Rhode Island Convention &Entertainment Complex&Nearby Hotels
History Meets Hip in This RevitalizedNewEngland City
STEEPEDIN HISTORYANDBOASTINGSOMEOFTHEFINEST educational institutions in the country, Providence adds a lively blend ofNewEngland culture to meetings and conven- tions with its idyllic neighborhoods and growing downtown. In 2011, Providence once again earned high marks for its outstanding culinary scene and rich arts community from the readers ofTravel + Leisure in the magazine’s “America’s Favorite Cities” poll. Providence came in No. 2 overall in the nation for food and No. 3 for theater, while TheTelegraph newspaper named Providence “The Coolest City inNew England.” At the heart of the city center is the Rhode Island Conven-
tion&Entertainment Complex, encompassing the Rhode Island Convention Center (RICC), the renovated Dunkin’ Donuts Center (Dunk), and theVeterans Memorial Auditori- um(TheVets).Within walking distance of more than 2,200 hotel rooms, the conveniently situated convention center puts visitors steps away from a slew of restaurants, entertainment, shopping, and other leisure diversions for after their meeting concludes. The center’s exhibition hall gives planners 100,000 square feet of flexible, contiguous space to work with, in addition to a 20,000-square-foot ballroom, 23 meet- ing rooms, and the Rotunda Room’s 2,550 square feet of special-event space. Nearby, both the 13,000-seat Dunk arena and the 1,900- seatVets performing-arts center give planners even more
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options. Connected to the RICC via skywalk, the Dunk arena includes more than 31,000 square feet of arena floor space, while TheVets provides an intimate setting for special events with easy accessibility and sharp acoustics. Even though TheVets is the newest addition to the Rhode Island Convention Center, the historic building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and plays host to the
WALK TO REMEMBER: In 2011, Providence celebrated its 375th anniversary, so meeting attendees have almost four centuries of history to explore in their leisure time. Many visitors opt for a stroll along Benefit Street, also known as the “mile of history,” famous for its parade of well-pre- served Colonial-era homes.