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PGC TOURISM NEWS & NOTES 
MARCH 2015
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.
YUM!!! EXPERIENCE, EXPAND, EXPLORE PRINCE GEORGE'S WITH THIS DELICIOUS, GLUTEN-FREE APP-PETIZER 
Mobile tourism app provides easy access to dining options, attractions, events, hotels, and more...
 
The CVB's ExplorePGC app puts Prince George's County at your fingertips with quick and easy access to the many amenities that make Prince George's a wonderful place to visit, live, work, play, and do business. Experience attractions, events, dining, and hotels at your fingertips. The FREE ExplorePGC mobile app is available on
GREAT TASTE OF PRINCE GEORGE'S RETURNS WITH 2ND ANNUAL RESTAURANT WEEK, MARCH 2-8
Special County-wide dining experience at select restaurants for one week only - including National Harbor... 

Experience the many flavors of Prince George's during the 2nd Annual Prince George's County Restaurant Week, March 2-8. This year's event also features an array of restaurants at National Harbor.  

 

Restaurant Week's "Taste of TNI" tasting event will kick things off on Sunday, March 1 from 4-7 pm at Bladensburg High School. It will feature participating restaurants and establishments (some off the beaten path). In addition, there will be cooking demonstrations by students in the Bladensburg High School Culinary Arts Program.

Learn more about Restaurant Week>>

Learn more about Restaurant Week at National Harbor>>

MARCH MADNESS HAPPENS HERE IN PRINCE GEORGE'S WITH CAA WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP, MAR 12-15  
Ten teams compete for the CAA title and a berth in the 2015 NCAA Division I Women's Tournament...     
If you're a college hoops fan, there's no month like March. Teams battling for position, conference championships in full affect, and the start of the NCAA tournament looming large. Prince George's County is in the midst of March Madness with the 2015 CAA Women's Basketball Championship, March 12-15 at Show Place Arena. Tickets avail thru Ticketmaster and at the Show Place Arena box office. For additional info, 301-952-7900.
 
Show your "Wegs" card: Special ticket discounts - exclusively at the Show Place Arena box office - for Wegmans Shoppers Club card holders. 
THANKS TO UMD'S BIG PLAY IN BIG 10, COUNTY WILL HAVE TWO TEAMS IN THE BIG DANCE  
Both Maryland Women's and Men's teams are locks to make this year's NCAAs...      
Amid the uncertainty of being a rookie in the Big 10, the University of Maryland's battle cry - THINK BIG - could not be more prophetic.
 
Who could have imagined this? First year on the big stage, facing a slew of b'ball powerhouses, the UMD Women are #1 and UMD Men are #2 respectively in the conference. In fact, the UMD Women have yet to lose a game in conference play and have already won the regular season title. They're nationally-ranked #5 in the country. The UMD Men are nationally-ranked Top 15 and just defeated the #5 team in the country. We're impressed!
 
Good luck and positive energy from the PGC faithful to UMD Basketball in the upcoming Big 10 Women's Tournament (Mar 4-8), Big 10 Men's Tournament (Mar 11-15), and utlimately, the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments. THINK BIG!
WITH CHAP AND RIGGS BRIDE FAVORITES, UMD A PRIME DESTINATION FOR NUPTIALS
UMD Chapel recently ranked as one of the most beautiful college wedding venues...   
The University of Maryland represents more than just education; it is one of the top destinations in PGC. With it's beautiful grounds and elegant buildings, UMD is also hot and heavy for weddings. Recently, College Ranker listed the UMD Memorial Chapel as one of the Most Beautiful College Campus Wedding Venues in the country.
 
And, while on a knot-tying tip, we would be remiss in not mentioning the elegant Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center - another outstanding venue for weddings on the UMD campus. The Riggs Center, designed by world-renowned architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen, features lush gardens, breathtaking interiors, and space to accommodate up to 1,000 people - suitable for a variety of events, large and small.  

 

Bride & Groom Alert...the Riggs Center will be holding a special "Wedding Open House" on March 1, 11-2 pm.

Click here to register. 

NEW "Q" ON TAP THIS SPRING FOR VISTA GARDENS IN BOWIE

Maryland-bred BBQ joint continues regional growth, will debut in PGC within coming weeks...         
Urban Bar-B-Que Company will settle into Prince George's shortly. The traditional-style BBQ outpost, that's made a strong name for itself with Q fans and dining critics, will be adding its sixth location at Vista Gardens Marketplace in Bowie. It fills the 1,922 square foot storefront of departed Elevation Burger.
 
UBC anticipates the V-Gardens location to open any day now. This location is developed under UBC's strategic partnership with Ledo Pizza Systems. Coincidentally, Ledo Pizza & Pasta at V-Gardens is just a few storefronts over.   
WORK IN PROGRESS, NEW "DOUBLETREE" SCHEDULED TO DEBUT THE SPRING
Radisson Largo transitioning to Hilton-brand, new DT-flag debuts May 1st... 
In a couple of months, the popular Radisson Hotel Largo will re-emerge as a new Doubletree by Hilton.
 
