city files Providence, R.I.

Providence, R.I., dubbed “The Creative Capital,” has been celebrated for its stel- lar dining, arts, and culture scenes. Travel + Leisure magazine readers recently voted Providence one of “America’s Favorite Cit- ies,” ranking the city No. 1 in the United States for its food, beverage, and restau- rant offerings. As home to the world’s largest culinary

educator, Johnson & Wales University, Provi- dence reaps the rewards of having many of the school’s graduates demonstrate their culinary talents in local restaurants. The city’s Federal Hill neighborhood offers a taste of Italy in Rhode Island, and features more than 100 restaurants, shopping boutiques, and late-night destinations.

The creative capital For museum lovers, the Museum of Art

at the Rhode Island School of Design houses more than 80,000 works of art, ranging from Greek sculpture and French Impressionist paintings to contemporary multimedia art. WaterFire, a multisensory art installation,

is Providence’s signature event, and has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city. This series of bonfires installed on the three rivers of downtown Providence combines aromatic wood smoke, flicker- ing firelight, and enchanting music to cre- ate a truly singular experience. WaterFire is typically scheduled on Saturdays from May through October. In the heart of downtown lies the Rhode Island Convention & Entertainment Complex

— comprised of the Rhode Island Convention Center (RICC), the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, and the Veterans Memorial Auditorium (The Vets). The RICC consists of a 100,000-contiguous- square-foot exhibition hall, a 20,000-square- foot ballroom, 23 meeting rooms, and the Rotunda Room, which provides spectacular views of the city.

For more information: Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau — Kristen McGrath, CDME, Vice President of Sales and Services; 10 Memorial Boulevard, Providence, RI 02903; (401) 456-0200; meetings@goprovidence.com; goprovidence.com

AT A GLANCE Rhode Island Convention & Entertainment Complex • Total event space: 167,000 square feet • Total exhibit space: 100,000-square-foot exhibition hall

• Ballroom: 20,000 square feet • Total meeting space: 37,000 square feet • Maximum number of breakout rooms: 23 • Registration/prefunction space: 30,000 square feet

• Number of hotel rooms attached or adjacent to the convention center: 1,350

• Number of hotel rooms within one mile of the convention center: 2,200

• Number of hotel rooms in the Greater Providence area: 5,500

Attractions • Bank of America City Center • Culinary Arts Museum at Johnson & Wales University

• Historic Newport • Museum of Art at the Rhode Island School of Design

• Providence Performing Arts Center • Providence Place Mall • Roger Williams Park Zoo • Trinity Repertory Company • WaterFire Providence • WaterPlace Park

On fire Providence’s signature event, WaterFire, is a multisensory experience of music, bonfires, aromatic wood smoke, and flickering firelight along downtown’s three rivers.

PCMA.ORG APRIL 2013 PCMA CONVENE 113