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GET THE
INSIDE STORY
PGCTourism Newsletter
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PGC TOURISM NEWS & NOTES
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APRIL 2017
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Prince George's County Tourism News & Notes is presented by the Prince George's County Conference & Visitors Bureau (CVB), the official Destination Marketing Organization of Prince George's County, Maryland.
FOR BEST VIEW of PGC News&Notes (which is in browser), click
"Having trouble viewing this email?" tab atop the newsletter.
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A World-Class, Waterfront,
Culinary Event -
April 29-30
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IT'S PGC TIMES THREE AT ANNUAL "STARS OF THE INDUSTRY" AWARDS
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PGCC'S Denise Ware earns "Allied Member of the Year", county props earn two other awards...
Some of the best people, best properties in tourism & hospitality are here in Prince George's. Because we didn't have room for this mention in our last edition, we start the wonderful month of April with a virtual round of applause.
Congrats to our three 2017 MHLA Stars of the Industry award winners - as well as those nominated as Stars of the Industry.
Allied Member of the Year Award:
Denise Ware, Prince George's Community College, Hospitality Program
Lodging Employee Award:
Ivy Bondoc, College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
Support Department Employee of the Year (Div. 2)
Property/Company Award:
College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
Special Event
2017 "Stars of the Industry" Nominees from Prince George's include:
- Badr Moutanabi- Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
- Betty Comacho - Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
- Brittany Johnson - College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
- Denita Pittman - Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
- Eugene Whitaker - Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
- Mike Jones - Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
- Mike McCarthy - College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
- Patrick McWilliams - Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center
- Pavon Dixon - Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
MHLA winners who are eligible for the American Hotel & Lodging Association's awards program will be submitted as state nominees. Those selected as AH&LA winners will be honored on May 17th in DC.
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MGM GOES ALL IN TO HELP RAISE COIN FOR KIDS CANCER RESEARCH
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Chance For Life 2017 charity event at MGM features poker tournament, wine & chef tastings, and after party...
The
CHANCE FOR LIFE Charity Event for Childhood Cancer
will feature a 600-person Premium Poker Tournament, Wine & Chef's Tasting Reception, and iHeartRadio After Party.
Organizers describe the event as "a raucous, dynamic experience that is unlike any other in the Washington area."
The fundraiser is organized to fight against pediatric cancer, with 100 percent of all proceeds raised donated directly to fund cancer research through Children's National Hospital Center and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.
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PGC'S THIRD OFFICIAL WINERY NOW OPEN IN PLENTIFUL "BRANDYWINE"
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Janemark is a family affair located in the same region as two other county wineries...
It's official. The newest entry in the county's fine wine scene is open and bottling. Located on Bald Eagle School Road, Janemark Winery & Vineyard is the third winery to open along the Brandywine strip.
ON THE HORIZON...down PGC Wine Trail Way...The Vineyards of Robin Hill in Brandywine.
The vineyards at Robin Hill Farm were planted in early April of 2014. The five varieties include Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Vidal Blanc, Chardonnel, and Chambourcin. The operators plan to open the winery in October 2017.
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National Harbor PEEPS Day - April 8, 12 noon-4 pm
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CRITIC DECLARES NEW PGC DINE BEST SEAFOOD IN WASHINGTON DMV
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FISH by José Andrés has quickly become a dine favorite, and a noted Washington Post food writer is also a fan...
With its imaginative menu, unique libations, top service, and beautiful ambiance, this is dining on another level. Everything we imagined possible with the addition of MGM National Harbor to the PGC dine scene.
In short order, FISH by José Andrés - one of the signature dines at MGM, is earnestly creating what may be the
best seafood experience in the DMV.
Don't take our word for it; ask someone who knows a thing or two about the DMV dinescape.
Recently, veteran Washington Post food critic
Tom Sietsema
sampled, dined & dished at FISH.
The review - outstanding...
