Mayor Dixon Establishes New Governing Board for BACVA and Convention Center
Baltimore, MD (July 18, 2008) - Mayor Sheila Dixon took a major step to enhance Baltimore's convention and tourism industry by creating a joint board of directors that will provide oversight to both the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA) and the Baltimore Convention Center (BCC). BACVA President and CEO Tom Noonan and BCC Executive Director Peggy Daidakis will report to the new board, which will now be known as the Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board. Both Noonan and Daidakis will continue to run their organizations, and their staffs will remain separate. Currently, BACVA reports to a Board and the BCC reports directly to a Deputy Mayor in the Mayor's Office.
The move fulfills a goal Mayor Dixon announced during her State of the City address in February of this year to restructure and enhance the already close relationship between BACVA and the Convention Center. Under this new structure, the Convention Center staff will remain city employees but will report to the expanded Board whose mission will include destination sales and marketing as well as maintenance and operations of the Convention Center. Edwin F. Hale, chairman and CEO of 1st Mariner Bank, will serve as chairman of the Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board; Hale has chaired the BACVA Board of Directors for more than two years.
"With the recent expansion of major attractions, substantial renovations at many hotels, and the August opening of the publicly funded convention center hotel, the role and success of BACVA and the Baltimore Convention Center are more critical than ever," said Mayor Dixon. "We must ensure the continued expansion of hospitality and tourism in Baltimore, and, to succeed in this highly competitive marketplace, we need to maximize collaboration among our partners and provide seamless service to our customers."
Baltimore is taking a leading role in the convention industry with a Board structure that takes traditional destination marketing/convention center operating models to a new level. With this new Board, there will now be a joint governing body with shared performance objectives for both BACVA and the BCC, which will lead to greater efficiency, a seamless sales process and an enhanced customer experience. BACVA and the BCC will develop a joint marketing plan and goals for the sales teams that reflect the mission of both organizations.
"Creating the Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board is a smart strategy that will make Baltimore even more competitive with a cohesive sales and marketing message and plan to maximize utilization of the BCC space so it is easier for customers to bring business to Baltimore," said Tom Noonan, BACVA president and CEO.
The 2008-2009 Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board will commence on August 1, 2008.
"We have strong leadership already in place at BACVA and the BCC. This combined Board will make the team even stronger and the destination even more successful," added Mayor Dixon.
Please visit our website at http://www.baltimorecity.gov/
Directors of the 2008-2009 Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board
Baltimore, MD (July 18, 2008) - Mayor Sheila Dixon took a major step to enhance Baltimore's convention and tourism industry by creating a joint board of directors that will provide oversight to both the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA) and the Baltimore Convention Center (BCC). BACVA President and CEO Tom Noonan and BCC Executive Director Peggy Daidakis will report to the new board, which will now be known as the Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board. Both Noonan and Daidakis will continue to run their organizations, and their staffs will remain separate. Currently, BACVA reports to a Board and the BCC reports directly to a Deputy Mayor in the Mayor's Office.
The move fulfills a goal Mayor Dixon announced during her State of the City address in February of this year to restructure and enhance the already close relationship between BACVA and the Convention Center. Under this new structure, the Convention Center staff will remain city employees but will report to the expanded Board whose mission will include destination sales and marketing as well as maintenance and operations of the Convention Center. Edwin F. Hale, chairman and CEO of 1st Mariner Bank, will serve as chairman of the Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board; Hale has chaired the BACVA Board of Directors for more than two years.
"With the recent expansion of major attractions, substantial renovations at many hotels, and the August opening of the publicly funded convention center hotel, the role and success of BACVA and the Baltimore Convention Center are more critical than ever," said Mayor Dixon. "We must ensure the continued expansion of hospitality and tourism in Baltimore, and, to succeed in this highly competitive marketplace, we need to maximize collaboration among our partners and provide seamless service to our customers."
Baltimore is taking a leading role in the convention industry with a Board structure that takes traditional destination marketing/convention center operating models to a new level. With this new Board, there will now be a joint governing body with shared performance objectives for both BACVA and the BCC, which will lead to greater efficiency, a seamless sales process and an enhanced customer experience. BACVA and the BCC will develop a joint marketing plan and goals for the sales teams that reflect the mission of both organizations.
"Creating the Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board is a smart strategy that will make Baltimore even more competitive with a cohesive sales and marketing message and plan to maximize utilization of the BCC space so it is easier for customers to bring business to Baltimore," said Tom Noonan, BACVA president and CEO.
The 2008-2009 Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board will commence on August 1, 2008.
"We have strong leadership already in place at BACVA and the BCC. This combined Board will make the team even stronger and the destination even more successful," added Mayor Dixon.
Please visit our website at http://www.baltimorecity.gov/
Directors of the 2008-2009 Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board
*Edwin F. Hale - ChairmanChairman/CEO, 1st Mariner Bank
Clarence BishopDeputy Secretary, Department of Business and Economic Development
Carolyn BlakeneyAssistant Deputy Mayor, Office of Mayor
Jim BrittonOwner, Class Act Catering
*Edie BrownPresident, Edie Brown & Associates
Javier BustamanteBoard Member, Baltimore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
*Woody CollinsExecutive Vice President, M&T Bank
*Mary Ann CricchioOwner, Da Mimmo's Italian Restaurant
*Eddie DopkinVice President, The Classic Catering People
Vanessa FinneyExecutive Vice President, Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show, Inc.
*Kirby FowlerPresident, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore
*Don FryPresident, Greater Baltimore Committee
Edward GallagherFinance Director, Office of Mayor
Bill GilmoreExecutive Director, Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts
Paul HartgenPresident/CEO, Restaurant Association of Maryland
*Roxie HerbekianVice President, UNITE-HERE
Michael HaynieManaging Director, Tremont Suites Hotels
*Peter KomarGeneral Manager, Holiday Inn Inner Harbor Hotel
Jon KoscherGeneral Manager, Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel
Daniel NadeauGeneral Manager, Marriott Waterfront Hotel
*Carla NelsonDirector, Mayor's Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development
Linda NormanGeneral Manager, Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel
David PittengerExecutive Director, National Aquarium in Baltimore
Fred PuddesterChairman, Maryland Stadium Authority
*Honorable Stephanie Rawlings-BlakePresident, Baltimore City Council
Frances ReavesDirector of Business Development, Mintax, Inc./ADP Employer Services
*Gail Smith-Howard General Manager, Hyatt Regency Baltimore
Dennis SullivanDirector of Sales, Freeman Decorating Company
David Taft TerryExecutive Director, Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American
History & Culture
Chuck TildonVice President of Marketing and Communications, United Way of Central Maryland
*Sergio VitaleOwner, Aldo's Italian Restaurant
Mark WassermanVice President of Development and Corporate/Public Sector Relations, University of Maryland Medical Systems
*William Donald SchaeferBoard Emeritus
*Currently serving on the BACVA Board
Media Contacts:
Sterling CliffordMayor’s Office(443) 452-9063
Nancy HindsBACVA(410) 659-7054
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