2013 Winter Newsletter
Charlestown - Coventry - East Greenwich - Exeter - Hopkinton - Narragansett -
North Kingstown - Richmond - South Kingstown - West Greenwich - Westerly
In This Issue:
Letter from the President
Black & White Masquerade
In Demand
12 Meter Regatta
6th Annual Bridal Show
Odeum Cometh!
Richmond preservation partnership
Boston Globe visits Wakefield
Aunt Carries on TV!
Stars of the Industry
President's Letter

 

Dear Tourism Partners:

 

Misquamicut Beach businesses have been devastated by super storm Sandy.  The tedious and labor intensive work of many, many volunteers from throughout Rhode Island has moved not only mountains of sand but perhaps more importantly, kept spirits aloft.  A new round of lifting is ahead.

 

Insurance and SBA loans alone will not cover all of the necessary restoration costs of the small businesses affected.  

 

Ocean House has generously agreed to host a Black & White Ball, planned for Saturday, February 23, 2013, 7 pm - midnight.  Tickets are $125 per person. Click here to purchase tickets.

 

All proceeds, through ticket sales, and live and silent auction items, will assist the rebuilding efforts of local businesses.  While I hope that you will attend the Ball, I am requesting the participation of all the Regional Tourism Districts and tourism partners  in the donation of auction items.  Overnight stays, packages, transportation tickets, restaurants, admission tickets, theatre tickets, Waterfire tickets, whatever you can donate will be gratefully appreciated.  

 

With your help, together we can assist in the recovery from the devastation that is affecting many Misquamicut businesses, some of which are generational treasures.

 

Thank you.

 

Myrna George 

President & CEO 

 

Black & White Masquerade
   
In Demand
  
Lillian with mailbags

Lillian Dilluvio, SCTC Marketing Assistant was busier than a one armed paper hanger in 2012! In large measure due to the success of Marketing Director Diane Patefield's media campaign which resulted in doubling future visitor requests for information about South County!  Consequently, the Council has increased the 2013 Style publication circulation from 100,000 copies to 120,000 copies.  Way to go, TEAM!!!! 


  

12 Meter Regatta
  
The South County 12 Meter Regatta was a successful collaboration between the economic development boards of Narragansett and South Kingstown, their respective chambers of commerce, combined with the marketing efforts of the South County Tourism Council. The regatta, the first event of its kind, was extraordinarily successful, showcasing the Narragansett coastline, while being graced with racing 12-meter yachts. Remaining revenues from the event were distributed equally to both towns. 
  
6th Annual Bridal Show
  

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue surrounded brides, grooms, family and friends at the South County Bridal Show on Jan. 6. Attendees viewed the latest in bridal fashions, sampled wedding treats and browsed through photography portfolios and floral displays. South County Museum provided historic wedding gowns, dating back to the 1700's, lending a historic elegance to the show. Wedding doyen Monica Hickey of Kleinfeld's and Sak's Fifth Avenue fame, gave an elegant English/Irish lilt to the commentary, accompanied by SCTC Board Member Eric Potemsky as our official guardian at the gate, in a tuxedo accented with a turquoise blue vest and tie.
  
Thank you to all our vendors: Melissa Ashley Brides, Patticakes, Nana's Gelato, Meadowbrook Inn, Music Mixers DJ Entertainment, Weedweavers, Flowerthyme, Spa Mosaic, South County Museum, Alterations Unlimited, Caster Creations Photography, Susan Sancomb Photography, A Airline Express Limousine and the Towers. 
  
The South County Bridal Show provides brides a unique opportunity to meet bridal vendors in a relaxed, intimate, naturally beautiful environment. The success of the show generates business to South County businesses during the off season.

Odeum Cometh!

 

Congratulations on the successful re-opening of the Odeum in East Greenwich. The first official concert is scheduled for January 26, 2013, and will feature singer Phoebe Madden, flutist Skip Healy, trumpeter Ritchee Price, Chris Jason (as Frank Sinatra), Mixed Magic, Refined 313 and Larry Brown's Swing Orchestra. For more information, go to www.theodeum.org

 

Richmond preservation partnership
  
The state Department of Environmental Management and the Nature Conservancy partnered in placing 245 acres of forestland in Richmond beyond the reach of developers. The land lies in between Richmond Townhouse Road and Beaver River Road and was slated as the third phase of a housing development.