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GOOD TO THE LAST DROP, LOCAL ROASTER HEADS TO CHAMPIONSHIP
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Vigilante Coffee's Chris Vigilante will compete in US Coffee Championships in Seattle this month...
Its not the size of the cup, its what's in it that counts. So, we salute the wonderful coffee commandos of Vigilante Coffee Company (VCC) in Hyattsville.
Earlier this year, Team Vigilante competed
in the 2017
CoffeeChamps competition in Knoxville, TN., a qualifier for the big dance.
It was VCC's first time participating in CoffeeChamps. They faced some of the country's best coffee maestros in categories that included the Barista Competition (Chris Vigilante, Austin Redington), Brewers Cup Competition (Sebastian Lima), and Roasters Competition (Chris Vigilante).
A learning experience for all, we're happy to say they didn't come home empty handed. Chris Vigilante was one of the top finishers in the Roasters Competition.
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WE'RE EXPECTING: VIGILANTE DELIVERING CP SIBLING LATER THIS YEAR
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Homegrown coffee outpost could open in College Park by late summer...
While we're on the java train, the aforementioned Vigilante Coffee Company (VCC) will be extending its reach to "college town" later this year.
VCC has agreed to lease the 1,400 sqft storefront at 8200 Baltimore Ave (from the University of MD). Located adjacent to the UMD campus, the vacant storefront was acquired by UMD as part of its Greater College Park Initiative (GCPI). GCPI is a $2 billion public-private investment partnership to revitalize the Baltimore Avenue (Route 1) corridor and the academic campus.
T
his will be VCC's second brick-n-mortar location. Their eclectic first-born on Gallatin in Hyattville is a fan favorite. It is loved for outstanding coffee and conversation, and what you learn about coffee when you're there. The team at VCC knows a bean or two.
VCC hopes
to be operational in College Park by late summer.
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NEW PBS DOC HAS PREVIEW EVENT AT CPAM BEFORE OFFICIAL AIRING
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Special advance screening of clips from documentary "THE GREAT WAR" to be held at Aviation Museum complex, April 5...
In conjunction with the 100th anniversary of America's entry into
World War I (
on April 6, 1917), THE GREAT WAR, a six-hour documentary presented over three nights, explores how WWI changed America and the world. It is schedule to premiere nationwide on PBS, April 10.
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PRECEDING THAT...you can see an official advance screening of select segments a week prior.
The College Park Aviation Museum (CPAM) complex will host this special viewing at their Airport Operations Building, 2nd Floor, on April 5, 7 pm.
The 40-minute screening at CPAM features clips exploring the experiences of minorities in WWI. Following the presentation, guests are invited to enjoy light refreshments and visit the exhibit "Over Here and Over There: College Park during World War I" in the College Park Aviation Museum next door. The evening is FREE with a suggested donation of $5/person.
THE GREAT WAR draws on the latest scholarship, including unpublished diaries, memoirs and letters. It tells the rich and complex story of WWI through the voices of nurses, journalists, aviators and the American troops who came to be known as "doughboys."
The series also explores the experiences of African-American and Latino soldiers, suffragists, Native-American "code talkers" and others whose participation in the war to "make the world safe for democracy" which has been largely forgotten.
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TO AID CONVENTIONEERS AROUND MASSIVE PROP, GNAT ADOPTS APP
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New "Navigate Gaylord Hotels" will provide easy access and 3-D mapping...
The technology, u
tilizing iBeacon and advanced indoor 3-D mapping
from MeetingPlay's AppAtlas platform, will apply to all Gaylord resorts, including the Gaylord Rockies in Colorado which is scheduled to open in late 2018.
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PGC COMPANY PUTS "SIGN" ON MANY OF MID-ATLANTIC'S HOT SPOTS
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Art Display Co. is a 2017 WBJ Family-Owned Business Award honoree...
The Art Display Company, the 70 years young sign biz located in Capitol Heights, has crafted, created and installed signage for some of the Mid-Atlantic region's most memorable projects.
