Maryland Office of Tourism Development: The Chesapeake Bay Storytellers Initiative

This is just public notice that NPS is already working with the Maryland Office of Tourism Development on work related to existing cooperative agreement P18AC00950.

This is NOT a request for applications.

This is just public notice that NPS is already working with the Maryland Office of Tourism Development on work related to existing cooperative agreement P18AC00950. Specifically, MOTD will:

1. Collaborate with the NPS and other partners to outline specific objectives, themes, and target audiences for “story-teller training” for watermen and women, outfitters, guides, and other water-based “story-tellers” who are interested in expanding their roles and businesses to more deeply engage customers in the Chesapeake Bay experience.
2. Work with the National Association of Interpretation to write and deliver curriculum to at least seventy-five participants.
3. Digitize curriculum in a format that can be updated and used over the next five years.
4. Develop an on-line Certified Chesapeake Bay Ambassador program that will be available free of charge to all stakeholders who want to improve their customer service and Chesapeake Bay storytelling knowledge and skills.
5. Include successful participants in the training on www.visitmaryland.com, and working with the Chesapeake Conservancy, on www.findyourchesapeake.com.
6. Plan and develop print, video, and online content that will showcase experiences offered by the newly trained storytellers and other “storytellers” at the Chesapeake’s public lands, water trails, lighthouses, and other iconic locations.
7. Place content on www.visitmaryland.com, and working with the Chesapeake Conservancy, on www.findyourchesapeake.com.
8. Through Maryland matching funds, place sponsored content in key domestic and international markets to attract visitors to Chesapeake sites.