Kireem Swinton is officially in charge at Visit Baltimore. The city’s tourism and convention bureau confirmed Wednesday that he is its new president and CEO, locking in leadership continuity as Baltimore rolls into a busy spring packed with major events.
As reported by Baltimore Business Journal, the Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board signed off on Swinton’s promotion after a months-long interim stint in the top job. The move follows longtime CEO Al Hutchinson’s decision not to renew his contract and step away last summer, as previously reported by BmoreNews.
Swinton's background and industry wins
Swinton joined Visit Baltimore in 2017 and was tapped under a board transition plan to serve as interim president and CEO effective July 1, 2025. Before that, he worked as vice president of sales and customer experience and is credited with helping secure major citywide bookings, including the 2033 American Society of Association Executives meeting, according to industry coverage cited by Meetings Today.
What the promotion means for Baltimore's tourism push
The appointment lands at a time when Visit Baltimore is touting record visitation and a convention pipeline that officials hope will keep hotel-tax receipts climbing. Visit Baltimore reports in its FY25 annual report that the city drew 27.5 million visitors in 2023, and the CIAA tournament delivered roughly a $27 million boost this winter, according to WMAR-2 News.
City and board reaction
Mayor Brandon M. Scott has said he has full confidence in Swinton’s ability to keep Baltimore’s tourism momentum going, local reporting shows. Board chair Charles “Chuck” Tildon III and other civic leaders had already praised the internal transition and the selection of Swinton as the person to steady the bureau through the change, according to BmoreNews and Meetings Today.
Visit Baltimore says Swinton will guide the bureau’s sales and marketing strategy as it chases more conventions, rolls out community-facing initiatives, and pushes for equitable tourism growth this year. Office materials list the bureau at 400 East Pratt Street, 10th Floor, and Swinton is expected to be a visible presence at upcoming spring events and partnership meetings.
