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Al Hutchinson
//November 3, 2022
Al Hutchinson
President & CEO
Visit Baltimore
Al Hutchinson earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Alabama in 1982, and throughout his career in the hospitality industry has worked in Richmond, Va., Pittsburgh, Virginia Beach and Mobile, Ala.
In 2016, he took over as president and CEO of Visit Baltimore, the city’s official resource for visitors.
“As a Baltimorean by choice rather than birth, I want my work as president and CEO of Visit Baltimore to help Charm City thrive while also benefiting the local community,” Hutchinson said. “My goal is to position Baltimore as one of the most appealing East Coast destinations to visit, whether travelers are here for vacation, business meetings or a convention.”
Bringing economic development to the city has been one his main focuses, Hutchinson said, and his team has worked aggressively to secure major sporting events, with their potentially large crowds, to facilities such as Oriole Park at Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium and the Baltimore Arena.
“In 2018, I worked alongside a local organizing committee to bid to host the 2021-2023 CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament in Baltimore,” Hutchinson said. “As one of the most highly attended basketball tournaments among all NCAA divisions, the CIAA Tournament brought in nearly $20 million in economic impact to Baltimore.”
While driving economic development is a critical role, Hutchinson also believes in serving as a cultural advocate for Baltimore, helping to improve the city’s quality of life. In that role, he has used his platform as chairman of Destinations International to advocate for gun safety legislation at the state and national level in speaking engagements and panel discussions.
