PWCVB honors leaders, service providers at annual meeting

By Kelly L. Anderson
PBN Staff Writer

CRANSTON – Dale Venturini, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association, is one of the state’s biggest cheerleaders and has been for years.

Her dedication and passion to that mission earned her an induction into the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Hall of Fame, said Martha Sheridan, president and CEO of the bureau.

“Dale has been a huge advocate for the hospitality community for many years in a variety and on many issues,” Sheridan said. “She is very highly regarded in the industry both locally and nationally.”

Venturini was inducted into the Hall of Fame on Tuesday, during the convention bureau’s annual meeting at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston.

At the meeting, the bureau released its new tourism video, talked about notable events over the year and the excitement over procuring the NCAA men’s hockey East regional Division I tournament for 2013, said Brian Hodge, communications manager for the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee told members in attendance that the improved infrastructure at T.F. Green Airport and the pending development of the “Knowledge District” in Providence are all indicators of good news for the tourism industry.

Barbara Barnes of the Rhode Island Historical Society was honored with the Member of the Year Award. Russell Morin, noted caterer and event planner, won the Special Recognition honor, and Richard Oliver, president of Rhode Island Amateur Hockey, was named Rhode Island Sports Champion.

In addition, the PWCVB awarded its annual Recognition of Service Excellence awards to the following people:

• Sharon Corcoran (Providence Performing Arts Center)

• Leslie Czezywicz (Westin Providence)

• Frances Flowers (Cook & Brown Public House)

• Chris Hijazin (Shula’s 347 Grill)

• Amy Johnson (Hilton Providence)

• Timothy McLean (Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse)

• Meredith Reid (Newport Mariott Hotel)

• Pamela Slowe (Renaissance Providence Downtown)

• and Captain Keith Tucker and Sergeant Michael Martinous (Providence Police Department)

Nominees to the PWCVB’s Hall of Fame are selected by their impact toward the advancement and improvement of both the bureau and the hospitality industry throughout the state. Designees are chosen by the bureau’s board and staff.

A notable accomplishment discussed at the meeting was the creation of the Rhode Island Sports Commission. Under the stewardship of Executive Director John Gibbons, the commission has secured such notable business as the Rock and Roll ½ Marathon.