| experience.expand.explore |
|
|
GET THE
INSIDE STORY
PGCTourism Newsletter
|
 |
|
|
|
PGC TOURISM NEWS & NOTES
|
MARCH 2017
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOCALLY, MARCH MADNESS GETS UNDERWAY WITH THE BIG TEN & UMD
|
|
Big 10 Men's Tournament will be played nearby, March 8-12, at Verizon Center...
If you're a hoops fan, you know what time it is - MARCH MADNESS. Conference tournaments will soon get underway, influencing the brackets across the country for the 2017 NCAA Men's & Women's Basketball Tournaments.
With that in mind, we open with a shameless spread of affection for Terps Nation and our University of MD Mens & Womens Basketball programs.
No matter the outcome in conference play, both teams are destined to make the BIG DANCE - the 2017 NCAA Tournaments. GO TERPS!
|
|
CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING MAKES ITS DEBUT AT MGM THIS MONTH
|
|
Card features title bout with PGC's Gary Russell Jr. defendng his WBC World Featherweight crown...
IT'S ABOUT TO GO DOWN! Live boxing debuts at the MGM National Harbor on March 11 with two championship bouts.
Capitol Heights native
Gary Russell Jr. (27-1, 16 KOs)
puts his WBC Featherweight title on the line against top contender Oscar Escandon (25-2, 17 KOs).
COMING APRIL 8...a Ukrainian tripleheader. In the main event, two-division world champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and HBO Boxing's "Fighter of the Year" Vasyl Lomachenko (7-1, 5 KOs) will defend his WBO Junior Lightweight title against WBA Super Featherweight champion Jason Sosa (20-1-4, 15 KOs).
Also on the April 8 card is undefeated WBO Cruiserweight world champion and Olympic gold medalist Oleksandr Usyk (11-0, 10 KOs) defending his title against NABO Cruiserweight champ Mike Hunter (12-0, 8 KOs). And,
NABF Light Heavyweight champion
Oleksandr Gvozdyk takes on top ranked Yunieski Gonzalez (18-2, 14 KOs). The event will also be televised live on
HBO World Championship Boxing
.
Tickets are avail thru Ticketmaster
.
|
|
60 YEARS AND COUNTING, "AF" CONTINUES GROUNDBREAKING WORK
|
|
Foundation's efforts includes the living history museum, National Colonial Farm...
Earnest beginnings lead to wondrous achievements. The Accokeek Foundation (AF) is 60 years young and as spry as ever. Each year, AF presents some of the most amazing programs related to history, conservation, preservation, ecology, sustainable agriculture, and more. All done within one of the county's most tranquil settings, Piscataway National Park in Accokeek. It is also home to AF's living history museum, the National Colonial Farm, as well as the Ecosystem Farm.
AF was founded in 1957 to protect 6 miles of Potomac River shoreline (and the view across the Potomac from Mount Vernon). An educational nonprofit and one of the nation's first land trusts, AF is steward to over 200 acres of the Piscataway.
Often recognized for its outstanding work, AF is the first recipient of the American Alliance of Museum's Innovation in Museum Education Award.
During spring and summer, you can visit the National Colonial Farm, the Ecosysystem Farm, the Museum Garden, or experience one of many AF's programs and events Tue-Sun, 10-4 pm. Student and Group Tours are also welcomed. For additional info, call 301.283.2113 or visit AccokeekFoundation.org.
|
|
JAZZ SPRINGS ETERNAL, "LIVE" MUSIC SERIES RETURNS AT THE MAC
|
|
Intimate concert series returns for spring with ten lively performances...
It wouldn't be spring without a musical trip to what we affectionately call "The MAC" (Montpelier Arts Center). Located in Laurel, MAC is one of our favorite spaces for live music.
Played in an intimate club-like setting, MAC's acclaimed LIVE @ MONTPELIER Jazz Concert Series is h
eld in one of the center's galleries. There's not a bad seat in the house, art all around, great sound, and performers up close and personal. But, seating is limited and so are tickets.
The series runs every Friday March 10-May 19, 8 pm. For additional info and tix (or ticket packages), call 301.377.7800.
On stage at The MAC:
> Mar 10...Davey Yarborough & Esther Williams (sax, jazz vocals)
> Mar 17...Thad Wilson Quartet feat. Vocalist Kristin Callahan (trumpet, jazz vocals)
> Mar 24...Laura Dreyer/Manhattan-Rio Connection (sax, Brazilian)
> Mar 31...Todd Marcus (bass clarinet)
> Apr 7.....Eastern Standard Time Jazz Quartet feat. Chris Vadala
> Apr 14...Allyn Johnson (contemporary, keys)
> Apr 21....B's Bees (swing jazz)
> May 5.....Hot Club of Baltimore (gypsy swing)
> May 12...Sherry Winston (contemporary jazz flute)
> May 19...Cyrus Chestnut Trio (pianist)
|
|
RIVER CONNECT: WATER TAXI COULD LINK NH TO DC'S NEW WHARF
|
|
In "Wharf" agreement with Entertainment Cruises, deal includes taxi service from DC's Southwest Waterfront to National Harbor...