Their work can be seen across the DMV and as far as Florida - including the neon at Wisconsin Place in Chevy Chase, Nationals Park, Circa at Foggy Bottom, Imagination Stage in Bethesda, McHenry Row in B'more, and at National Harbor, to name a few.
So, it is fitting (on the 7's) that the family-run company - that began in 1947 - is a Washington Business Journal 2017 Family-Owned Business Awards honoree (in its 70th year of opps)
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MARA-LIN: NO MATTER HOW YOU SAY IT, IT'S A MERRY LAND TO US
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British funnyman James Corden tries to figure out how to pronounce it properly...
Prince George's County is located in Maryland. And, depending on where you are in the county, state, or region, how MARYLAND is pronounced will depend on a variety of factors.
The traditional take is MERA-LAND. Not to be confused with MERRO-LIN (which slides off the tongue like grease on a hot skillet).
For the prim & proper, its MARY-LAND.
And, for that segment of our population that spins it "around the way" style, it's MER-LIN.
So, you can imagine the challenge outsiders have at getting it just right. Here's a short, but interesting dissection from James Corden - British funnyman, king of car karaoke, and host of The Late Late Show w/James Corden.
See video>>
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Montpelier Mansion & Art Center - April 29, 10-4 pm
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COMIC DISH TO DONUTS, HYATTSVILLE NATIVE MAKES GOOD ON VISION
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Currently starring and exec producing CBS sitcom, as well as appearing in a new HBO series...
As we close-out this edition of News&Notes, here's a little tidbit from our "HEY, WE KNOW THAT GUY!" file.
Locally-bred comedian, actor & writer Jermaine Fowler is everywhere in 2017. In addition to his varied projects, commercials, and stand-up comedy across the country, the 28-year-old is currently starring in the new CBS sitcom "Superior Donuts". He is also the series' co-executive producer.
In Superior Donuts, Fowler
plays Franco, an aspiring artist who goes to work at a doughnut shop owned by grumpmeister Arthur (
Judd Hirsch
) in a gentrifying Chicago neighborhood. The show is inspired by the play of the same name from Pulitzer Prize-winner Tracy Letts.
Fowler also has a recurring role in the zany new HBO comedy series
"Crashing"
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If you're asking, what's all this got to do with tourism? Simply put, wonderful people doing wonderful things is a wonderful reflection on PGC (and all that it we have to offer). Fowler, and many others raised and educated in PGC, are ambassadors thru their efforts and accomplishments. We appreciate the pride that Fowler has in being from places and spaces Prince George's. He grew up in Hyattsville, attended Northwestern HS/Class of 2006, and doesn't hesitate to give PGC positive shine in interviews and articles.
Thank you Jermaine and continued success.
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APRIL - EXCITING THINGS ARE HAPPENING THIS MONTH IN PGC
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Experience.Expand.Explore! Extraordinary things are HAPPENING this month and every month in Prince George's. The colored banners throughout "News&Notes" are just some of the many events on tap. Click them for more information and VISIT US ONLINE - ExperiencePrinceGeorges.com (or on the ExplorePrinceGeorges mobile app) for extended listings of events, exhibitions, and performances for the entire family.
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BY THE NUMBERS: TOURISM'S IMPACT IN PGC
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Prince George's County Tourism's impact - thru visitation and taxes generated - runs across every aspect of development including lodging, food & beverage, retail, recreation, major events, transportation, and transportation-related services.
- Visitors - 6.922 million
- Visits by Type - 52% Day; 48% Overnight
- Visitor Growth Rate - 6.2%
- Total Tourism Employment - 32,726
- Tourism Industry Sales - $2.612 billion
- Room Taxes Collected - $28.8 million
- Admission/Amusement Taxes Collected - $16.7 million
- Total Tourism Tax Receipts (combined Federal, State/Local, Hotel) - $638 million
Source: Tourism Economics, December 2016
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Largo, MD 20774
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