Rhode Island Sports Commission

The Rhode Island Sports Commission is a division of the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau (PWCVB) responsible for marketing and selling Providence, Warwick and all of Rhode Island as a premier destination for hosting sporting events and meetings.

EAT

• The most important thing to pack when visiting Rhode Island is your knife and fork. From traditional New England clambakes to cutting-edge culinary creations, the smallest state is big on flavor. Providence’s Federal Hill neighborhood is known for its rich Italian influence and features more than 100 restaurants, boutiques and specialty food markets. Rhode Island’s farms and its proximity to Narragansett Bay ensure that menus feature fresh produce and seafood straight from the ocean.

SHOP

• Be sure to leave room in your suitcase. From shopping malls filled with the latest trends to boutiques with one-of-a-kind creations, shoppers will find what they’re looking for in Rhode Island. Located in the center of the state, Warwick is a shoppers’ paradise, with miles of malls and shopping centers. Providence offers fashions, furnishings and jewelry made by students and alumni of the Rhode Island School of Design. Fashionistas can stretch their dollar further, as Rhode Island has no sales tax on clothing.

PLAY

• Rhode Island, known as the “Ocean State,” features 400 miles of scenic coastline. Newport is the sailing capital of the world, home to the famed Gilded Age mansions. Providence mixes urban sophistication and small town accessibility. Block Island’s natural beauty beckons you to unwind. Whether you choose South County’s pristine beaches, East Bay’s magnificent coastal bikeway, or footsteps through history in Blackstone Valley, you’ll always find something fun to do.

SEE

• Centuries of American history are preserved in Rhode Island, from 17th century Colonial houses and churches to the opulent mansions of Newport. Scores of museums, are scattered throughout the state, and an exceptional appreciation of the performing arts is evident in the state’s many fine professional and community theater, dance and musical organizations. Our local American Hockey League affiliate of the Boston Bruins, the Providence Bruins, offers family fun for all ages.

Located at the intersection of I-95 and I-195, Providence is 50 miles from Boston (about a one-hour car ride) and 185 miles from New York City (about three hours by car). For a detailed map of the area, please visit GoProvidence.com.

Green International Airport (PVD)

• Only 10 minutes from downtown Providence, Warwick’s Green International Airport is easily accessible to Boston, Cape Cod and Southeastern New England. A popular alternative to Boston’s Logan Airport, Green features up to 120 flights daily via major carriers, with convenient connecting options to the rest of the world. The InterLink transportation system offers scheduled rail service from the airport to Providence and Boston.

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

• Boston Logan International Airport features nonstop air service from more than 100 worldwide destinations. Located less than 50 miles from Providence, Logan offers convenient transportation options from Boston, including bus service pick-up within steps of all five of its airport terminals. Peter Pan’s 10 daily departures leave directly from Logan to downtown Providence, and Amtrak and commuter rail service is readily available from Boston.

Train Service

• Providence is located on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C., New York City and Boston. High-speed Acela Express train service transports passengers from New York City to Providence in about two and a half hours. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) runs low-cost commuter trains to Providence from Boston and other points in Massachusetts.

Bus Service

• Peter Pan Bus and Greyhound have stations in Providence. Megabus offers round-trip bus service between Providence and New York City. For local public transportation, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) runs buses and trolleys statewide.

Working in tandem with the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, a full-service destination marketing organization, the Rhode Island Sports Commission can leverage award-winning expertise and experience, offering a team of experts and a myriad of services, all but ensuring a successful competition, meeting or event.

• Complimentary Convention Services With customizable, complimentary services, the PWCVB’s award-winning Convention Services (CS) team provides planning, marketing and on-site support, as well as employs tactics to help increase attendee engagement, both prior to arrival and while on site. The CS team serves as a liaison between your group and the many community partners involved in your event.

• Site Inspection Coordination Our CS team is able to schedule your site inspection and accompany you during your time in the Providence/Warwick area.

• Pre-Conference Meetings As another way to welcome your event to Providence, the PWCVB is able to coordinate planning meetings to review event details with the partners involved in your event.

• Destination Information The PWCVB offers maps of the area along with our visitor’s guide, GoProvidence, which includes dining, events and attractions listings, as well as feature stories.

• Destination Text We have written a plethora of stories on Providence as well as the destination as a whole. If you are not finding what you need, we would be happy to write something on your behalf.

• Customized Maps The PWCVB CS team is able to design custom maps highlighting hotels and any special event venues being utilized.

• Getting Here The CS team can provide information on getting to the Providence area by plane, train or car.

• Microsites The PWCVB can create customized microsites for individual groups, highlighting overall destination information.

• Hotel Tracking Hotel pick-up reports for qualifying groups can be gathered and sent to planners on a weekly basis.

• Ask the Expert The CS team can setup a question-and-answer session via your social media channels to help prepare delegates for their visit.

• Banners For qualifying groups, custom street banners will be hung as way to welcome attendees.

• Public Relations The PWCVB is available to assist with promoting upcoming meetings and events through press releases and working with the local media.

• Government Officials The team will help coordinate welcome letters or appearances from key officials.

• Industry Publications & Blog Posts The PWCVB is available to assist qualifying groups with content for articles in industry publications and blogs.

• Photos & Videos You have immediate access to the PWCVB’s high-res photos of the Providence/Warwick area as well as a three-minute video highlighting the attributes of the destination.

• Referrals Please think of the CS team as your liaison between your team and our community.

• Social Media Outreach & Engagement The PWCVB is well positioned to assist with social media outreach, and will interact directly with attendees through the group’s hashtags and FB links.

• Visitor Services With two information centers and the ability to provide satellite concierge services, the PWCVB is able to assist with restaurant reservations, attraction recommendations, in-town transportation options, and help with pre-and post-day trips.