WHERE TO …
DINE - Rogue Island Kitchen & Bar
This new eatery, located in the historic Arcade Providence, is a full-service bar and restaurant, offering menu items inspired by the people, produce, and protein of Rhode Island. The seasonal menu is sourced from nearby farms, often within only 50 to 60 miles of the restaurant.
PLAY - Providence Walks: The East Side
This new self-guided tour begins in the downtown area at the Rhode Island State House on Smith Street, before turning down North Main Street, and includes stops at the Rhode Island School of Design, the Providence Preservation Society, the Providence Art Club, and the John Brown House Museum.
MEET - The Veterans' Memorial Auditorium
This space has undergone extensive renovations, with a new WhiteBox theatre to be used for smaller performances and recitals. This addition will connect the theater to other prominent downtown venues including the Rhode Island Convention Center, the Dunkin' Donuts Center, and the Omni Providence Hotel.
When you say New England, most conjure up images of rocky coasts, stoic lighthouses, and quaint inns. This is all characteristic of this part of the country but so is the fact that it is also a serious meetings destination. Take Providence, RI, which combines the accessibility and friendliness of a small town with the culture and sophistication of a big city. The destination boasts a thriving arts community, vibrant and diverse neighborhoods, outstanding hotels, and a renowned restaurant scene.
This is a destination that understands meetings and incentives and knows how to make them feel welcome. As a matter of fact, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras gives meeting planners his cell phone number to call if there is anything he can do to help them while they are in Providence.
And talk about convenience: There are more than 2,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of the Rhode Island Convention Center, and T.F. Green Airport is 10 minutes from downtown.
The Rhode Island Convention & Entertainment Complex has 167,000 square feet of total event space that encompasses a 100,000-square-foot exhibition hall, a 20,000-square-foot ballroom, and 37,000 square feet of meeting space. The convention center is attached to both the 564-room Westin Hotel and also Providence Place, a downtown mall offering more than 170 shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
ESSENTIAL Tool Box
CONVENTION CENTERS & FACILITIES
Boston: Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (2.1 million sf); John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center (176,480 sf of exhibit space, 41 meeting rooms, 24,544 sf ballroom)
Providence: Rhode Island Convention & Entertainment Complex (100,000 sf); Dunkin' Donuts Center (14,000-seat indoor arena)
READERS RECOMMEND
Pinnacle Awards Go To:
• Foxwoods Resort Casino
• Mohegan Sun
CVB CHAT
Martha Sheridan, president and CEO of Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
What surprises planners about holding events in Providence?
Given the city's relatively small size, planners are frequently surprised about the breadth and quality of our services and amenities. They are oftentimes on par with much larger -- and much more expensive -- cities.
Are there any new attractions that would be of interest to planners?
The Providence G building is a new multi-use construction downtown with a new ballroom, a low-key gastropub, and a soon-to-be high-end restaurant, all under one roof. An elevator ride transports visitors to a rooftop bar with sweeping views of the city skyline.
Also downtown, the recently renovated Providence Public Library blends a classic sense of style with modern atmosphere. While the entrance hall and main stair ensemble still appear as they did upon construction more than a century ago, the cuisine and service reflect the high quality planners have come to enjoy in Providence.
What are a few of your favorite venues?
The Providence Biltmore is an icon in the city. Constructed in 1922, the landmark is emblematic of the city's success at the turn of the 20th century. The entire hotel was recently renovated, including all of the hotel's 294 guest rooms and suites. The new rooms, among the largest in the city, are sleek and contemporary, without sacrificing the hotel's stately elegance. It feels fancy and timeless in a refreshing way.
As home to seven colleges and universities, Providence is constantly evolving and challenging itself. The Rhode Island School of Design, one of the country's premiere art and design schools, has a top-flight museum, perfect for events.
Many of the city's talented artists end up staying in Providence and starting their own creative endeavors, like the Providence Steel Yard. This former industrial site is now a community center that offers classes in tactile arts like blacksmithing, welding, and ceramics. The grounds are also creatively landscaped to host unique events and memorable moments.
What's else is on the horizon for Providence in the coming months?
The city always seems to have something cooking, be it renovations underway at the Rhode Island Convention Center and nearly every hotel throughout the destination, or even the city's talented chefs turning up in pages of national magazines. Part of the fun is the unexpectedly pleasant surprises, like Providence recently placing first in Travel + Leisure's "America's Favorite Cities" survey. From hip to historic, the city will continue to reinvent itself in imaginative ways as more and more people discover the unexpected allure of this up-and-coming destination.
Boston Calling
Another popular meetings destination is Boston, known for its hospitality and friendly spirit. "Signature Boston," a new brand identity for the Boston meetings and conventions experience, was recently launched by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) and the Boston Convention Marketing Center (BCMC). Signature Boston, which replaces the "Advantage Boston" brand used by BCMC since 2004, will be used to promote both the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) and the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center.
"Boston is competing strongly as a premier meetings and conventions destination," MCCA Executive Director James E. Rooney said in a statement. "Our ability to execute meetings that exceed our customers' expectations is no longer just something we strive to do: It is our signature. Unique and personal, a signature represents what a person stands for. In Boston, our signature is a commitment to deliver remarkable experiences, beyond our customers' expectations."
Questions or comments? Email [email protected]
This article appears in the November 2014 issue of Successful Meetings.