In a room filled with Maryland’s most accomplished tourism leaders, Cassandra Vanhooser, director of the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism, was named the 2025 Maryland Tourism Person of the Year on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the Maryland Travel and Tourism Summit in College Park.
The tradition is a cherished one. Since its founding, the Tourism Person of the Year award has celebrated individuals who embody the spirit of hospitality and elevate Maryland’s visitor experience. Past honorees — 42 in all, affectionately known as the Pineapple People — led by 2024 honoree Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks, sent their warm congratulations and welcomed this year’s recipient into their esteemed circle.
“It is humbling to be recognized by peers I admire so deeply,” Vanhooser said after receiving the award. “Tourism is ultimately about people — our communities, our visitors, and the partners who work tirelessly to make Maryland a world-class destination. I am honored to serve this industry and this beautiful place we all call home.”
Vanhooser’s path to becoming one of Maryland’s most respected tourism and economic development leaders began on a dairy farm in Tennessee. Armed with an agriculture degree from the University of Tennessee, she carved out a distinguished writing career at Southern Living magazine, where she spent more than 14 years as a travel and features writer. Her assignments sent her across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, chronicling places, people, and traditions with warmth, precision, and an unmistakable sense of curiosity.
From delving into Florida’s cowboy culture to taste-testing the South’s best fried chicken, Vanhooser forged a reputation as a storyteller with a deep affection for the landscapes and communities she covered. She also served as the magazine’s football editor, authoring several books, including The All-New SEC Tailgating Cookbook: Great Food, Legendary Teams, Cherished Traditions in 2018.
Today, as Talbot County’s chief storyteller and business advocate, Vanhooser blends her journalistic instincts with a commitment to community-driven economic development. Under her leadership, Talbot County has elevated its tourism profile, strengthened regional partnerships, and embraced bold strategies that support small businesses, celebrate local heritage, and showcase the county’s extraordinary quality of life.
In 2016, Vanhooser spearheaded the merger of Talbot County’s economic development and tourism offices, uniting two disciplines that had long operated in parallel. By bringing the teams together under one strategic vision, she built a powerful bridge between business growth and destination marketing, demonstrating that thriving communities and thriving visitor experiences go hand in hand.
Vanhooser also is deeply engaged in statewide leadership, serving on the governor-appointed Maryland Tourism Development Board and the Maryland Tourism Coalition board. She is also the current chairman of the Maryland Association of Destination Marketing Organizations, a role in which she advocates for stronger partnerships, smarter investments, and greater recognition of tourism as a powerful economic engine for Maryland.
“Tourism is economic development,” Vanhooser said. “The economic impact of this industry on the state of Maryland is extraordinary, and that is certainly something to be celebrated.”
As Vanhooser joins the honored ranks of Maryland’s top tourism professionals, she calls the moment both a milestone and a motivator.
“Maryland’s tourism industry is strong because we work together,” Vanhooser said. “Yet we have more to achieve, and it will take continued investment to unlock the full economic power of tourism in this state. I’m proud to help lead that effort.”
Talbot County also shared in statewide recognition with Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset counties for Best Website for the Chesapeake Country All-American Road site, and their vendor, D3 of Ocean City, was named Maryland’s Small Tourism Business of the Year.
About Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism
The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s mission is to enhance and promote a business-friendly environment for current and prospective enterprises and to advocate for policies that support and strengthen the economic vitality of Talbot County. The department’s vision for Talbot County is built on the principles of strong communities, empowered businesses, and innovative solutions.
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