[Baltimore, MD, January 25, 2021]

Every fall, the Baltimore Metropolitan Council leads Chesapeake Connect, an immersive program that brings Baltimore’s leaders to explore the ins and outs of a peer region during a three day learning experience.

Because of the pandemic, last year’s program was put on hold. Like everything else right now we had to find a way to run this program from home. For this year only, Chesapeake Connect will be a podcast, and we’re thrilled to announce that our host region will be Baltimore, Maryland.

Launching today, the Chesapeake Connect Podcast will pair members of BMC’s board with program alumni to explore issues and stories that shape life here in Baltimore. Produced by WYPR and hosted by “Midday’s” Tom Hall, this bi-weekly series is a chance to think about our own region in the same way that we’ve looked at Cleveland, New Orleans and Nashville.

Episode 1 features John A. Olszewski, Jr., Baltimore County Executive, and Scot Spencer, Associate Director of Local Policy, Annie E. Casey Foundation. Our guests reflect on their experience with the program and how the trip brings together regional leaders to take an unvarnished look at a peer region. Future episodes will feature discussions on the role tourism plays in revitalizing Baltimore’s neighborhoods, how our partners are rising to the challenges of the pandemic, and what the Preakness means for the entire region.

Tune in today to hear the Chesapeake Connect Podcast: Reflections on our Region. Episode 1: "What is Chesapeake Connect?"