Ocean City Tourism Commission
civic · active attested 2003–2024
Also known as Tourism Commission; Tourism Committee
The standing commission through which the town's season is administered, and one of the bodies whose minutes are read into the council's own. It reported the cancellation of Sunfest after Hurricane Isabel in October 2003 and the relocation of the ticketed concerts indoors to the Convention Center. In January 2015 two of its recommendations were carried in a single minute — year-round permitting for charter buses, and welcome letters to the new state legislators — both unanimous. It appears in the 2016 order of business alongside the Police Commission and the Recreation and Parks Committee, which is where the ordinary machinery of the town is transacted.
In the record (7)
2014 · 2014-01-13
A frozen pipe burst and flooded the whole Convention Center lobby during the January cold snap, delaying the police Officer of the Year banquet by about half an hour
Convention Center Director Larry Noccolino to the Tourism Commission on 13 January 2014: "On Tuesday, there was a flood due to a frozen pipe that busted. The entire lobby was flooded and the staff did an excellent job cleaning up. The Officer of the Year Banquet, which was being held in the ballroom, was only delayed about 30 minutes due to the flood." The Tuesday before a Monday meeting was 7 January 2014. In the same report Noccolino answered a local newspaper's suggestion that Ocean City "may not be a year-round resort": "between September 15 and January 20, the Convention Center has only four open weekends." The Police Commission's February minutes recorded that the department's assists to the Fire Department were up in January, "most of these calls were because of weather/freezing calls."
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2014 · 2014-02-10
The mayor told the Tourism Commission that the volunteer-run St. Patrick's Day Parade had given $22,000 in Stephen Decatur scholarships and $10,000 to Coastal Hospice the year before; the 2014 parade ran 136 units and a record crowd
Tourism Commission, 10 February 2014: "The Mayor reminded everyone that the upcoming St. Patrick's Day Parade is put on entirely by a volunteer organization and has become one of the biggest weekends in town between New Year's and Memorial Day. It is a fund-raising event. Last year, they gave $22,000 toward high school scholarships at Stephen Decatur High School and also donated $10,000 to Coastal Hospice. They would appreciate any support that you may be able to give." On 13 March Buck Mann of the Chamber "reported the coming weekend's St. Patrick's Day Parade will be bigger than ever with 136 units participating. All agreed the event has grown into a signature spring kick off with hotels and bars experiencing strong sales." At the regular meeting of 24 March Council Member Mitrecic "said that this year's Saint Patrick's Day parade had a record breaking turnout."
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2014 · 2014-11-17
The council put $10,000 and the tourism department's booth into Fish in OC, a private campaign to market the town at fishing trade shows the way Golf Getaway sold its golf courses
Tourism Commission, 10 November 2014: "Scott Lenox of Hooked on O.C. did a presentation on Fishing In OC, a marketing concept to promote fishing in Ocean City. Scott approached Donna Abbott several months ago with a proposal to market Ocean City as a destination for fishing similar to how Golf Getaway markets with the co-op of all the golf courses ... Scott has solicited support from the local fishing industry including marinas, charter boats, restaurants and hotels. He requested town support of $15,000 and in exchange the town would be represented at trade specific fishing shows in prime target areas, receive a logo on the trade show booth, have tourism videos at shows, the Ocean City logo on the front cover of a fishing planner guide, link from the fishinoc.com website to the town's tourism website, access to emails acquired at the shows and distribution of Ocean City guides at the shows." The Tourism Advisory Board had liked it but judged it "more of a marketing opportunity instead of a new event". At the regular meeting of 17 November "Council Member Matt James moved to accept the Tourism Commission's recommendation to support the Hooked on O C marketing campaign with a $10,000.00 contribution and allow use of some of the Tourism Department's booth materials; seconded by Council Member Hartman. The vote was unanimous."
