VISIT BALTIMORE PRESIDENT & CEO AL HUTCHINSON ANNOUNCES LONG-TERM TRANSITION PLAN AFTER MORE THAN EIGHT TRANSFORMATIVE YEARS
(BALTIMORE – February 12, 2025) — To leave at the top of his game makes his exit all the more meaningful. He will be among other legends of African American descent, like the late great Carroll Armstrong of the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association, who performed iconic work in the realm of tourism. These men – and others – have served gallantly as the face of Baltimore to the rest of the world.
Visit Baltimore, the official destination sales and marketing organization for the city of Baltimore, announced last week that President & CEO Al Hutchinson has decided not to renew his contract when it expires on June 30, 2025. A committee made up of several members of the Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board (BCTB), led by Board Chair Charles “Chuck” Tildon, III, has been established to help ensure a smooth transition. Hutchinson has agreed to stay on in a consultant role to assist with the transition at least until his successor is identified. Additional details will be made available by the committee in the coming weeks.
“Serving as President & CEO of Visit Baltimore has been the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Hutchinson. “It has been the most challenging job that I’ve ever had and also the most fulfilling. After careful consideration, I’ve decided to step back from full-time executive leadership to focus on other personal interests and opportunities, once my existing contract concludes. Baltimore’s potential as a premier destination continues to flourish, and the foundation we’ve built over the past several years ensures that our city’s tourism industry will continue to thrive.”
Under Hutchinson’s leadership, Visit Baltimore achieved numerous milestones that transformed the city’s tourism landscape, including:
-
Record-breaking visitation of 27.5 million visitors in 2023, with domestic travel generating $4 billion for the city’s economy
-
Winning the bid to host the prestigious 2033 American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting and Exposition, projected to generate $15-$18 million in economic impact for Baltimore
-
Establishing a Tourism Improvement District, which provides additional resources directly from the city’s hotels towards sales and marketing efforts that generate tax revenue from visitors
-
Leading a full marketing rebrand and launching “Smalltimore,” an innovative mobile visitor center that showcases Baltimore’s arts, history and culture
-
Fostering initiatives built on social inclusion, such as the Warm Welcome Program, BoP Pass, Apprenticeships and an enduring National HBCU Scholarship
-
Securing Baltimore as the host city for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament, which generated $32.5 million in economic impact, $3.1 million in state and local taxes, and created 1,315 part-time and full-time jobs in 2024. CIAA will return to Baltimore February 25-March 1 for the fifth year and is committed to the city through 2026.
“Al’s vision and dedication have been instrumental in elevating Baltimore’s profile on the national stage,” said Tildon. “Under his leadership, we’ve seen Baltimore transform into a destination that not only attracts significant leisure visitation but also draws marquee conventions and events that drive critical economic impact for the city. His most enduring legacy is the world-class team he has built and the collaborative culture he has fostered within the organization.”
During Hutchinson’s eight years in Baltimore, the organization has strengthened community partnerships by highlighting local artists and makers while celebrating local visionaries who have enhanced the city’s cultural landscape and tourist appeal.
“Under Al’s transformative leadership, Baltimore’s tourism industry has thrived, bringing visitors, investment and new opportunities to our city,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “We are grateful for Al’s many contributions to Baltimore. His commitment to telling positive, community-focused stories that showcase the breadth and diversity of our neighborhoods has set the stage for a bright future.”
Baltimore’s tourism and hospitality industry has shown remarkable growth during Hutchinson’s tenure, and with a dedicated team in place, Visit Baltimore is well-positioned to build on this momentum and continue its positive trajectory.
ABOUT VISIT BALTIMORE
Visit Baltimore is the official sales and marketing arm for the City of Baltimore. The 501(c)(6) non-profit organization generates economic benefits for stakeholders through the attraction of convention, group and leisure visitors. In 2023, 27.5 million people visited Baltimore for overnight and day trips, generating a total of $4 billion to Baltimore’s economy. For more information, please visit Baltimore.org.