Only on the Potomac. The region's next mixed-use waterfront destination - the redevelopment of The Wharf in Washington DC - won't open until October 2017. But, plans are already in play to cultivate an audience, including efforts to draw visitors from surrounding communities. Part of that includes connecting with the visitors and tourists that descend on National Harbor.
In November, EC announced it had inked a deal with Hoffman-Madison Waterfront, developer of The Wharf. The byproduct is a new water taxi service from The Wharf to Georgetown, Nationals Park, National Harbor, and Alexandria. The daily service is expected make 10 stops per day thru March-Dec; 6-7 stops per day thru Jan-Feb. Length of trip from National Harbor to The Wharf and vice-versa is expected to be about 20-25 minutes.
Pictured is a rendering of the low-wake vessel that will be built specifically for this Potomac River route.
Four such vessels will be in service, with a
passenger cap of 100 people per boat.
|
|
RITCHIE STATION MARKETPLACE WILL PLANT AN "OLIVE GARDEN"
|
|
This will be the county's fourth OG, adding to an expanding dine scene...
Quick update on something we mentioned as a "possibility" last year. Darden Restaurants Inc. will indeed open an Olive Garden Italian Kitchen (OG) at Ritchie Station Marketplace in Capitol Heights. No specific timeline announced for opening, but applications are in and preliminary prep and construction is on the move.
Darden Restaurants is the world's largest full-service restaurant company. It owns and operates more than 1,900 restaurants with brands include Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52.
|
|
LAUREL'S VACANT SILVER DINER SPACE TO REOPEN AS "DOUBLE T"
|
|
One ending leads to new beginning for shuttered Laurel restaurant...
Last April, after 25 years of dish & dine, Silver Diner closed its Laurel location at 14550 Baltimore Ave. At the time a big deal (to us anyway) as it was the second Silver Diner restaurant established in the chain's history, behind the original in Rockville.
Fortunately, the story ends on a positive note. The
Double T Diner chain, based out of B'more, plans to re-open the space as the new Laurel Double T Diner. Double T is a 50's-era restaurant with all that you'd expect from a diner. All the home-style favorites will be on the menu including breakfast, salads, sandwiches, crab cakes, pastas, Greek specialties, and homemade desserts. No word as yet on whether it will be open 24/7.
The Laurel Double T Diner could open by late spring. Double T currently operates eight diners - all in Maryland - in Annapolis, Bel Air, Catonsville, Ellicott City, Frederick, Pasadena, Perry Hill, and White Marsh.
|
|
BJ'S BREWHOUSE WILL ADD A 2ND LOCATION TO PGC DINE-SCAPE
|
|
New dine will break ground soon at Bowie Town Center, open by year end...
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse will double-down by adding a second location in Prince George's. Upcoming is the Brewhouse at Bowie Town Center. The company has acquired the vacant Sears Tire & Auto Center site. The detached building sits on a third acre, which includes parking, and will be razed to make way for a new 7,595 sqft build with seating for 233 guest.
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse currently has four locations in Maryland - Laurel, Frederick, Columbia, and Towson.
The timeline for opening the new Bowie location is Fall 2017. The company promises to be operational by Oct/Nov and has initiated the hiring search for key management positions.
This will be a nice addition for
Bowie Town Center. It will complement a varied dine scene that includes such favorites as Olive Garden, Red Robin Gourmet Burger & Brews, LongHorn Steakhouse, First Watch Daytime Cafe, DuClaw Brew Pub, Chipotle, Noodles & Co., and Three Bros. Italian Restaurant.
|
|
GNAT ONCE AGAIN SELECTED AAA FOUR DIAMOND IN HOSPITALITY
|
|
Gaylord National awarded the distinction for the 9th year in a row...
For establishments designated as AAA/CAA Approved, AAA inspectors assign a rating of One to Five Diamonds based on the extensiveness of services, facilities and amenities typical of each rating level, indicating the type of experience to expect.
To be a AAA Four Diamond recipient, a property must be refined, stylish with upscale physical attributes, have extensive amenities and a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail.
Only 5.9 percent of the nearly 28,000 hotels approved by AAA make Four Diamond status.
|
|
MARCH - EXCITING THINGS ARE HAPPENING THIS MONTH IN PGC
|
|
|
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.
|
|
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 - 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
|
TOURISM DAY 2017
Friday, March 3rd
Miller Senate Office Building
West I and II
11 Bladen Street,
Annapolis, MD
Join more than 200 industry leaders and 60 legislators, the morning of March 3rd, as we advocate for continued legislative and funding support for tourism in Maryland (and Prince George's County).
|
9200 Basil Court, Suite 101,
Largo, MD 20774
Visit us online at:
|
|
|
|
