Worcester County Specialist Named 2025 Tourism Ambassador of the Year
Worcester County, MD - Worcester County Business Development and Retention Specialist Michele Burke was recently honored with the 2025 Tourism Ambassador of the Year Award. The award was presented by the Maryland Tourism Coalition (MTC) during the Maryland Tourism & Travel Summit.
Burke serves as a key member of the Worcester County Tourism and Economic Development (WCTED) team. She received this recognition for her work in utilizing Worcester County's assets-ranging from small businesses and tourism to agriculture and coastal industries-to highlight the story of Maryland's Eastern Shore.
Additionally, Burke was acknowledged for her efforts in connecting local business owners with the Maryland Tourism Coalition, an organization that serves as a unified voice for the state's tourism industry.
Membership in the MTC provides benefits such as professional development resources, networking opportunities, and industry insights. It also offers increased visibility for businesses and supports a coordinated tourism message intended to strengthen Maryland's visitor economy.
"Michele is fully immersed in Worcester County's landscape, building meaningful business relationships and connecting entrepreneurs and community partners with state and county resources, so I'm thrilled that the MTC recognized her contributions to supporting local businesses," said WCTED Director Melanie Pursel. "I am also thrilled that the MTC recognized the valuable contributions of all of our outstanding tourism partners whose innovative campaigns and projects play a strategic role in introducing Maryland destinations to new visitors."
Additional Awards for Worcester County Partners
The Maryland Tourism Coalition presented several other awards to destination marketing partners within the county.
Beach to Bay Heritage Area received the Best Product or Event Award in the medium budget category for its project, History, Heritage & Homelands of Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore.
Anchored by the Beach to Bay Indian Trail-a designated National Recreation Trail-the project encourages visitors to explore the Native American, Black, and European histories of the region.
Ocean City Tourism won the Best Product or Event Award in the large budget category for Boardwalk Rock. This concert series brought national talent to the resort during the offseason, generating over $55 million in economic impact and attracting significant media attention.
The Town of Ocean City earned the Best Media and Public Relations Campaign Award for its "Catch a Ride" campaign.
Chesapeake Country All-American Road Alliance secured the Best Website Award. Their winning site encourages users to explore a byway that connects small towns, waterfronts, historic sites, and landscapes across the Eastern Shore.
D3 was awarded Small Business of the Year for leading a project with regional partners to redefine the Eastern Shore's digital footprint, offering visitors an immersive journey through the area's communities and travel routes.
Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, Visit Baltimore, Visit Howard County, Visit Montgomery, Ocean City Tourism, and Experience Prince George's jointly received the Cooperative Partnership Award. This group was recognized for "Meet in Maryland," a campaign designed to promote Maryland's top destinations nationally.
Renee Seiden of the Harrison Group Hotels & Restaurants was honored with the Audrey Davenport Hospitality Person of the Year Award. She was recognized for her leadership in the hospitality sector, her support of fellow professionals, and her role in hosting MTC events.
For more information on WCTED resources and events, visit www.marylandscoast.org.
