Inner Harbor Hotel Brings CANVAS, a Global Concept Lab for Food and Beverage Ideas, to Baltimore

BALTIMORE, MD--(Marketwired - Apr 23, 2015) -  CANVAS, a food and drink concept lab by Marriott International, is coming to Baltimore. Today, Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards, a premier Inner Harbor hotel, invites entrepreneurs, chefs, bartenders and artisans throughout the greater Baltimore area to pitch a food or drink concept to be actualized at the hotel. A committee of local restaurateurs, foodies, hotel owners and restaurant/bar experts will determine which entrepreneur demonstrates the creativity, savvy and sound business plan to benefit most from this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Marriott will kick start the winning restaurant or bar concept with an investment of up to $50,000, including the resources, space, and expert support needed to flourish. Upon six months of operations, the concept will be evaluated for success based on popularity and return on investment.

"We believe the key ingredient of CANVAS is to marry the best ideas of local entrepreneurs with Marriott's resources, space and capital that will transform ambition into action right inside our hotels," said Onahlea Shimunek, General Manager of Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards. "Just like travel, food and drink experiences today are about indulgence and discovery for modern travelers and local clientele alike, to savor, enjoy and share."

CANVAS, the first-of-its-kind hotel industry program, builds on Marriott's roots in entrepreneurial food and beverage. In May of 1927, the company's founder, J. Willard Marriott, opened a nine-seat A&W® root beer stand in Washington, D.C. With advent of cold weather that year, Mr. Marriott and his wife, Alice, began selling hot food that would later inspire a name change. The newly minted Hot Shoppes rapidly grew in popularity throughout the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. before the company opened its first hotel in 1957.

In addition to Baltimore, CANVAS incubator locations are in progress in Phoenix, Ariz. and Irvine, Calif. For more information and application details, visit www.canvas-startup.com. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2015, and the winner will be announced at a live interview event on May 13.

To experience the CANVAS restaurant for yourself, simply visit the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards, located conveniently near Oriole Park. Diners sampling the new Baltimore restaurant are invited to make a weekend of it and stay at the Oriole Park hotel for a long weekend or quick "staycation." The hotel offers spacious and comfortable guest rooms and suites steps from Baltimore's prime attractions, such as the Baltimore Aquarium, Camden Yards, and M&T Bank Stadium. Corporate travelers can also take advantage of the Baltimore hotel's flexible meeting rooms and event venues. Whether traveling to Baltimore for business or pleasure, a meal at CANVAS is sure to delight.

About the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards

Located in the center of downtown Baltimore, the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards offers comfortable and stylish accommodations in a great location. The hotel offers complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the lobby and public areas, concierge service, on-site parking, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. The stylish and spacious guest rooms and suites feature comfortable beds with plush pillows and duvet, LCD TVs with cable and premium movie channels, and high-tech amenities like Plug-In panels and enhanced high-speed Internet. Catch up with friends over drinks and casual American fare at The Yard, a relaxed restaurant inside the hotel. With 26 meeting rooms and a total of 18,600 square feet of flexible meeting space, the hotel is an ideal venue for meetings and events in Baltimore. The hotel's convenient location in Baltimore's Inner Harbor puts guests in close proximity to top attractions like Oriole Park, M&T Bank Stadium, National Aquarium, the Maryland Zoo, and Baltimore Arena.