Its T.F. Green Airport becomes a convenient aero ancillary to nearby Logan Airport in Boston and usually offers better affordability than Logan’s higher-priced flights. And,with I-95 zooming right through its centrum, indeed,all roads lead to Providence.
My home for the next few days becomes the Omni Providence Hotel - just one minute off of that timesaving I-95, and attached to the city’s stylized convention center. The former’s Narragansett Ballroom,South County Room,deep-set executive board room, and the rest of the hotel’s 22,000-square feet of recently updated meeting spaces,all offer state-of- the-art confines for discerning planners.
All 564 oversized rooms at the hotel will have been renovated by this time next year. And,best of all, The Omni - which serves a physical gateway to this small
city - boasts some of its best views, too. Every morning I’ll wake up to the sunrise and building-scapes across Providence right out my window, and each night I will leave my shades wide open to welcome the twinkling lights below and around me from my 12th floor perch.
My Concierge Mobile is securely sequestered in the Omni’s attached garage and its 2,400 parking spaces, which is shared by the Rhode Island Convention and Entertainment Complex.
The Complex is just that - a vast and modern convention center featuring 100,000-square feet of exhibition space; a 20,000-square foot grand ballroom; 10 loading docks; the dramatic Rotunda Room (which also has a fantastic city view); and 30,000 thoughtfully-presented square feet of pre function space. Unlike so many other convention centers I’ve
visited around the country, Providence’s seems to eschew fancy art installations and big,dramatic paintings for high win- dows, naturally streaming light and stun- ning sight lines.
Next door to the convention center, Rhode Islanders also enjoy their Dunkin’ Donuts Center (aka - the "Dunk"),which houses sports teams like the Providence Bruins,concerts and special events. Just beyond the Dunk isVeterans Memorial Auditorium (the“Vet”),a stunning setting for events and performances that features pristine acoustics emanating from its grand proscenium stage.
It’s early August and the weather gods are smiling on all of us in Providence. It’s sunny and summer-hot,but not humid,and with a fresh cool cross breeze. I depart my lofty and large room and walk out the Omni’s front door.
Mid-Atlantic EVENTS Magazine 71
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