BALTIMORE—Al Hutchinson, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore, announced earlier this year that he will not renew his contract when it expires on June 30, and instead plans to retire. A committee had been formed to find a successor and help ensure a smooth transition, including several members of the Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board, led by board chair Charles “Chuck” Tildon, III. Effective July 1, 2025, Kireem Swinton, currently Vice President of sales & customer experience at Visit Baltimore, will assume the role of interim president & CEO.
Hutchinson joined Visit Baltimore as president and CEO in November 2016. Under Hutchinson’s leadership, Visit Baltimore has accomplished many milestones. The city had a record-breaking 27.5 million visitors in 2023, with domestic travel generating $4 billion for its economy. Visit Baltimore launched “Smalltimore,” a mobile visitor center showcasing Baltimore’s arts, history, and culture, and led a full marketing rebrand. Hutchinson fostered initiatives for inclusivity, such as the “Warm Welcome Program,” “BoP Pass,” apprenticeships, and a national HBCU scholarship. Visit Baltimore also established a Tourism Improvement District, which provides additional resources directly from the city’s hotels toward sales and marketing efforts to generate tax revenue from the city’s visitors.
Under Hutchinson’s leadership, the CVB secured Baltimore as the host city for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament in 2024, which generated $32.5 million in economic impact. The city also won the bid to host the 2033 American Society of Association Executives Annual Meeting and Exposition, which is projected to generate $15-$18 million in economic impact for Baltimore.
“I commend the BCTB for selecting Kireem Swinton as Interim President & CEO of Visit Baltimore,” says Hutchinson. “His skills, expertise and industry knowledge make him the perfect choice. I’m proud of what we’ve built together so far, and I look forward to supporting the board, Kireem and our best-in-class team through this transition to ensure that Baltimore’s tourism industry continues to thrive.”
Swinton brings a wealth of experience in tourism and hospitality. As a Washington, D.C. native and respected leader in the Baltimore market, he has built a distinguished career spanning two decades in senior roles with Marriott Hotels and Visit Seattle. As Vice President of Sales & Customer Experience at Visit Baltimore, Swinton has been instrumental in securing major citywide bookings, including the highly anticipated 2033 American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting & Exposition—an event known for elevating its host cities on the national stage.
“I’m honored to step into this interim role to lead a dynamic team that continues to position Baltimore as a world-class destination,” says Swinton. “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.”
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott emphasized the importance of continuity and strong leadership in the city’s tourism sector.
“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,” says Mayor Scott. “Kireem has the experience and know-how to see us through the transition, ensuring the city loses no ground as a destination of choice.”
Hutchinson will remain with the organization for at least six months in a consulting role to support a smooth transition.
