ExPGC Tourism News & Notes
is presented by Experience Prince George's, the official Destination Marketing Organization of Prince George's County, Maryland.
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A Message from Experience Prince George’s CEO Leslie W. Graves: |
Happy New Year Partners!
2021 is upon us and we’re ushering it in with a sense of value and verve.
We started the year with our second annual New Year’s Toast on January 7th to encourage everyone to stay hopeful and proactive about the future, and to know that collectively we will continue to push forward.
While 2020 knocked many of us on our side, one thing our team was able to navigate was our ability to remain purposeful and intentional for you – the hospitality and tourism industry.
We are resilient! Restaurants around the county are serving some of the best dishes – for take out and curbside pickup – to keep you cozy during these cooler days, and retail shops are offering the fashionable threads you need to feel like yourself whether you’re primarily staying at home, or taking a stroll outside.
Fresh air fun is readily available amongst our many parks, and a host of online activities are surfacing to keep you and your family entertained.
Changes are also on the horizon. Public health advancements are being made with the COVID-19 vaccine; new businesses are under development; and people are coming together to support each other in different ways.
Restaurant Relief funds are currently available and later this month, the County Executive will release additional funds to provide direct assistance to Prince George’s County hotels.
Amid everything, we are attuned to the upcoming Inauguration that will undoubtedly become a significant mark in our history as recent events have underscored the fragility of our democracy and our vulnerability as a nation. As January 20th approaches, we implore you to stay safe, aware and uplifted.
In closing, we ask that you join us in keeping the economy robust and our county on the forefront of everyone’s mind.
Your tourism and hospitality champion,
Leslie W. Graves
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The County is currently in Phase 1A of its COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, with the majority of vaccines going to hospitals, healthcare workers and long-term care facilities at this time.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and are the final tool that we need to end this pandemic. Know the facts about the vaccines from our public health officials and stay updated with the latest information at health.mypgc.us/COVIDVaccine.
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BGE announced that it is pledging $15 million to assist small businesses with COVID-19 relief and recovery. Starting in January 2021, eligible businesses located in BGE's central Maryland service area can begin applying for BGE Energizing Small Business Grants of up to $20,000 each. The grants program is a multi-year commitment and is expected to run through at least 2023.
· Round 1: January 20 - March 3, 2021
· Round 2: May 5 - June 16, 2021
· Round 3: September 1 - October 13, 2021
To be eligible, a business must have between two and 25 employees, less than $7 million in annual revenue, a demonstrated need for support, a strong plan for moving forward, and be in good standing with the state of Maryland.
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The County Executive allocated an additional $3.3 million to the Restaurant Resiliency Fund to assist restaurants and food service establishments that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fund has been reopened until January 22nd at 5:00 pm for new applicants. |
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Here's what experts predict; There's only one thing that travelers should expect in 2021 with any certainty; It's uncertainty. |
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Close to half of the country’s states have instituted some form of restriction on travelers entering from out of state—whether they be quarantine or testing requirements. Here is a state-by-state breakdown of the interstate travel restrictions, or lack thereof, to be found throughout the union as we head into January 2021. |
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Our local restaurants are in need of your support! Challenge yourself to Dine Local and experience some of the flavors and dishes Prince George’s County has to offer!
Please call or visit respective restaurants online and thru their social media channels.
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It's a new year and a new opportunity to support our local shops and boutiques. Businesses are still in need of your support to remain open! We have compiled an updated list of local shops and personal services to make it easy to support the Prince George's business establishments. |
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Brian Sullivan is anchor of CNBC’s Worldwide Exchange and senior national correspondent for the network. While he recently made five predictions for 2021 through the lens of the financial market, what he sees in his crystal ball gives the face-to-face events industry reason for optimism.
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In-person gatherings will resume eventually, but innovations born during the pandemic will remain.
