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Like many CVB’s in recent years, Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association has adopted a new, shorter and snappier moniker—Visit Baltimore. The switch to Visit Baltimore is in line with the name changes taking place at convention and visitor bureaus around the country. It is now an industry standard to have a name that reflects a bureau’s or association’s mission. The announcement was made by Tom Noonan President/CEO of Visit Baltimore during the agency’s annual meeting at the Brown Center on the campus of the Maryland Institute College of Art.

“It’s a smart move that will better position the destination in this increasingly competitive marketplace and make it easier for potential travelers to find us,” said Noonan. “Tourism is a $3 billion industry in Baltimore, and, yet, very few locals or visitors actually know what BACVA is, much less its mission. We needed a name that clearly identifies what it is that we do.”

Other city bureaus that have taken this strategic step include Destination D.C.,Visit Charlotte, Positively Cleveland, Choose Chicago, Meet Minneapolis, Visit Tampa Bay, Go to Louisville, Visit Pittsburgh and Visit Milwaukee.

Visit Baltimore is now being used for all marketing and sales collateral, advertising, publications, the Web site, tradeshow booths, convention bid presentations, business cards, e-mail templates, and office voicemail, among other communication channels.

In addition to the name change, the meeting also highlighted tourism sales and marketing accomplishments for Fiscal Year 2009, including new records in convention sales and public relations, and innovative marketing campaigns. Key accomplishments for FY 2009 include: booking a new high of 522,541 room nights for future years, marking a 15.7 percent increase over the previous year—This is the fifth consecutive year that sales bookings have increased; Became first destination in the country to generate 3,000 followers on Twitter; Launched the Certified Tourism Ambassadors Program and trained more than 730 frontline employees to assist visitors in enhancing their trip to Baltimore; achieved designation as an accredited destination management by the Destination Marketing Association International.

Noonan also reviewed several sales and marketing initiatives for FY 2010 including extending and forming new strategic partnerships with leading meeting industry associations; building upon marketing and public relations programs for niche and promoting a new online booking engine that allows visitors to bundle tickets, hotel reservations and other services.

The Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association will remain the legal entity for the organization but Visit Baltimore will serve as the official sales and marketing name for the agency.

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