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WHEN IT COMES TO TOP LEVEL MEETING VENUES AND HOSPITALITY RHODE ISLAND LIVES UP TO THE SAYING "BIG THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES" BY CLETUS RAMSEY Rhode Island is the perfect place for your next meeting or convention - scenic and accessible, fun and historic, safe and friendly. Meetings of all sizes are big fish in this state's small pond, which means they'll roll out the red carpet for your group and pull out all the stops to make sure your event is a big-time success. Planning a meeting or convention in Rhode Island is easy; everything is accessi- ble and convenient and you are never far from myriad options and opportunities. Whatever your group's needs, the Ocean State offers a wealth of meeting and convention facilities ranging from inti- mate, historic B&B's to the sleek Rhode Island Convention Center in the heart of Providence. Providence, known as The Creative Capital, combines the accessibility and friendliness of a small town with the cul- ture and sophistication of a big city. With a thriving arts community, vibrant and diverse neighborhoods, outstanding hotels, a renowned restaurant scene, and so many things to do, Providence is the perfect place to visit for both business and pleasure. Providence and Warwick, Rhode Island are filled with flexible meeting space options, a variety of hotels, world-class restaurants, centuries of history and a wide selection of things to do. Providence is a compact walkable city and is easy to reach for meeting attendees by car, train or plane. Accessibility and ease are the hallmarks of the Rhode Island Convention Center (RICC). The venue is equipped with 167,000 sq. ft. of event space, a 100,000- sq.-ft. exhibition hall, a 20,000-sq.-ft. ball- room and 23 meeting rooms. Centrally located in the heart of Providence and just off Interstate 95, the RICC is within one mile of 2,800 hotel rooms. It is connected via skybridge to the 14,000-seat Amica Mutual Pavilion on one side and to the 564-room Omni Providence on the other. The Omni is, in turn, connected to the Providence Place Mall. Providence is also the perfect choice for a glamorous — yet affordable — city wedding. With elegant hotels, unique venues, and plenty of things to do before and after the big event, Providence pro- vides the perfect setting for beginning your new life together. Tucked between Boston and New York City, it's a simple drive from any Northeast destination and offers easily accessible transportation options. The wedding of your dreams awaits you in Providence. Experience the wonder of the city's exciting art scene. Enjoy Gallery Night on the third Thursday of the month as a free bus loops throughout the city and stops at participating galleries, art shops and museums, all offering free admission. Providence wants visitors to celebrate the rich history of the Black community from the early days of the Revolution to the present day. From the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society's exhibit on Black entrepreneurs to Stages of Freedom's Museum of African American History, sto- ries of Black excellence and accomplish- ment are plentiful. Be sure to stop for lunch or dinner at one of Providence's many Black-owned restaurants while you visit the sites on the Early Black History Walking Tour. With a variety of cuisines from Southern soul food to traditional African meals, you're sure to find some- thing you like! With its convenient Northeast location, 15 percent of the nation's population is within a 300-mile proximity to Providence. Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) in Warwick is the closest air- port. Easily accessed via Interstate 95, Providence is a 50-minute drive from Boston and a three-hour drive to New York City. AREA GUIDES 65 B M & T ••• July/August 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com R H O D E I S L A N D • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Crowne Plaza Providence Warwick 266 Courtyard by Marriott Warwick 92 Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Providence Downtown 110 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Rhode Island Convention Center Total Meeting Space 167,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall 100,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 20,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 23 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Go Providence Warwick CVB (401) 456-0200 www.goprovidence.com Providence Rhode Island Convention Center photo credit: Rhode Island C.C