Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1537157
MARYLAND THE POWER OF PLACE AND POSSIBILITY BY TATE GLOVER Maryland is an East Coast state with national proximity, historical stature, and a legacy of Black excellence that spans industries and generations. With its deep waterfront culture, thriving meeting facil- ities, and easy access to Washington DC, Maryland is where legacy meets logistics. From Baltimore's cultural grit to the pol- ished sophistication of Annapolis and the upward momentum of Prince George's County, Maryland invites meeting plan- ners to create events that speak with pur- pose and land with power. The state also supports innovative event incentives and public private partnerships that furnish meetings with funding opportunities and community integration. • •BALTIMORE • • Baltimore is not a passive setting. It is a living archive of Black America's past, present, and future. At the heart of the city is the Baltimore Convention Center, offering over 1.2 million square feet of functional space, including 300,000 square feet of exhibit halls, 85,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and a 36,000 square foot ballroom. The venue is cen- trally located in the Inner Harbor and walkable to major hotels, attractions, and restaurants. On-site amenities include green-certified practices, high-speed con- nectivity, and planning support from Visit Baltimore's multicultural services team. Recent investments include upgraded audiovisual systems and enhanced cater- ing kitchens that support multiethnic menu options. The city's event staffing professionals are trained in cultural com- petence and inclusive governance. Lodging is extensive and diverse. The Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor is connect- ed directly to the convention center via skybridge and includes over 60,000 square feet of meeting space and 757 guest rooms. Hotel Revival, a Black-led boutique hotel in the Mount Vernon dis- trict, offers artistic flair, tech-forward meeting rooms, and tailored menus root- ed in the culinary traditions of Baltimore's Black and Korean chefs. Sagamore Pendry Baltimore, located in a historic 1914 pier building, provides waterfront luxury with boardrooms and private ter- races for high-end corporate gatherings. Additional boutique options like the Royal Sonesta Harborplace and Four Seasons provide premium hospitality with execu- tive lounges and private focus rooms. Many of these properties support sustain- able event practices and community sourcing for local goods. For Black history engagement, plan- ners can incorporate visits to the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture and the National Great Blacks In Wax Museum. Groups can engage with guided heritage tours along Pennsylvania Avenue, once home to jazz clubs, Civil Rights rallies, and historic Black businesses. Organizers can partner with local scholars for narra- tive-based keynote sessions that examine the relationship between space, policy, and power. Incorporating panel discus- sions with local activists and educators deepens the impact and maintains authenticity. Evening programs can include curated live storytelling at local Black theater spaces and inclusive panel discussions featuring community activists and cultural entrepreneurs. AREA GUIDES B M & T ••• July/August 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 41 M A R Y L A N D Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center .. photo credit: Baltimore C.C.