(BALTIMORE – March 21, 2025)—Visit Baltimore, the official destination sales and marketing organization for the City of Baltimore, announced its initial leadership transition plan, which was unanimously approved by the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Board (BCTB) on March 19, 2025. Effective July 1, 2025, Kireem Swinton, currently Vice President of Sales & Customer Experience at Visit Baltimore, will assume the role of Interim President and CEO.
“The transition committee of the BCTB developed the ideal plan for ensuring Visit Baltimore moves forward in a seamless and positive way,” said Charles “Chuck” Tildon, III. “The decision to elevate Kireem to Interim President & CEO reflects the board’s commitment to maintaining a strong, award-winning organizational culture while ensuring continued success in driving critical economic impact for the city.”
Swinton brings a wealth of experience in tourism and hospitality, making him a perfect fit for the position. A Washington, D.C. native and respected leader in the Baltimore market, he has built a distinguished career spanning two decades in senior roles with Marriott Hotels and Visit Seattle. As Vice President of Sales & Customer Experience at Visit Baltimore, Swinton has been instrumental in securing major citywide bookings, including the highly anticipated 2033 American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting & Exposition—an event known for elevating its host cities on the national stage. He has also cultivated strong partnerships with hoteliers, industry leaders and national organizations, further positioning Baltimore as a premier destination for meetings and conventions. With his knowledge of Baltimore’s countless assets, extensive industry relationships and proven leadership experience, Swinton is well-prepared to guide the organization through this transition.
“I’m honored to step into this interim role to lead a dynamic team that continues to position Baltimore as a world-class destination,” said Swinton. “As we move forward, I am committed to amplifying Baltimore’s positive stories, fostering relationships across the city and driving innovative strategies that attract major conventions and leisure visitors at this exciting time in our city’s history.”
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott praised the transition plan, emphasizing the importance of continuity and strong leadership in the city’s tourism sector.
“Baltimore has achieved record-breaking visitation numbers in recent years, and I have full confidence in Kireem’s ability to continue this momentum as the interim leader for Visit Baltimore,” said Mayor Scott. “Kireem has the experience and know-how to see us through the transition, ensuring the city loses no ground as a destination of choice.”
Al Hutchinson, who announced earlier this year that he would not renew his contract after June 30, 2025, will remain in a consulting role with the organization for at least six months to support a smooth transition.
“I commend the BCTB for selecting Kireem Swinton as Interim President & CEO of Visit Baltimore,” said Al Hutchinson. “His skills, expertise, and industry knowledge make him the perfect choice. I’m proud of what we’ve built together so far, and I look forward to supporting the board, Kireem, and our best-in-class team through this transition to ensure that Baltimore’s tourism industry continues to thrive.”
With a solid leadership team in place and a clear transition strategy, Visit Baltimore is well-positioned to continue driving positive economic impact by promoting the city as a vibrant and welcoming destination. The BCTB will assess the success of the transition plan before the end of 2025 and make adjustments at that time as needed.
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.
