Ocean State residents were invited to become home-state tourists on May 3, during the Fifth Annual Tour Rhode Island, There’s No Place Like Home, which featured 24 full-day tours spotlighting the state’s wide variety of cultural, historical and recreational offerings. (READ MORE)

How often do you attend any of Rhode Island’s major festivals or events, such as WaterFire Providence, Sound Session, the Newport International Boat Show, the RISD Alumni Sale and the Newport Folk Festival?

• Multiple times a year – 54.5%

• Once a year – 18.2%

• Rarely – 13.6%

• Never – 13.6%

Do you feel events and festivals are geared more toward attracting people from out of state than Rhode Islanders?

• Yes – 42.9%

• No – 57.1%

Do you or your company use any of the state’s events or cultural attractions for corporate entertainment?

• Yes – 40.9%

• No – 59.1%

Would you rather attend a major event or festival in Rhode Island or somewhere outside the state?

• Rhode Island – 85.0%

• Elsewhere – 15.0%

Of the top largest tourist and cultural attractions, as ranked by the PBN 2008 Book of Lists, which have you attended in the last year?

• WaterFire Providence – 77.3%

• Providence Performing Arts Center – 68.2%

• Pawtucket Red Sox – 54.5%

• Roger Williams Park Zoo – 54.5%

• Trinity Repertory Company – 50.0%

• Newport mansions – 31.8%

• Twin River – 18.2%

• Newport Grand – 0.0%

The Providence Business News Executive Poll is a weekly survey of 70 business leaders, representing small and large businesses in a variety of industries throughout the state.