RHODE ISLAND
Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
P
144 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903 • (401) 456-0200; Fax: (401) 273-7046 • GoProvidence.com
rovidence, Rhode Island mixes the vibrancy and amenities of a big city with the walkability and personal service of a small town. Known for its rich history, arts and culture, and nationally acclaimed culinary scene, Providence once again scored big in Travel + Leisure magazine’s annual “America’s Favorite Cities” poll. The city earned top marks in culinary - and artsrelated categories, and was hailed as one of the top three food cities in the country. The Rhode Island Convention & Entertainment Complex stands in the heart of the city, and includes the Rhode Island Convention Center (RICC), the Dunkin’ Donuts Center (Dunk) and the Veterans Memorial Auditorium (The Vets). The Complex is conveniently located within one mile of 2,200 hotel rooms, and a total of 5,500 rooms are available in the Greater Providence area. The RICC consists of a 100,000-contiguous-square-foot exhibition hall, a 20,000-square-foot ballroom, 23 meeting rooms, and the Rotunda Room which provides spectacular views of the city. There are also two adjacent garages with 2,400 parking spaces. A key feature of the Convention Center is its connection to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, the area’s premier events arena. The RICC is also attached to the 564-room Westin Hotel, and Providence Place, a downtown mall offering more than 170 shopping, dining and entertainment options. The 13,000-seat Dunk features 31,000 square feet of arena space, a ceiling height of 90 feet, a 25,000-square-foot concourse, a new 12,000square-foot lobby, two party suites, two loges, a new restaurant, and five renovated meeting/hospitality rooms. The Vets, a 1,900-seat theatre, is a historic performing arts venue and is known for its unique combination of size and intimacy, superb acoustics and great sight lines. The Vets is also available for elegant corporate events, speaking engagements and more. Providence is home to the renowned culinary school, Johnson &
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Wales University. Many of the university’s chefs remain in Providence after graduation, which is reflected in the city’s world-class dining scene. Providence has a wide selection of ethnic restaurants, but the city is famous for its Italian food, with the Federal Hill section of Providence named “One of the Five Best Little Italys in the U.S.” by celebrity Chef Mario Batali. Located on the shores of Narragansett Bay, local restaurants also make good use of the abundance of fresh seafood to create delicious and inventive dishes. As a food city, it’s no wonder that Providence has an entire museum dedicated to the culinary arts. The Culinary Arts Museum at Johnson & Wales University is a premier museum focusing on the preservation and study of the culinary arts, and draws thousands of visitors annually. The museum contains more than a half million culinary artifacts, including an exhibit on food in the White House and more than 4,000 menus from around the world. Located between New York City and Boston, Providence is easily accessible for event attendees, and about 25 percent of the United States’ population lives within 500 miles of the city. The Amtrak train station is located within walking distance of the Complex, and offers rail service throughout the Northeast Corridor. Nearby Warwick, RI features miles of scenic coastline and spectacular views, and offers additional hotel, dining, shopping and entertainment options. For those flying into Rhode Island, Warwick’s T.F. Green Airport is just 10 minutes from downtown Providence. The airport’s recently opened eco-friendly InterLink hub provides passengers with an array of transportation options. Conveniently housing a rental car facility, public transportation options, and rail service to Providence, Boston and beyond, the InterLink offers travelers ease, affordability and accessibility. Planners can look to the award-winning Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau to provide a knowledgeable staff, a welcoming spirit, and services that can aid them with all the details that will make their convention or meeting program successful. Facilities & Destinations 2011-2012 Planner Guide