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2017 · 2017-05-08
Springfest 2017 counted 106,334 people over its four days despite a wet Friday, with 1,797 at the Joan Jett concert and 1,800 at Josh Turner
The Tourism Commission minutes of 8 May 2017, filed in the council packet of 15 May, record under Special Events: "Frank Miller reported that Springfest wrapped up on a positive note, despite the weather issues. Attendance was down on Friday, but rebounded on Saturday and Sunday. Total Springfest attendees were 106,334. Total attendees for Josh Turner concert were 1,800. Total attendees for Joan Jett were 1,797." The commission that morning was chaired by Council Secretary Mary Knight, with Mayor Meehan, Councilman John Gehrig, Todd Ferrante of OCDC, Will Lynch of HMRA and Stephanie Meehan of the Chamber of Commerce as members. The same page notes Convention Center Director Larry Noccolino's new marquee sign on Coastal Highway "dedicated to the Performing Arts Center."
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2024 · 2024-02-05
The special events director told the Tourism Commission in February 2024 that the just-ended Winterfest had drawn its second-best attendance in more than thirty years, and the Mayor reminded members that the St. Patrick's Day Parade was the town's largest single-day event
Tourism Commission minutes of 5 February 2024, attached to the 13 February work session packet, Special Events: "Director Miller stated Winterfest was a resounding success with attendance that was second best in its 30-plus years. Train display equally successful." Then: "St. Patrick's Day Parade. With no Tourism Commission meeting scheduled for March, Mayor Meehan wanted to remind members that the largest, single one-day event that brings in the largest impact to the Town is the St. Patrick's Day Parade being held on March 16th. Melanie Pursel and Phil Baker will cohost the livestream broadcast along with Dave Messick filming the event. Delmarva Irish Club is seeking sponsorships for the production part of the parade and also to give scholarships to deserving high school students in Worcester County." The same minutes announce the marketing department's new vehicle: "the purchase of a new 1975 VW van decked out front to back with the brand logo," for a "Catch a Ride 2.0" campaign extending from six to twelve markets, with the tourism director thanking the city manager "for pushing the purchase of the van through the ranks." The HMRA reported that its 50th spring trade show on 3-4 March had "the largest ever with 442 exhibitor booths."
Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant AssociationRick Meehan
Source · checked 2026-09-11
2024 · 2024-06-03
Planning the town's 150th anniversary, the tourism department told the Tourism Commission in June 2024 it had made offers to John Legend, Katy Perry, Sheryl Crow and Chris Stapleton for a 5,000-seat black-tie gala at the convention center on 21 November 2025
The Tourism Commission minutes of 3 June 2024, attached to the 11 June work session packet, record the 150th Anniversary Concept: "The idea is to take 150 existing celebrations and/or events leading up to what is being called the 'main event.'" Special Events Director Frank Miller "gave a preliminary list of how the 150 days of celebration would look"; "The Penguin swim in January will be first of the 150th events." Then: "Idea for main event is a black-tie gala with a concert inside the Convention Center that will host 5000 people. 1500 will have dinner and show on November 21, 2025. Made offers to John Legend, Katy Perry, Cheryl Crow, Chris Stapleton and other artists with the help of C3 and Bob Rothermel. Tom even called promoters himself." Asked whether the gala was for locals or visitors, Director Perlozzo answered "1500 tickets to local community and 3500 in outlying areas." Other ideas minuted: a sticker drop with "prices from 1875" - "a bucket of fries for $1.50" - a hunt for "150 commemorative coins" dropped in Baltimore and Philadelphia, and "150 reasons to smile" on social media. The FY25 budget hearing of 4 April had set aside $214,400 for the celebration, and the council "consensus" was "to keep the proposed funds in the budget."
Source · checked 2026-09-11
2024 · 2024-06-03
Ocean City bid to host the Sundance Film Festival in January 2026, 30,000 room nights' worth, and lost, the tourism director told the Tourism Commission on 3 June 2024
Under General Sales Update in the Tourism Commission minutes of 3 June 2024: "Director Perlozzo made a bid to host the Sundance Festival in OC in January 2026 which would have hosted 30,000 room nights. He did not win the bid even though all requirements were met. Has completed an RFP to host in 2027. They haven't announced who won." The same report lists the department's other reach: a bid for the US Sports Congress closing reception (funded at $35,000 by the council on 11 June), a Destination East meeting-planner event for 2027, and a Philadelphia winery dinner for 48 meeting planners that produced "250 rooms for Monday-Thursday in April of 2025." The January slot is the one the town's Winterfest, Penguin Swim and MLK weekend already fill.
Source · checked 2026-09-11