News Release

"Baltimore As a Tourist City" will be the topic of lecture at noon on Wednesday, April 24, in Shriver Hall on The Johns Hopkins University's Homewood campus, 3400 N. Charles St. in Baltimore.

Carroll R. Armstrong, president and CEO of the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA), will talk about Baltimore's remarkable growth as a tourism destination, the impact of tourism on the American economy, and the vital importance of the travel and tourism industry to Charm City's national reputation and its economic growth.

Armstrong was appointed to his BACVA post in April 1996 after being the driving force behind the expansion of the Baltimore Convention Center. He has established himself as a community leader on several local boards, including the Mayor's Cabinet and the Mayor's Economic Development Sub- Cabinet; the Greater Baltimore Alliance's Marketing Advisory Committee; the advisory boards of several university hospitality management programs; the Maryland Tourism Workforce Task Force; the Advisory Council of the Babe Ruth Museum; and the Governor's Task Force on the Preservation and Enhancement of Maryland's Heritage Resources. In1999 and 2000, Armstrong was named one of "The Most Influential African-Americans in the Meeting/Tourism Industry" by Black Meetings & Tourism magazine and has been honored by three trade publications for his expertise. He speaks at local, national and international conventions and is co-founder of the Association for Convention Marketing Executives (ACME) and served as its first president.

This event is one of the Wednesday Noon Series presented by The Johns Hopkins University Office of Special Events, now in its 36th season of cultural programming on the Homewood campus. Wednesday Noon Series events are open to the public and admission is free. For information, call the Office of Special Events at 410-516-7157.