Newly-hired Executive Director Liz Mildenstein definitely does not want the county’s nonprofit tourism organization Visit St. Mary’s to fly under the radar.
“I think it’s really important that we’re not a best kept secret,” said Mildenstein, who has been on the job since February. “Our 2025 goal is to increase community engagement. I want to make sure people understand that Visit St. Mary’s is a partner and an advocate for all of our attractions, hospitality and restauranteurs.”
The St. Mary’s County commissioners feel the same way by approving memorandum of understanding with the organization in the amount of $480,312 for fiscal 2025. The memorandum is an annual agreement that expires June 30 of each year.
The amount, which will be dispersed in four payments, is the same that was awarded for this current fiscal year.
In 2017, the commissioners created a separate nonprofit to carry out tourism duties on behalf of the county and entered into a 10-year agreement with Visit St. Mary’s a year later.
“Area attractions and offerings are expanding including new and renovated hotels, the conference center at University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland SMART Building and the growth of the regional airport,” Mildenstein said.
Chris Kaselemis, the county’s economic development director, added there was a 17% increase in 2023 hotel tax revenue compared to 2022.
“I’m happy to hear you’ve had a 17% growth and we also know that COVID had a big, big impact,” said Commissioner Mike Hewitt (R), who filled in for Commissioner President Randy Guy (R) to lead the meeting, “but do we know where [the tax increase is now]?”
Kaselemis said, “Obviously it took a dip after COVID, but it’s been coming up steadily.”
“The bottom line is that we want you to do well, and we want you to be rewarded when you do well, and we want to be giving you more money when you’re doing well,” Hewitt said.
Commissioner Eric Colvin (R) said the accommodation tax was down 49% in March compared to a year ago, which he said was “alarming,” but added that “at the same time I don’t think Visit St. Mary’s should be judged solely on occupancy of hotels.”
Commissioner Mike Alderson Jr. (R) asked how much revenue tourism was bringing in, and though he did not have the numbers at hand, said it is “a big part of our economy, it’s very significant.”
Commissioner Scott Ostrow (R), who joined the meeting by teleconference while on vacation, asked if there were any specific plans for the Lexington Park area.
“We absolutely recognize that regionally every part of St. Mary’s County comes with its own unique offerings,” Mildenstein said. “Lexington Park is no different. We are certainly trying to draw folks to those attractions as we would any other attractions in the area.”
She added Visit St. Mary’s recently produced a “what to do in St. Mary’s in 24 hours” video, which focused on St. Inie’s Coffee in Lexington Park and Historic St. Mary’s City.
Mildenstein also spoke about the inaugural Cuisine and Culture event that will take place June 29 in Lexington Park.
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