PRESIDENT AND CEO, VISIT BALTIMORE
Al Hutchinson — head of Baltimore’s quasi-public tourism agency — estimates that he spent 50% of his work life last year traveling to trade shows and sales events across the country. Living out of a suitcase doesn’t faze Hutchinson though.
“I’ve been doing this for 30-plus years,” he said with a laugh. “So this is not a new rodeo to me.”
In fact, meeting potential customers in their home markets is an essential task for Hutchinson, who saw competitors from cities such as Charlotte, Cleveland and Louisville, Kentucky at the same events. “Everybody is out selling their destinations, and if we don’t do that for Baltimore, we will fall behind,” he said.
A Virginia native who was named to his current position in 2016, Hutchinson has helped cities such as Charlotte, Mobile, Alabama, and Virginia Beach, Virginia, attract visitors.
Hutchinson said Baltimore’s tourism numbers from last year were roughly 70% of what they were in 2019 as the tourism and hospitality industries nationwide continue to recover from the pandemic. “This is a very critical time for all of us,” he said. “We want to do our part to bring as much business — both convention business and leisure travel business — back to the community.”
Hutchinson said recent investments in CFG Bank Arena, Penn Station, the Warner Street entertainment district and the Baltimore Peninsula are encouraging developments post-pandemic. Last month’s USA Lacrosse convention capped a year that included the city hosting the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s men’s and women’s basketball tournaments almost a year ago and the Maryland Cycling Classic on Labor Day weekend.
With the Maryland Cycling Classic returning later this year, the CIAA Tournaments staying in Baltimore through 2025, and the Army-Navy football game coming back to M&T Bank Stadium in 2025, Hutchinson is optimistic about the future.
But Hutchinson said he doesn’t intend to rest just yet. “We’re always looking for more opportunities,” he said.