CHESTER – The Maryland Travel & Tourism Summit is Maryland’s annual tourism industry conference that brings together all sectors of the hospitality industry where business and public sector leaders convene, network and learn new strategies to advance Maryland’s tourism industry. The summit attracts more than 250 attendees who engage with a variety of keynote speakers on industry trends, complete interactive learning sessions and off-site educational tours of the destination.

The 2019 summit was held in Allegany County at the Rocky Gap Casino and Resort from November 6-November 8, 2019. At the summit, Maryland Office of Tourism Development and the Maryland Tourism Development Board acknowledge industry professionals for their contributions to the tourism hospitality industry in a Destination Maryland award ceremony. This year, Queen Anne’s County Tourism and Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area counterparts (Caroline, Kent and Talbot Offices of Tourism) were recognized as the 2019 Market Expansion Awardees for their collaborative efforts on the Maryland’s Tastiest Catch Program and Cookbook. The cookbook features Chef’s favorite recipes from establishments within the area and local heritage stories. It is now being sold online for $20 and can be found at www.storiesofthechesapeake.org.

“It was a true honor to be recognized as the 2019 Market Expansion Awardee for our work on the Maryland Tastiest Catch Cookbook,” said Tourism Development Coordinator, Ashley Chenault. “On behalf of our office, I would like to thank all of our hospitality partners for their time, collaboration and providing us with the ‘ingredients’ to contribute to the project’s success.”

In past years, Queen Anne’s County Tourism has been recognized at the Maryland Tourism & Travel Summit for Best Visitors Guide (2017), Cooperative Partnership Award (2015), and Best Product/Event (2014) among others.