibility Consortium was awarded the Maryland Tourism & Travel Summit’s “Cooperative Partnership Award” in 2024. Also in 2024, she was honored with a “Fannie Lou Hamer Award” which recognizes local women in Annapolis for their leadership in civil and human rights.

In 2025, Ersts spearheaded the “Chesapeake Bayways & Gateways Communities Destination Assessment” initiative in partnership with the National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways. The program culminated with 13 community teams attending two three-day workshops to collaborate on strengthening the region’s tourism assets and fostering sustainable community development around the Chesapeake Bay. The assessment program is supported by funding from the Maryland Office of Tourism through the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration’s American Rescue Plan: Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation Program. The intent of the grant-funded project is to evaluate public access points around the Chesapeake Bay for tourism investment and promotion through a thorough and consistent review process in order to help prioritize areas of improvement and development. The Bayways Destination Assessment seeks to connect diverse places and attractions around the Bay to enhance local economies by bringing in more customers and attracting new businesses.

Prior to joining Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, Ersts spent more than eight years as the Office of Tourism Development, Partnership and Outreach Manager at the Maryland Department of Commerce. In this role, she focused on projects with international, federal, state, county, and private-sector partners to develop tourism experiences and products that attract domestic and international visitors to Maryland. She represented the Department of Commerce on the Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the Arts & Entertainment District Committee, and was part of state grant review panels for Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, Recreational Trails, and Bikeways.

Her tenure in Annapolis began as a Curator at Historic Annapolis where she researched, created, and implemented a wide variety of public programs for children, adults, and families. She later returned for another stint with Historic Annapolis, serving as Vice President of Museum Collections and Interpretation for four years. In that role, she led all aspects of the organization’s mission-related activities, including scholarship, interpretation, public programs, education programs, museum collections, historic garden, and volunteers. She also spent two years with the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park where she was Curator, Education Director, Grant Administrator and Volunteer Coordinator and worked as a team member on the $1.5 million renovation of the historic McNasby Oyster Company building.

Ersts’ previous experience include two years as Assistant Exhibition Designer and Exhibition Coordinator at Charles Mack Design in Baltimore and more than five years as Exhibition Coordinator and Gallery Assistant at the Maryland Center for History & Culture.

Ersts grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and attended the University of Maryland College Park where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history, with a concentration in American and British social history and a minor in English literature. She also earned a master’s degree in history, with a concentration in American History, from George Mason University. In addition, she graduated with honors from the Parson’s School of Design and the Smithsonian Associates with a second master’s degree in American Decorative Arts. Ersts traveled to England to participate in The Attingham Summer School program where she focused on country houses and their collections.

She resides in Annapolis with her partner and orange cat, Leo. She enjoys splitting time between her house and sailboat, aptly named “Five O’Clock.” She is happiest when on the water, whether it’s sailing, boating, or kayaking, and is passionate about exploring everything the Chesapeake Bay region has to offer. Ersts is a past Commodore of the Eastport Yacht Club and currently serves as secretary of the Lost Towns Project and on the Coordinating Council of Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area.

Her favorite place to visit within Anne Arundel County is the Roots and Tides Scenic Byway.