Baltimore Events

Some may be surprised by the recently reported optimistic outlook of the hospitality industry, but the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association isn't. After all, it recently announced that it booked 301,800 room nights this fiscal year for conventions that will occur over the next few years.

Baltimore's room night bookings have been steadily growing. In the BACVA Annual Report for Fiscal Years 2008-2009, the Convention Sales Department reported generating 451,608 definite room nights for the upcoming year, an 18 percent increase from the previous year. What's surprising, rather, is that the city is continuing to see great numbers in light of the struggling economy.

In a January 9 article from the The Baltimore Examiner, BACVA President Tom Noonan credited the new Hilton Baltimore hotel, which is linked to the convention center, and other hotel expansions for this surge in bookings. Add to this new attractions on the horizon and the city's proximity to Washington DC (a 2009 value meeting destination), and It seems Baltimore is poised to weather the poor economic climate well, becoming an even hotter meetings destination.