The prop (in a twist of hospitality deja vu - it was once a "DoubleTree Club Hotel" back in the day) will feature all-new amenities and dressing befitting the DoubleTree brand. During the transition, the property will remain open and operational. Read more>>

 

Now, on to the big question of the day for any DT fan...cookies?  For those "sweet-tooth" challenged, no confirmation as yet whether this represents the return of those signature DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies. But, if patience is not your virtue, you can order them online.
OTI SET TO MULTIPLY, PREPARES FOR LARGO LANDING AT AVI
Upper Marlboro's Olde Towne Inn to open sister location at the AVI Hotel Largo...  
The Olde Towne Inn (OTI) on Main is a staple of the Upper Marlboro/South County dine scene. Now, OTI will expand its wings and open a second location, OTI Grill & Bar at the AVI Hotel Largo. Projected opening is March 2nd. A local favorite for its classic American & Seafood cuisine, warm atmosphere, busy cocktail hour, and jazz scene, OTI is owned and operated by Chef/Restaurateur Donnell Long. 
 
OTI Grill & Bar at AVI will fill 4k sf of unused restaurant space and will have a dedicated entrance. The vibe will be modern & chic, highlighted by warm tones and textures. The menu will replicate the popular dishes of the Upper Marlboro spot, with a few possible additions. It will feature private dining rooms and large party catering opps for up to 200 people. Entertainment is on the bill, so look for jazz and song key nights of the week.  
 
The re-emergence of a dine outlet at the prop is appropriate and timely as the AVI will be transitioning into a full-service Best Western Premier. Anticipated re-launch as BWP is April 2015.  
FIRST HOTEL PROP AT WOODMORE TOWNE MOVES CLOSER TO REALITY
Proposed Hampton Inn & Suites is the first of two planned hotels for WTC...   
Hotel development is finally moving forward at Woodmore Towne Centre @ Glenarden. A Detailed Site Plan was recently submitted for the first entry of two proposed props for WTC. On deck is a 4-story, 106-room Hampton Inn & Suites. Located on a 4+ acre trac, the hotel will be near Wegmans (actually just behind Wegs) with frontage on the Capital Beltway near the I-95/Landover Road interchange. Hotel access will be from St. Joseph's Drive and Ruby Lockhart Blvd, and through WTC's main street. There will be no access directly off the Beltway. 
 
As mentioned, the overall plan for WTC consists of two hotels. The second hotel, if and when built, will be a full service property and conference center, with up to 254 guest rooms.
PROPOSED D&B BRINGS GAME-N-GRUB VIBE TO CAP HEIGHTS RETAIL TRAC
Dave & Buster's headed to Ritchie Station Marketplace, part of continued expansion just off the Beltway...   

What was first suggested as far back as 2012 is now firmly on the PGC menu. Dave & Buster's is headed to Prince George's in the not so distant future. The address is the Ritchie Station Marketplace in Capitol Heights. Placement is perfect as RSM is directly off the Capital Beltway - an added plus for locals, visitors, and tour operators. Moving forward, according to NAI Michaels Co. (owner/operator of RSM), additional dine spots (and entertainment elements) are under consideration for RSM's expanding development mix. Read more>>

 

D&B combines dining and entertainment and offers customers the opportunity to "Eat Drink Play and Watch," all in one location. D&B offers a full menu of "Fun American New Gourmet" entrees and appetizers, a full selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and an extensive assortment of entertainment attractions centered around playing games and watching live sports and other televised events. D&B currently has stores in 30 states and Canada. 
 
 

A game changer - D&B at RSM represents only the second outlet in the entire DMV/B'more metroplex, and the first in PGC. The other regional operating location is at Arundel Mills in Hanover. 

BY THE NUMBERS: TOURISM'S IMPACT IN PGC
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 - Over 6 Million
  • Total Tourism Employment - Over 31,000
  • Total Tourism Tax Receipts (combined Federal, State/Local, Hotel) - $565,700,000
  • Admission/Amusement Taxes Collected - $15,860,936
  • Room Taxes Collected - $20,573,759
  • Tourism Promotion Act State Sales Taxes - $52,408,296
  • Total Direct Consumer Tax Impact - $88,842,991

Source: Tourism Economics, December 2014
EXCITING EVENTS ON THE DECK THIS MONTH IN PRINCE GEORGE'S

Extraordinary things are happening every day in Prince George's. Here's a taste. Click each for details and visit us online (or on app) for more. 

 

mar 2-8 PRINCE GEORGE'S RESTAURANT WEEK Countywide

mar 2-7 NATIONAL HARBOR RESTAURANT WEEK National Harbor

mar 10-11 SPRING BIG BAND SHOWCASE The Clarice

mar 12-15 CAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Show Place Arena

mar 13 PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY SPELLING BEE The Clarice

mar 14 PATUXENT RESEARCH REFUGE BIRTHDAY BASH National Wildlife Visitor Center
mar 14 HEATWAVE IN CONCERT Harmony Hall Regional Center
mar 20-22 16TH ANNUAL LINCOLN ASSASSINATION SYMPOSIUM Surratt House Museum
mar 21 20TH ANNIVERSARY GALA Joe's Movement Emporium

mar 27-28 KING OF KINGS: EASTER PRODUCTION Evangel Cathedral

mar 28 WORLD DANCE SHOWCASE Publick Playhouse

mar 29 JEFF MAJORS IN CONCERT Publick Playhouse

 

   
9200 Basil Court, Suite 101

Largo, MD 20774

301.925.8300 | visitorinfo@co.pg.md.us

 

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