Mayor & Council Work Session: May 11. 2026

The May 11, 2026 work session of the Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council featured a detailed briefing from Visit Montgomery on the state of tourism in Montgomery County, including Gaithersburg. The presentation covered recent trends in lodging occupancy, average daily rates, and revenue per available room, noting a recent decline but signs of recovery in short-term rentals. Visit Montgomery highlighted their marketing and sales efforts, including targeted campaigns in feeder markets, trade show participation, and new initiatives such as a visitor app and promotional materials for local communities. They also discussed leveraging grants totaling over $900,000 for tourism development and marketing, including a $700,000 Department of Commerce grant for regional collaboration and a $226,000 grant for promoting the Maryland Alcohol Manufacturing Promotion Fund. The council inquired about impacts of a labor dispute at the Marriott conference center, potential new multi-use event facilities, and strategies to engage local bio-pharmaceutical and defense sectors. No specific contract awards or procurement decisions were made during the session, but the discussion included references to grant-funded projects and future opportunities for tourism-related development and marketing partnerships.