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2021 is looking very promising as soon as the world will be vaccinated. The hospitality industry is all about smiling at the guests and knowing them well; we should not forget it. I am sure that, in 2021, we will smile again at our guests, and they will smile back at us without a mask. |
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Many will be facing limited travel budgets in 2021 so properties will need to appeal to value travelers who will be in search of low rates but also willing to spend a little bit more if it means an improved quality of stay, safer experience and increased flexibility or benefits. |
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CNBC analyzed 11 popular hotel rewards credit cards using an average American’s annual spending budget and digging into the perks and drawbacks to find the best of the best based on your travel habits. |
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Are you still in the holiday spirit!? "Upon A Star" is a perfect holiday concert for the entire family. The program includes a variety of fun holiday selections, some of which are audience sing-a-longs. Get cozy and enjoy the show! |
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Add your artistic voice to this Inspirational Dance Festival community of healing, comfort, and gratitude in this uplifting at home dance challenge. Using the theme “What the World Needs Now”, share your vision through dance on ways the community can heal together.
Application Deadline: February 15, 2021
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NextNOW WinterFest will be a midwinter interlude of events, showcases and activities that feature University of Maryland student artists! Like NextNOW Fest, WinterFest continues to celebrate imagination, creativity and community in a virtual setting.
REGISTER NOW for early access to the lineup later this month! By registering, you'll also receive daily access information during WinterFest.
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In partnership with The University of Maryland 's Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Joes Emporium Movement will broadcast a live reading of a Maryland's Science fiction play Friday, January 14th at 7pm.
Tickets for the show is pay-what-you-can beginning at $5.
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Sign up today for the Virtual Homeschool Science Clubs! During the month of February, students will study BIRDS! Students will be led by a Park Naturalist with hands-on crafts, experiments, live animal encounters, rich lessons, and more. Every class has hands-on activities that are provided in kit form that are available for pickup at Watkins Nature Center a week before class.
Must register no later than January 31, 2021.
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This virtual experience will allow young minds to explore everything galactic! You will be able to create fun crafts, enjoy themed snacks & challenges, learn about space topics such as the Aurora Borealis, and dive into an imaginative, space-themed story. |
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Despite having a controversial season, The Washington Football Team became the NFC East champions and went on to play in a play-off wild card game. Although their season is over, they are eager for their comeback next season, going by the slogan, "We're on our way up". |
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The Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, has been included in Aquatics International Magazine’s 2020 Best of the Best for its COVID-19 Response and Reopening Plan.
The publication recognized 10 aquatic teams across the country that have adapted to increase safety, inclusion and satisfaction among visitors, community and staff during the pandemic.
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COVID-19 has, perhaps permanently, changed the landscape of our daily lives, prompting dramatic shifts in the way that businesses reach their customers, and how the public accesses products and services.
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MangoLina is Bringing the Sweets to Hyattsville |
MangoLina made it to Maryland! They are now open and located at 1527 B University Blvd E, Hyattsville MD! Specializing in smoothies juices and as a dessert shop, this is a one-stop shop for Mango Madness. |
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Dwayne Eugene Martin, a multimedia artist who works out of Red Dirt Studio on 34th Street, has a show called “Rise” at the Honfleur Gallery in Anacostia. His pieces on the history of African-American exploitation have gained notice from the Washington Post.
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The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) joins the ranks of elite park and recreation agencies across the country by earning national accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). |
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BabyFe Bilingual Learning Center is a quality childcare for children from 6 weeks to 5 years old. BabyFe Bilingual offers Spanish Immersion for the Infant and Toddler classrooms. PreK3 and PreK4 classrooms will experience bilingual preparation for Kindergarten and beyond.
Register for the waitlist now to lock in discounted, promotional pricing before their Grand Opening in Summer 2021!
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Firefighters, emergency personnel and other essential workers in Prince George’s County received free lunches as a sign of gratitude for their service during the coronavirus pandemic. |
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EXPERIENCE PRINCE GEORGE'S
9200 Basil Court, Suite 101, Largo, MD 20774
301.925.8300 | info@experiencepgc.com
Visit us online at:
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