PWCVB honors Singleton, unsung heroes at annual meeting

PWCVB PRESIDENT AND CEO Martha Sheridan delivered an upbeat message at the organization's annual meeting, held Wednesday at the R.I. Convention Center. / COURTESY PROVIDENCE WARWICK CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
PWCVB PRESIDENT AND CEO Martha Sheridan delivered an upbeat message at the organization's annual meeting, held Wednesday at the R.I. Convention Center. / COURTESY PROVIDENCE WARWICK CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

PROVIDENCE – The Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau inducted J.L. “Lynn” Singleton, Providence Performing Arts Center president, into its hall of fame Wednesday afternoon at the organization’s annual meeting, held at the R.I. Convention Center.
Citing his role is transforming PPAC into a venue capable of attracting major Broadway touring shows, the organization presented a video tribute, including interviews with PPAC staff and former Providence Mayor Vincent “Buddy” Cianci Jr.
The PWCVB struck a positive note during the event, pointing to the continuing recovery of the Providence hotel market in 2012, which exceeded an 80 percent occupancy rate in June for the first time since 2004.
In her presentation to PWCVB members, President & CEO Martha Sheridan noted that occupancy rate and the average revenue per available room were higher through August in each of the last two years. RevPAR alone saw an 11.8 percent gain year to date in 2012 over the same 2011 period, performance better than the U.S. average (which saw a 7.3 percent increase) as well as for New York (up 6.4 percent) and Boston (up 10.6 percent).
Sheridan pointed to a 59 percent increase in visits to GoProvidence.com over the previous year as evidence that the organization’s marketing efforts were bearing fruit.
Also honored with the PWCVB’s Recognition of Service Excellence (or R.O.S.E.) awards were:

  • Kelly Barboza, of the Courtyard by Marriott Providence/Warwick
  • Colleen White, of Elizabeth’s of Portofino
  • Tayla Lake, of the Hampton Inn & Suites Providence Downtown
  • Chris Robertson, of Shula’s 347 Grill
  • Max Saltzman, of the Hilton Providence
  • Gregory Morris, of the Newport Marriott Hotel
  • Doreen Mooney, of the Providence Biltmore Hotel
  • Chrissy Stewart, of the Providence Marriott Downtown
  • Jarred Young, of Ruth’s Chris Steak House
  • Cheryl Short, of the Spa at The Providence Biltmore

Sheridan also recognized Dennis Labossiere of Cozy Caterers LLC as the member of the year, while Providence College was recognized by the Rhode Island Sports Commission as the Rhode Island Sports Champion.
In addition, the PWCVB presented a financial overview of the fiscal 2012 year, in which the organization collected hotel tax revenue worth $1.8 million, as well as revenue of $984,350 from cooperative agreements and $388,211 from private-sector cooperative programs.
Expenses for the PWCVB were broken down as follows: $1.1 million for marketing and communications, $985,174 for sales, $593,926 for general and administrative, $183,586 for the Rhode Island Sports Commission, $129,331 for partnership development and $110,412 for the visitor center.
Sheridan noted that one of the highlights of the year for the organization was the relocation of its offices from the R.I. Convention Center to 10 Memorial Blvd. (also known as the GTECH Building).

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