New visitor hub connects the airport’s travelers with destinations, experiences, and resources across Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland – Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County today celebrated the official opening of The Welcome Center by Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. As the first visitor contact point to the state of Maryland for the 27 million passengers who travel through BWI each year, the new welcome center will serve as a gateway to Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, and destinations across the state. The 500-square-foot space, located in Terminal A baggage claim, features artwork from Anne Arundel County artists, 24-hour interactive destination information kiosks with itinerary integration, and a dedicated area where visitors can connect one-on-one with destination experience associates. By blending local culture, technology, and personalized service, The Welcome Center brings Maryland’s incredible destinations and experiences to life, inspiring travelers the moment they land to explore with engaging, accessible resources that turn arrival into the start of an unforgettable adventure.

“BWI is a world-class airport and economic hub, serving as the first introduction to all our state has to offer for business leaders, families and visitors who travel here,” said Governor Wes Moore. “This Welcome Center displays the local destinations and businesses that make our state great, and invites visitors to explore Maryland, building up our local economies and boosting our communities.”

Today’s opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony featured state and local leaders, including Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, Senator Pam Beidle, Delegate Mark Chang, Anne Arundel County Councilwoman Allison Pickard, Maryland Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and Strategy Jawauna Greene, Maryland Aviation Administration Executive Director and CEO Shannetta Griffin, and Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County CEO Kristen Pironis. During the ceremony, Lieutenant Governor Miller, Senator Beidle along with Delegate Chang, and Councilwoman Pickard each presented VAAAC with a citation celebrating the opening of the center and its significance to the state and county’s visitor experiences and economies.

PHOTO AND VIDEO ASSETS OF THE WELCOME CENTER AND THE RIBBON CUTTING EVENT ARE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD

*Photo/Video credit: Courtesy of Angie D Entertainment/VAAAC

“A strong first impression can shape an entire trip,” said Kristen Pironis, CEO of Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. “The Welcome Center gives us an opportunity to connect travelers with the people, places, and experiences that make Maryland distinctive from the moment they arrive. It reflects years of collaboration with BWI Marshall Airport, state leaders, elected officials, and tourism partners—and a shared commitment to helping visitors discover more of Maryland.”

The Welcome Center blends technology, personalized service, and local culture to help travelers discover and navigate Maryland from the moment they arrive. Features include:

• Personalized assistance from destination experience associates, available daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• A 24/7 interactive destination information kiosk offering trip-planning resources, maps, attractions, accommodations, dining recommendations, and multilingual support.
• Three digital displays showcasing destination content and partner messaging.
• Transportation information and guidance, including airport shuttles, public transit, rideshare services, taxis, MARC and Amtrak connections, and hotel transportation.
• Visitor information displays featuring local attractions, businesses, experiences, and group welcome opportunities.

“For 27 million travelers each year, BWI is their first impression of Maryland, and we want that impression to be more than a baggage claim and a rental car counter,” said Lt. Governor Aruna Miller. “From our rich history and vibrant arts scene to our waterfront communities and incredible local businesses, this Welcome Center is an invitation to discover everything that makes our state special. Tourism supports more than 188,000 Maryland jobs, and when we inspire visitors to explore more, stay longer, and come back again, we create opportunities for communities across our state. Maryland’s message is simple: You’re Welcome — and we mean it.”

A centerpiece of the space is a custom mural by Annapolis artist Comacell Brown, Jr. offering visitors an immediate sense of Maryland’s creativity, culture, and character. In the future, The Welcome Center will also feature a rotating display of artwork by Anne Arundel County artists, creating a distinctive sense of place while showcasing the region’s vibrant creative community.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see this vision become a reality,” said Senator Pam Beidle. “From supporting the initial planning efforts to championing the Local Bond Initiative alongside Delegate Mark Chang, we recognized the importance of investing in a stronger welcome for Maryland’s visitors. This investment enhances the experience at one of our state’s most important gateways while helping drive tourism, support local businesses, and strengthen Maryland’s visitor economy.”

The Welcome Center represents one of the most significant destination infrastructure investments undertaken by Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. The project began in 2023 with a $50,000 competitive grant from the Maryland Office of Tourism Development to support a conceptual planning study, followed by a $100,000 Local Bond Initiative sponsored by Senator Beidle and Delegate Chang. In partnership with BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, VAAAC subsequently secured a 10-year agreement for the space and advanced the project through design, planning, and construction.

“As we continue to invest in modernization and customer experience improvements, The Welcome Center enhances the arrival experience by connecting travelers with destinations and resources throughout Maryland,” said Shannetta Griffin, Executive Director and CEO of the Maryland Aviation Administration. “This is a valuable addition that strengthens BWI Marshall Airport’s role as a welcoming gateway to our state.”

The Welcome Center was brought to life through the collaboration of Mackenzie Contracting, JP2 Architects, Strategic Factory, TrueOmni, and Owner Rep Consulting, whose combined expertise helped transform the vision into a dynamic gateway connecting travelers with destinations throughout Maryland.

About Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County

Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (VAAAC) is a nonprofit, partnership-focused destination marketing and management organization dedicated to fostering a welcoming destination and promoting tourism for visitors, partners, and the community. The tourism and hospitality industry in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County significantly impacts Maryland’s economy. In 2025, Anne Arundel County welcomed more than 7.2 million visitors whose spending generated $4.3 billion in economic impact and supported more than 26,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, according to the 2025 Economic Impact of Tourism in Maryland Report, by Tourism Economics. That daily impact — an average of $11.9 million in visitor spending — strengthens small businesses, supports the hospitality workforce, and enhances quality of life for residents across the region. For more information, please visit www.visitannapolis.org.