Baltimore, MD (May 1, 2009) – The Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA), the Maryland Science Center, the National Aquarium, and Baltimore’s Waterfront Partnership have formed a unique marketing partnership to promote summer visitation to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Dubbed the “Baltimore Waterfront Invasion,” this summer long promotional partnership between the organizations will launch Memorial Day weekend when the Maryland Science Center and the National Aquarium open Chinasaurs: Dinosaur Dynasty and Jellies Invasion: Oceans Out Of Balance, – two new exhibits that unleash prehistoric predators on the Inner Harbor. In addition to the new exhibits themselves, the summer long promotion will also include family-friendly events and activities and exciting “invasion” décor elements around the Inner Harbor.

This is the first time the organizations have pooled marketing and public relations resources to create a summer promotion centered around two popular attractions. By partnering, each organization can amplify its promotional efforts, both locally and regionally, and maximize individual budgets to offer a complete travel experience for out of town visitors, as well as activities that will appeal to the local community.

This first-time marketing partnership will help each of our organizations leverage our marketing dollars in a more effective way to create more buzz about what’s happening in Baltimore this summer,” said Tom Noonan, president and CEO, BACVA. “We are excited for the opportunities that the Waterfront Invasion presents to attract the interest and attention of out of town visitors, and encourage our local community and businesses to join in on this exciting venture.”

Joint marketing efforts will include television, radio, outdoor, print and online advertising in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia and Pennsylvania. Waterfront Invasion will kick off Memorial Day weekend, and additional details on tickets, events and the exhibits themselves will be unveiled in May. A dedicated Web site, www.waterfrontinvasion.com, will update visitors regarding special Waterfront Invasion ticketing options, retail and restaurant discounts, hotel packages, and special events taking place around the Inner Harbor throughout the summer. In the meantime, visitors to the Web site can sign up early to receive information about activities as they are posted. The Waterfront Invasion will continue through Labor Day (September 7) when the “Chinasaurs” exhibit closes.

About the exhibits:
Chinasaurs: Dinosaur Dynasty at the Maryland Science Center will feature more than 20 dinosaur skeletons in the largest touring exhibition of authentic Chinese dinosaur fossils. Visitors will discover massive skeletons, fossils, claws and dinosaur nests with real fossil eggs.

Jellies Invasion: Oceans Out of Balance at the National Aquarium will explore how Jellies have survived – and thrived – amidst environmental changes that have negatively affected other forms of sea life. Jellies are nearly invisible, but they are everywhere including the Atlantic Ocean, the Chesapeake Bay, and even Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.  Nine different species of these unique and pre-historic creatures will be on display in an exhibit that is as mysterious and colorful as the Jellies themselves.

»Download Water Front Invasion Partnership Release (PDF)

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