The parcel is adjacent to the Washington County Fairgrounds and the Conservancy's 180-acre Grass Pond Preserve. This addition creates a 424-acre conservation area open to the public for recreational activities.

DEM purchased the property for $1 million, with $500,000 provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation, $300,000 from the Nature Conservancy and $200,000 in state open space bonds.

Boston Globe visits Wakefield
  
The Boston Globe recently highlighted South County's village of Wakefield in an article featuring consignment shops. The article, "Rhode Island village of Wakefield is capital of consignment shopping," interviewed several shop owners in Wakefield who will delight bargain hunters with items ranging from clothes for men, women and children to antiques and collectibles, and everything in between!

Shoppers can also enjoy the river walk along the Saugatucket River, numerous dining establishments and the performing arts at the new Contemporary Theater.

Aunt Carrie's on TV!

 

Elsie Foy, owner of Aunt Carrie's Seafood Restaurant, dared to share her famous clam cake recipe with Guy Fieri of the Food Network, on an episode of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.

 

After making and tasting these South County staples with Guy, she topped it off with her famous home-made strawberry shortcake. A fan of Rhode Island cuisine, Guy promised to be back soon!
  
Stars of the Industry
  
The Rhode Island Hospitality Association honored five people in South County for their roles in South County's hospitality industry. SCTC President and CEO Myrna George received the Mary Brennan Tourism Award due to her tireless efforts to promote tourism in South County, and in years past, bringing South County national recognition.

Dan Hostettler, President and Managing Director of the Ocean House, received the American Hotel & Lodging Association State Leadership Award.
  
Mark Bennison, advanced culinary arts instructor at the Exeter Job Corp Academy received the Teacher of the Year award. He recently guided two Exeter Job Corp teams to first and third place during the 2012 Prostart Competition.
  
Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy of Hopkinton was named a Hospitality Ambassador of the Year. A member of the Rhode Island General Assembly for 24 years, Kennedy serves as Chair of the House Committee on Corporations.
  
Frank Mattos of North Kingstown was named Vendor of the Year for his company, Platinum Fire Protection & Services. The company provides fire protection and life safety services to the hospitality community in Rhode Island, MA and NH.

SCTC board members David Caprio, Loren Spears and Barbara Capalbo, join Rob and Nancy LaChance of RJ LaChance Advertising in celebration as SCTC President and CEO, Myrna George, receives the Mary Brennan Tourism Award during the RI Hospitality Association's Stars of the Industry banquet at the RI Convention Center.

 

  

Our 2013 South County Style Vacation Guide is now available. Stop by and pick up your copy.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Keeping Track:
  Did you know in the future, you won't have to look for your luggage - it will look for you?  A postgraduate student at the Royal College of Art and the Imperial College of London has created the Hop!, a motorized suitcase that can follow its owner around the airport or hotel using receivers to triangulate a cell-phone signal.  Measuring about 21" x 15" x 8", the Hop! Is still in the prototype phase, but it may be only a matter of time before your suitcase becomes self-aware and starts shipping itself off to your destination.  
A Virtual Reality
Mobile gift cards were hotter than ever in 2012 and the trend shows no sign of slowing down in the New Year. The technology behind mobile gift cards is becoming ever more advanced: instant delivery, advanced tracking capabilities for program administrators, and endlessly customizable cards are just some of the distinct advantages that mobile gift cards offer. Mobile gift cards are reported to be far more secure than traditional plastic cards, since there's no risk of the mobile card being lost by the recipient or stolen. Still not convinced? Redemption rates tend to be higher with mobile delivery of gift cards when compared to traditional plastic cards.
New Winter Home Page
  
 

South County Weddings website 

 

Contact [email protected] for information on a combined website/mobile website advertising opportunity.

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