Traveling with RFN Providence, Rhode Island
”Where the best jewels come in small packages”
By Charlene Adamson
We have all heard that the best jewels come in small packages and in the case of Providence, R.I. this is especially true! It may be a small state, but what a tremendously large appeal to the military reunion planners. The beauty of the city, the myriad of attractions, the CVB and the Crowne Plaza Hotel joining with their co-sponsors created a magical event. Michelle Sartrys, Director of Group Sales, and Sheila Lindemann with the CVB were our hosts and they were always visible, active, and accommodating throughout the event.
Home to Johnson and Wales Culinary Institute, chefs, servers, and hotel staff were impeccably trained and meals were extraordinary, from the Crowne Plaza to the other hotels we visited and dined. The Radisson Hotel Providence Airport, the Sheraton Providence Airport were all top of the line. Conway Tours and Viking Tours served as our transportation for the off sight events and the step on guides were professional and fine historians.
Highlights of the FAM were the Rhode Island State House, a driving tour of Providence, the Gateway Visitors Center, a driving tour of Newport, Fort Adams State Park, a self- guided audio tour through the Breakers mansion and lunch at the Commissioned Officers Club at the Naval Station Newport.
The tour of Newport reflected yester year’s elegance among the very wealthy with stories of the “cottages” which had fifty or more rooms in each and marvelous behinds the scenes stories of their owners and their personal lives.
The Breakers was the home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, built in 1893, and is a seventy room (yes, I said seventy room) Italian Renaissance-style palazzo, but is deemed a “cottage” as are all of the mansions at Newport.
Well fed both literally and intellectually, the military reunion planners quickly evaluated Providence one of the very best of ConFAMs©
they had experienced. There is no
doubt that Providence will benefit with immediate and future bookings and Exhibitor evaluations from all over the country echoed the planners approval.
Breakers Mansion (cottage) Page 36 R E U N I O N F R I E N D L Y N E W S • Winter, 2011-2012
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