Digital agency recognized for Best Website and Small Business of the Year
Ocean City, MD — D3, a leading web design and digital marketing agency based in Ocean City and Salisbury, Maryland, was recognized with two top honors at the 44th Annual Maryland Travel & Tourism Summit (MTTS), held November, 2025. The agency received the Best Website award for its work on the Chesapeake Country All-American Road website and was named Small Business of the Year, highlighting its impact, innovation, and partnership within Maryland’s tourism industry.
More than 200 tourism and hospitality professionals gathered at The Hotel at the University of Maryland for this year’s Summit, hosted by the Maryland Tourism Coalition (MTC). The annual event brings together public and private sector leaders for three days of education, collaboration, and celebration, all aimed at strengthening Maryland’s vibrant tourism landscape.
“Tourism is an integral part of our state economy, and it’s back stronger than ever,” said Ruth Toomey, Executive Director of the Maryland Tourism Coalition. “This summit gives us the opportunity to learn from each other, understand key trends, and celebrate the projects and partners moving our industry forward.”
Award-Winning Website: Chesapeake Country All-American Road
D3 earned the Best Website honor for its design and development of ccaar.org, the official website for the newly designated Chesapeake Country All-American Road. Spanning 419 miles of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the route is one of only a select number of federally recognized All-American Roads nationwide.
The site—built in collaboration with the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway Alliance—features immersive imagery, interactive maps, and intuitive trip-planning tools designed to help travelers explore the region’s natural landscapes, heritage sites, and local communities.
“Few places along the Mid-Atlantic are as connected to land and water as Maryland’s Eastern Shore,” said Jay Bosley, Chief Operating Officer at D3. “Our goal was to create a digital experience that mirrors that connection—helping travelers not just plan trips, but truly discover the people, places, and stories that make this region special. We’re honored to see this work recognized at the state level.”
Small Business of the Year
In addition to Best Website, D3 was also named Small Business of the Year, a recognition presented to a tourism-related small business that demonstrates outstanding leadership, partnership, and dedication to advancing Maryland’s tourism economy.
“For 30 years, D3 has had the privilege of standing alongside the incredible people who make Maryland’s tourism community so special,” said John Gehrig, owner of D3. “This recognition truly took me by surprise and means more than I can express. We don’t do this work for awards—we do it because we care about the communities we serve. Being named Small Business of the Year is a reminder of how meaningful these partnerships are and why we remain so committed to helping Maryland’s destinations and businesses thrive.”
A Stronger, Connected Tourism Community
The Summit drew participants from Maryland’s diverse tourism ecosystem—including DMOs, attractions, museums, hotels, restaurants, and arts and culture organizations. Hosted by The Hotel at the University of Maryland in partnership with MTC, the Maryland Office of Tourism, and Experience Prince George’s, the event showcased the power of collaboration across counties and sectors.
D3’s recognition at this year’s Summit highlights the agency’s continued leadership in creating dynamic digital experiences that support economic growth, promote local destinations, and elevate Maryland’s place within the national travel marketplace.
About D3
D3 is a full-service web design and digital marketing agency based in Ocean City and Salisbury, Maryland. For 30 years, D3 has helped organizations across the Mid-Atlantic strengthen their online presence through custom websites, digital campaigns, branding, and strategic marketing solutions.
