Visit Baltimore names Kireem Swinton as interim leader
Visit Baltimore, the city's sales and marketing organization, has named Kireem Swinton the interim president and CEO effective July 1.
Swinton, who recently served as Visit Baltimore's vice president of sales and customer experience, replaces Al Hutchinson, who chose not to have his contract renewed last month after eight years at the helm.
The Baltimore Convention and Tourism Board unanimously approved Swinton's new role on March 19.
'I'm honored to step into this interim role to lead a dynamic team that continues to position Baltimore as a world-class destination,' Swinton said in a statement. 'As we move forward, I am committed to amplifying Baltimore's positive stories, fostering relationships across the city and driving innovative strategies that attract major conventions and leisure visitors at this exciting time in our city's history.'
Swinton, who hails from Washington, D.C., spent two decades in senior roles with Marriott Hotels and Visit Seattle.
As vice president of sales and customer experience at Visit Baltimore, Swinton helped secure major citywide bookings, including the 2033 American Society of Association Executives Annual Meeting & Exposition, which is expected to bring between $15 million and $18 million to the city, according to Visit Baltimore.
Swinton has also developed key partnerships with hoteliers, industry leaders and national organizations.
'The transition committee of the BCTB developed the ideal plan for ensuring Visit Baltimore moves forward in a seamless and positive way,' Charles 'Chuck' Tildon, III, Visit Baltimore's board chair, said in a statement. 'The decision to elevate Kireem to Interim President & CEO reflects the board's commitment to maintaining a strong, award-winning organizational culture while ensuring continued success in driving critical economic impact for the city.'
Under Hutchinson's tenure, the city broke tourism records, with 27.5 million visitors in 2023, according to the organization. Visit Baltimore also secured deals to host events to bring in millions of dollars to the local economy.
In addition, the city became the host of the CIAA college men's and women's basketball tournament, which had a $32.5 million economic impact, including $3.1 million in taxes in 2024, according to Visit Baltimore. The tournament is committed to staying in Baltimore through 2026.
Mayor Brandon Scott approved Swinton's appointment, citing confidence in his previous experiences.
'Baltimore has achieved record-breaking visitation numbers in recent years, and I have full confidence in Kireem's ability to continue this momentum as the interim leader for Visit Baltimore,' Scott said in a statement. 'Kireem has the experience and know-how to see us through the transition, ensuring the city loses no ground as a destination of choice.'
Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@baltsun.com or on X as @ToddKarpovich.
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