5Q: Brad Read

1 How did Newport attract this year’s World Match Racing Tour and what type of audience will the free, public stopover bring?

Sail Newport has an international reputation for running first-class regattas. By collaborating with the state and Fort Adams, we [have] something few cities can offer – an ideal location for shore-side activities, and ample docking space. Sail Newport actively markets our capabilities and Newport as a destination to sailing organizations across the globe. The World Match Racing Tour brings high energy/speed racing of the M32 catamarans close to shore.

2 What objectives must you meet in 2016 and 2017 to ensure that the next Volvo Ocean Race stopover in 2018 occurs as planned?

This is an expensive event to manage, yet well worth it, as the economic studies have shown. Our platform of partnerships includes a rare blend of corporate responsibility, branding opportunities and an expansive corporate hospitality menu (for events leading up to the stopover as well as the 2018 event itself). This “triple play” of benefits was used successfully by our sponsors for the 2015 stopover and we are confident that [that] success will prove to potential partners the value of our promotional product. In 2016 and early 2017, we’ll be focused on building corporate partnerships.

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3 You represent attractions on the Discover Newport board of directors. What does this entail?

Although just starting out, I look forward to working with the marketing committee and on ways to bring more “right-sized” events to Newport and Bristol counties.

4 As the executive director of Sail Newport, you’ve said youth sailing is programming you’d like to offer more often. How?

We bring over 1,000 children through our public-access sailing programs each season. Mixing in marine education has added a wonderful element to our recreation and event programs and we see that as a huge growth opportunity.

5 How many regattas does Sail Newport host in a given season and how do you build this programming?

We usually hold between 15 and 20 regattas/sailing events per year at the Sail Newport Sailing Center. We also support about a dozen additional events. … We have 18 regattas and events scheduled for 2016, in addition to our other public-access sailing programs. •

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