Where: Dorchester Center for the Arts
321 High Street, Cambridge, MD 21613

When: Wednesday, May 22, 10:30 am – 3:00 pm

2024 is the 60^th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement in Maryland and we celebrate National Tour & Travel Week May 19 – 25!

Join the Maryland Tourism Coalition on the Eastern Shore on May 22 as we discuss events that took place during Maryland’s Civil Rights Movement. Keynote Speaker Dion Banks will talk about Gloria Richardson and the Pine Street burning. A panel discussion of upcoming events happening across the state, best practice,s and how to get involved.  The day will include lunch and a walking tour of downtown Cambridge.

Make it an overnight and explore Cambridge! The Comfort Inn Cambridge is offering a $99 room rate (plus tax and fees) for both Tuesday and Wednesday night.  Book now https://bit.ly/3xlNtR1

Registration is $65 for Members/$85 for Non-Members if you register before May 15. On May 15, rates will increase to $75 for Member/$95 for Non-Members. Student Rate is $30.

Reminder that you do need to be logged into Personify in order to get your discounted rate. If you need assistance, please email Stuart Rice stuart@mdtourism.org

Note: As of May 1, MTC is implementing a 3% credit card fee for processing credit card payments. Checks and ACH are accepted.

Agenda

As of 4.24.24 Subject to Change

Tuesday, May 21

3:00 pm – check in at hotel at Comfort Inn Cambridge (optional)
5:30pm – 8:30 pm Shuttle bus service to downtown Cambridge

Wednesday, May 22

10:30 am – 11:00 am – Registration/Network with Sponsors
Attendees will be greeted with songs from Singer/Songwriter Linda Harris 

11:00 am – 11:10 am – MTC & Dorchester County Welcome from Holly Gilpin

11:10 am – 12:00 pm – Panel of DMO’s/ Maryland Heritage Areas/OTD on the upcoming anniversary of the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement in Maryland
• Upcoming events across the State
• How to get involved
• How to attract visitors during this time

Moderator: Michele Johnson, Director, Maryland 250 Commission

Panelists: 
Theresa Donnelly, Writer & Content Developer, Department of Commerce Office of Tourism
Daesha Elliott, Marketing Associate & Website Support, Department of Commerce Office of Tourism
Holly Gilpin, Director of Tourism, Dorchester County Tourism
Jan F. Lee, Director of Marketing and Communications, Banneker-Douglass Museum & Maryland Commission of African American History and Culture.

12:00 pm – 12:45 pm – Box Lunch provided by: Paul Subs

12:45 pm – 1:45 pm – Presentation by Dion Banks

1:45 pm – 2:00 pm Break before Walking Tour

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Walking Tour with Dion Banks
Walking tour of the Pine Street community, reflecting on many years of social, cultural, and economic vitality. A specific focus of the walking tour is the civil unrest experienced in Cambridge during the 1960s.

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm Wrap Up & Thank You
Return back to Dorchester Center for the Arts for wrap up and door prizes!

Accomodations

Keynote Speaker: Dion D. Banks

Dion endeavors to live a life of service, acting as a conduit for awareness, development, and empowerment. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Kentucky and earned a Bachelor of Arts in business management while serving in the U.S. Army. During his career in the military, Dion earned The Army Achievement Medal, The Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal – Saudi Arabia, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal – Kuwait.

He is a lifetime member of the Dorchester County NAACP, has served on numerous boards for service organizations, and is president and co-founder of Eastern Shore Network for Change (ESNC). In the summer of 2022, Larry Hogan appointed him to The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture. He also serves as a board member for Cambridge Waterfront Development, Inc.

Dion’s passion for fairness and equality ensures that all stakeholders are represented and have a seat at the table. He hosted a White House Roundtable on Renewable Energy for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, served as a Maryland Thermal Energy Taskforce member, and participated in Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley’s trade mission to Brazil. As an influencer for social and environmental issues, Dion elevates the city of Cambridge by sharing its unique history with the rest of the world by creating educational experiences that tell a story of hope, faith, community, and change.

Currently, Dion Banks serves as Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for Ecoremedy, LLC® and brings more than two decades of international business experience to the Ecoremedy team.

Sponsorship Opportunities & Benefits

PRESENTING SPONSOR – $2,500

● Complimentary registration for 4
● Name & Logo recognition on MTC’s Spring Seminar webpage
● Name & Logo recognition on-site at event, social media & e-newsletters
● On-site Signage
● Exhibitor table on site at event
● Logo placement in event program
● Opportunity to speak from podium during the event

PREMIER – $1,100

● Complimentary registration for 2
● Name & Logo recognition on MTC’s Spring Seminar webpage
● Name & Logo recognition on-site at event, social media & e-newsletters
● On-site Signage
● Exhibitor table onsite at event
● Recognition from podium during the event

PATRON – $600

● Complimentary registration for 1
● Name & Logo recognition on MTC’s Spring Seminar webpage
● Name & Logo recognition on-site at event, social media & e-newsletters
● On-site Signage
● Recognition from podium during the event

SUPPORTER – $300

● Name & Logo recognition on MTC’s Spring Seminar webpage
● Name & Logo recognition on-site at event, social media & e-newsletters
● On-site Signage
● Recognition from podium during the event

Sponsored by:

Hosts

Premier Sponsors

Supporter