Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association
Encyclopedia
Visit Baltimore, formerly the Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association (BACVA), is a quasi-public organization started in 1980 by then-Baltimore Mayor William Donald Schaefer
. The agency is charged with bringing in tourists and conventions into the city of Baltimore
, Maryland
, but does not manage the actual convention venues, hotels, or museums in the city.
which was radically different from the old visitors center which was inside an antiquated modified construction trailer. The new Baltimore Visitors Center is 8,000 square feet (740 m²) and is located next to the Light Street Pavilion of Harborplace
and has a unique design.
In 2005, BACVA made a joint effort with the Baltimore Development Corporation
to pitch a controversial $305 million, 752-room Hilton Hotel
to the Baltimore City Council in an attempt to bring in more conventions to the Baltimore Convention Center
. In 2006, BACVA succeeded in its joint effort with the BDC
to have a Hilton Hotel built directly adjacent to the Baltimore Convention Center
. The hotel is expected to open in August 2008.
In 2009, BACVA made a decision at their annual meeting to change its name from the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association to Visit Baltimore to make it more easier for the public to recognize Baltimore's tourism agency and that it followed a industry standard at the time of having tourism agencies have a name that reflect their mission.
William Donald Schaefer
William Donald Schaefer was an American politician who served in public office for 50 years at both the state and local level in Maryland. A Democrat, he was mayor of Baltimore from 1971 to 1987, the 58th Governor of Maryland from January 21, 1987 to January 18, 1995, and the Comptroller of...
. The agency is charged with bringing in tourists and conventions into the city of Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, but does not manage the actual convention venues, hotels, or museums in the city.
History
In 2004 BACVA launched a totally redesigned website. An major event for BACVA in 2004 occurred in May when they officially opened a totally new Baltimore Visitors CenterBaltimore Visitors Center
The new Baltimore Visitors Center opened on May 7, 2004, to replace an old antiquated visitors center that was operated in a modified construction trailer. It is located in downtown Baltimore, Maryland, USA, on the Inner Harbor....
which was radically different from the old visitors center which was inside an antiquated modified construction trailer. The new Baltimore Visitors Center is 8,000 square feet (740 m²) and is located next to the Light Street Pavilion of Harborplace
Harborplace
Harborplace is a festival marketplace in Baltimore, Maryland, that opened in 1980 as a centerpiece of the revival of downtown Baltimore. As its name suggests, it is located on the Inner Harbor....
and has a unique design.
In 2005, BACVA made a joint effort with the Baltimore Development Corporation
Baltimore Development Corporation
The Baltimore Development Corporation is a nonprofit corporation on contract to the City of Baltimore, Maryland, to act as its economic development representative by providing development assistance to new and expanding companies inside Baltimore....
to pitch a controversial $305 million, 752-room Hilton Hotel
Hilton Baltimore
The Hilton Baltimore is a 757–room hotel located on West Pratt Street in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Initially proposed in 2003, actual construction of the city-owned venture took place between 2006 and 2008 as part of the Baltimore Convention Center...
to the Baltimore City Council in an attempt to bring in more conventions to the Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore Convention Center
The Baltimore Convention Center is a convention and exhibition hall located in downtown Baltimore, Maryland. The Center is a municiple building owned and operated by the City of Baltimore...
. In 2006, BACVA succeeded in its joint effort with the BDC
Baltimore Development Corporation
The Baltimore Development Corporation is a nonprofit corporation on contract to the City of Baltimore, Maryland, to act as its economic development representative by providing development assistance to new and expanding companies inside Baltimore....
to have a Hilton Hotel built directly adjacent to the Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore Convention Center
The Baltimore Convention Center is a convention and exhibition hall located in downtown Baltimore, Maryland. The Center is a municiple building owned and operated by the City of Baltimore...
. The hotel is expected to open in August 2008.
In 2009, BACVA made a decision at their annual meeting to change its name from the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association to Visit Baltimore to make it more easier for the public to recognize Baltimore's tourism agency and that it followed a industry standard at the time of having tourism agencies have a name that reflect their mission.