The Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA) promotes Baltimore City and the surrounding area as an ideal place for conventions, meetings, group and individual leisure travel. We are the marketing arm for the newly expanded Baltimore Convention Center, as well as BACVA member businesses of the hospitality community. With this in mind, our Membership Directory & Services Guide is designed to be your "yellow pages" to the diverse services and products offered by the more than 650 members of our Association.

This guide serves meeting planners, tour operators and travel agents as well as the members and staff of the BACVA. In addition to outlining the services and products offered by our extensive list of members, the guide explains the mission of our organization and the benefits of Association membership. By supporting our efforts, our members affirm the importance of the convention and leisure travel industry to the community and its economy and demonstrate their willingness to invest in their businesses.

We enthusiastically encourage you to use this guide as a valuable resource in planning your next meeting or group tour to Baltimore. BACVA, the official sales and marketing organization of Baltimore, is proud of our city and stands ready to ensure that your programs here are nothing less than outstanding.

The Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA) is a 501-C6, nonprofit organization financially supported by hotel tax revenue, government grants and membership dues. This budget funds our sales and marketing efforts to promote Baltimore to industry decision-makers as an ideal destination for conventions, trade shows, group business and leisure travel.

The Association's Board of Directors represents a variety of business professions, with William L. Jews, President & CEO of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Maryland as its Chairman of the Board. The Board sets policy for the Association and oversees the President & CEO, who manages the staff and supervises its day-to-day operational activities. Final authority for all convention and tourism marketing and service activities rests with the Association's Board of Directors.

BACVA is the single entity that brings together the interests of private sector leadership, government, trade and civic associations, and its members in continuing to build the successful convention and leisure travel industry in the Baltimore area. According to a national survey conducted by the International Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus in 1995, the average spending for a convention/ trade show delegate was $950.00 for lodging, food, shopping, local transportation, entertainment, association and exhibit expenses, and other personal items over an average of three days.

In 1995, a total of 869,254 group room nights were used by meeting and convention delegates, generating over a half a billion dollars in economic impact to our destination. This money rolls over into the local community, thus stimulating the growth of more visitor-related business. These businesses, in turn, pay state and local taxes which improve the level of government service to the entire community.

Membership in the BACVA is a partnership in the growth of the convention and leisure travel industry in the Baltimore region. By supporting the Association, your investment will enable the continued sales and marketing of Baltimore to industry decision-makers. In turn, the positive image of the city that we promote attracts corporate and business development. BACVA strives to represent each member fairly and does not promote one member over another. By supporting our efforts, you will be making an investment in your own company's growth.

• Comprehensive annual Convention Calendar of meetings and conventions which lists bookings for the next three years. Monthly updates to the Convention Calendar.
• Inclusion in the Association's Membership Directory & Services Guide.
• Referrals by the Association staff to incoming meeting planners and group travel planners.
• Direct leads from the convention sales, services, and leisure travel departments.
• Inclusion in various membership events (luncheons, educational seminars, trade shows, etc.).
• Listings in Association publications: Facilities Guide, Quick Guide (Dining, Lodging, Retail, Nightlife), Restaurant Guide to Private Dining, Unusual Places in Baltimore for Parties & Receptions guide and The Baltimore Adventure, A Tour Planner's Idea Book.
• Inclusion of menus and visitor related literature at our two permanent Restaurant and Information Kiosks, located in the newly expanded Baltimore Convention Center.
• Membership identification (plaque and logo sheet).
• Member brochures with visitor related information distributed at the Baltimore Area Visitors Centers and mailed in response to visitor requests.
• Listing on BACVA's webpage

Meeting planners throughout the world have come to value convention and visitor associations as an invaluable resource in the production of successful meetings, conventions and special events. We can arrange appointments, introduce you to sales representatives, and escort you to the facilities you may want to tour.

BACVA can be of assistance with your program planning. Our knowledge of Baltimore's unique visitor attractions and unusual party and reception facilities enables us to provide guidance as you arrange activities that will give your attendees a taste of the special flavor of Baltimore. At your request, we will send you our Unusual Places in Baltimore for Parties and Receptions guide and/or our Restaurant Guide to Private Dining.

Our staff can work with both the national association and the local host committee by attending local planning meetings. Our knowledge of the city, convention facilities, and service firms complement the planning efforts of local members.

BACVA will serve as a liaison with local businesses that offer products and services to you and your delegates. Upon request, we will send leads to member firms for bidding on the services you require.

We maintain an extensive resource file containing a wide variety of subjects. If we do not have the information you require, we will be happy to research it for you.

BACVA offers computerized housing services to those associations utilizing three or more hotels with a minimum of 900 rooms on the peak night of your convention.

We offer assistance in your promotional efforts by offering the following: color slides, black and white photographs, videotapes, banners, pre-written copy, and camera-ready logos, maps and line art. We can also obtain welcome letters from the Mayor of Baltimore and/or the Governor of Maryland. We have a variety of literature available for both promotion and on-site.

We provide bonded registration personnel and urge you to utilize their expertise. Our capable staff offers prompt, courteous and efficient service.