Ambassador

A Call to Action for Rhode Islanders

In order to sustain Rhode Island's $4.24 billion dollar a year tourism and hospitality industry, the support of local residents is imperative.  The support this industry lends to our economy affords each Rhode Island household a substantial tax break of $1,280 a year.  The tourism and hospitality industry has taken on a new initiative to reach out to Rhode Islanders requesting they become "ambassadors" of their home state.  Also sharing this goal is the annual Tour Rhode Island program, which showcases the state's attractions to residents unfamiliar with certain areas of Rhode Island.

See how Tourism Works for RI in this clip:

http://www.tourismworksforri.com/videos/?play=rhode_island_ambassadors

Easier than you think...

The logical question is How will this work?  It's simple really, locations for most events, conventions, and meetings are decided by someone's mere suggestion and the host destination ultimately reaps the benefits.  Residents will be encouraged to become ambassadors of these events, conventions, and meetings; they will become an additional sales force for state tourism, the sales professionals - those charged with attracting meetings and conventions to Rhode Island- no longer have to do it alone.

This effort will unquestionably generate economic impact for Rhode Island.  Initial success has already been documented.  Here are several examples of Rhode Islanders who belong to a specific association for leisure purposes or is a member of a professional organization who has assisted in generating tourism dollars.

  • Mr. Roger Marshall, a resident of Jamestown, helped attract "The Yacht Report's Project USA 2008" meeting to the Newport Hyatt, Courtyard and Vanderbilt Hotels last June.  The event booked 615 total room nights.  When combined with activities and catering, it generated an economic impact of $178,350.
  •  Ms. Lisa Holley, a member of the Rhode Island Parole Boardm helped secure the "Association of Paroling Authorities International" meeting to be held in Newport in April 2009.  The event has booked 665 total room nights for an estimated economic impact of $192,850.
  • Dr. Jack Kacewicz, president of the Northeastern Society of Orthodontists with a practice in East Greenwich, helped draw the Society's annual meeting to Providence last September.  They enjoyed it so much, they have booked the Westin again for 2013.  The event will book an estimated 1,150 room nights with a projected impact of $1.5 million.
  • Senator Joshua Miller attracted the annual conference of The Council of State Governments to be held in Providence November 2010.  The event will book an estimated 2,500 room nights at the Westin and take place at the Convention Center with an estimated economic impact of more than $1.6 million.
  • Mr. Curt Spaulding, executive director of Save the Bay, helped attract the annual conference of "Restore America's Estuaries" in his position as one of the coalition's board members.  The event booked 1,400 room nights with a total impact of over $2.1 million.
  • Mr. Matthew Wainwright, an employee of Middletown's Town Hall, helped attract the "Government Management Information Sciences International" meeting to be held in Newport August 2009.  The event has booked 535 room nights and the impact is a projected $155,150.

Going forward, all we ask is this: think about the personal and professional associations or organizations to which you belong.  Have they hosted a meeting or convention in Rhode Island?  If not, contact the office of your association's president or director and strongly suggest that they consider the Ocean State.  If yes, recommend Rhode Island again.

At the very least, contact your local tourism office or the State Tourism Division and alert them if you know of any opportunity.  A "Meetings and Conventions" directory can be found on the homepage of www.VisitRhodeIsland.com; it will point everyone toward a representative they can talk to about booking and organizing a meeting in our state.

Last but not least, spread the word to your colleagues, friends and family.  All it takes is a little awareness of our potential to become ambassadors for our state, and a small gesture to make it happen.  The outcome, with all of us contributing, could have profound effects on this economy.