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The Board of Directors of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau announced the appointment of its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Thomas B. Riford was named to the position, effective March 8, 2004. The announcement came following a national search for a new President/CEO for the Hagerstown-based, non-profit organization. According to CVB Board of Directors Chairman Ron Vitkun, "We went through the search process for several months, and carefully selected an individual that we believe will best help our organization. Tom Riford will be in charge of promotional efforts impacting Washington County's more than $165-Million per year visitor industry. We have been looking for an individual, known in the community, who will help lead the CVB and help market Hagerstown-Washington County as a destination for visitors. Tom Riford brings extensive and proven experience with him to this position. He has been involved in marketing and leadership activities in Washington County for many years, and we're very pleased that he will be joining our team." Vitkun said that the search committee included representatives from the CVB, from Washington County's elected government, and from local businesses. As the new CVB President/CEO, Tom Riford will be responsible for overseeing all administration, marketing and public relations, and financial aspects of the organization. "I'm looking forward to working with the excellent team that is already in place at the CVB," Riford said. "This organization has accomplished terrific things over the years, and I'm very glad to be involved in helping market Hagerstown and Washington County." Riford has worked
in management and marketing positions for many years, including as Marketing
Director of the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission.
He is a board member of several local organizations.
"The Today Show"
Crew Makes Stop in Washington County A crew from the Today Show was at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Williamsport, MD, on Tuesday, February 18, 2004. The crew had been following Jack Leonard, 87, and his wife Marge Leonard, 82, across America for nearly three weeks when they made their stop in Washington County. The RV-tour was the idea of the couple's son who is a features correspondent for "The Today Show." The group had plans to stop at Antietam National Battlefield before continuing north to Pennsylvania. The four-part series on the trip should air in April on NBC's "The Today Show." Betsy DeVore, Director of Convention Sales, attended the Religious Conference Managers Association's annual expo and trade show in Pittsburgh, PA, January 27-30, 2004. Patrick Martincic of the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center also attended as a partner in the CVB's booth. They met face to face with over 40 religious meeting planners at the expo. Special thanks goes out to the Review and Herald Publishing Association for their donation of a set of Arthur Maxwell's "The Bible Story" books for a booth prize. Betsy DeVore also attended the annual trade show of the Society of Government Meeting Planners, NATCAP chapter in Washington DC on February 3, 2004. Pam Lowe of the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center attended as a partner in the CVB's booth. Betsy and Pam were able to spend quality time with meeting planners from the Government sector. Betsy also attended Destinations Showcase in Washington DC on February 26, 2004. This trade show is sponsored by the International Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus. While there, she met with approximately 50 meeting & event planners from the corporate, association, government market sectors as well as with independent planners. The first Crossroads Newsletter for Meeting Planners was issued in December of 2003. This quarterly e-newsletter was distributed to nearly 1,000 meeting and event planners in the Mid-Atlantic region. Many thanks to our member hotels and attractions for their submissions. If your business has an upcoming special event or special deal that you'd like for meeting planners to know about, please send your information to Betsy DeVore at betsyd@marylandmemories.org. The United Church of God recently announced they will return to Hagerstown/ Washington County for a 3rd year to celebrate their annual Feast of Tabernacles. This eight-day convention brings approximately 700-800 attendees to the area and will take place September 29 - October 7, 2004. The group had originally committed to just 2002 and 2003, so we are very excited to welcome them back for a 3rd year! The Maryland Municipal League recently selected Hagerstown as the host of their annual Fall Convention in September of 2005. This convention brings mayors and employees of municipalities from across the state. Mayor Breichner and his staff are gearing up for taking on the duties of being the host municipality. Approximately 300 attendees are expected for this two day event. Gigi Yelton, Director of Leisure Travel Sales , attended (MATPRA) Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance in Morgantown, WV, January 29-30th, 2004. The Hagerstown-Washington County CVB is in the process of hosting its first media marketplace in DC on June 17, 2004. Gigi will be representing Hagerstown to hundreds of media outlets. We will be putting together gift bags so if you would like to add anything, please contact Gigi Yelton at 301-791-3246. In Gigi Yelton's absence due to a family emergency, Betsy DeVore attended the American Bus Association on NYC January 16-18, 2004. Betsy met with 40 tour operators, one-on-one, in seven-minute prescheduled appointments. The leads from those appointments were sent out on February 6 via e-mail and regular mail. If you are interested in these leads and have not yet received them, please contact Gigi Yelton, Director of Leisure Travel Sales, at 301-791-3246. Group Tour Magazine leads were sent on February 6, 2004. Hagerstown-Washington County was featured in the spring 2004 edition of Group Tour Magazine. Several of our members are in highlighted in the article and they will be receiving a copy. If you would like to see this article, please call Gigi Yelton or look at www.grouptour.com.
Prime Outlets at Hagerstown, LL Bean Factory Store and London Fog is hosting a GIVE A COAT, WARM A HEART Campaign from February 6 through March 15, 2004. Coats can be dropped off at Customer Service located in the Food Court, London Fog (Suite 305) and L.L. Bean Factory Store (Suite 875) during regular shopping hours. London Fog and L.L. Bean Factory Store has provided large storage bins in their stores for donations, providing a challenge for the citizens of Washington and Frederick County. "Our goal is to fill the storage bins full of clean used or new coats, hats and gloves where we can warm a heart to those in need," said Liza Gonzales, Marketing Manager for Prime Outlets Hagerstown. All donations will be given to CASA, Inc. for distribution. CASA, Inc. provides services for individuals and families in crisis of Washington County each year. Over 2000 people are in need of coats, many of those being children and teens. All donations can help Prime Outlets Hagerstown, L.L. Bean Factory Store, London Fog, CASA, Inc. warm a heart of a citizen of Washington County
The November/December 2003 issue of "American Cowboy" magazine featured a full-page story and photograph of 17-year-old Andy Rotz, a trick roper from Hagerstown. During the Wild West Arts Club Convention last March in Las Vegas, Nev., Rotz broke the Guinness World Record for performing consecutive Texas Skips after spinning his rope for three hours and ten minutes without a break. His practice paid off, enabling him to more than double and nearly triple the former world record. Rotz's family owns and runs Antietam Recreation. At their children's day camp, Andy heads up the Western activities and events, and performs on occasion for the campers.
On May 1-2, 2004,
the Museum Association will be holding a Hagerstown-Washington County
Museum Ramble. Various museums across the county will be open from 10am
-5pm. There will be a self-guided tour of our county's museums and light
refreshments will be served at some of them. Most of the museums will
be waiving their regular fee for those two days. Please try to come and
support your local museums. We encourage you to stop in our visitor center
where we will provide coffee and snacks so you can begin your tour and
pick up a map. Please contact Gigi Yelton, Director of Leisure Travel
Sales, at 301-791-3246 if you have any questions or if you are a museum
or historical site and would like to participate. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Resort, Williamsport, MD, is offering a special "Salute To Maryland School System" weekend Friday April 30 - May 2, 2004. Those with proof of Employment with a Maryland School System I.D. can enjoy FREE camping or 1/2 off any cabin reservation. Call 1-800-421-7166 for more information. Visit the CVB's online Calendar or Events for a complete list of events being held in Washington County. If you would like to receive a supply of the brochure-version, contact Lisa Carle at 301-791-3246. Click Here For the Calendar.
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