Big conventions are tricky business

Some random thoughts…



• You may have missed – in the midst of all the pomp and circumstance – that for lots of small-business owners in Boston, the Democratic National Convention was a big bust. The talk leading up to it was about multi-millions of dollars in economic impact. But the reality was a city largely deserted.



Small restaurants located near the FleetCenter lost their business from regulars who stayed away and never saw a boost from convention-goers who slept in and then attended prearranged luncheons with dignitaries and parties at night.



On a smaller scale, it is reminiscent of the big FOP convention in Providence last year. Yes, lots of people. And if you walked through Providence Place that week you would have seen many families with bags in their hands – all having contributed to the Rhode Island economy. But our nicer restaurants were still waiting for the crowds while the convention wrapped up and the thousands of visitors headed out of town.


Hopefully, Rhode Island’s tourism experts will learn something from these
experiences. It doesn’t mean the big convention business is a bad idea, but
it does mean that someone needs to figure out how to make the most of such an
opportunity when it does present itself.


 



• I have no sympathy for a business owner who gets fined for not carrying workers’ compensation insurance. It’s a cost of doing business. It’s in the best interest of a company’s employees. And it happens to be the law.


The fact that so many businesses suddenly signed up for workers’ compensation
coverage after the tragic fire at The Station nightclub in February of 2003
is a sad commentary on the willingness of some people to operate outside of
the system.


 



• Neil Steinberg’s resignation – which takes effect this Friday – as chairman and chief executive officer at Fleet Rhode Island should come as no surprise. Given the Bank of America takeover and the fact that he is returning to his alma mater, Brown University, as a vice president, it makes perfect sense. It sounds like a terrific job, for which he is eminently qualified.



A bigger surprise would be if Bank of America replaces him with someone with ties to Providence.


 



• One would have to describe the competition between T.F. Green Airport and Manchester Airport in New Hampshire as a friendly one … at least when it comes to battling Boston’s Logan International for business. T.F. Green and Manchester have joined forces – and funds – to produce a series of radio ads touting the two airports as more convenient alternatives to Logan.



The ads describe Logan as “congested and confusing.” They also guarantee no lines or waiting, easy access and plenty of parking at the smaller airports. The ads – put together by the RDW Group, of Providence – are expected to run through the rest of the summer.


 



• It seems to me that the number of people riding motorcycles without helmets by far outnumber those who do.


 



• I just went on a brief family vacation to New Jersey. That stretch of Route 95 through New Haven is brutal – even worse than the New Jersey Turnpike.


 



• Speaking of that vacation, somewhere between the ages 17 and 37 I apparently lost the desire – and nerve – to board even the tamest of roller coasters, much less “The Superman.” In fact, my favorite ride at Six Flags wasn’t a ride at all, it was the live dolphin show.


 



• A recent survey by Robert Half Management Resources shows that chief financial officers are feeling the burden of working long hours. In fact, 36 percent of CFOs surveyed said that if they could change one thing about their current position, they would work fewer hours.



Less meetings and more forgiving deadlines were the next most frequently cited responses, according to Robert Half. Why doesn’t any of that come as a surprise?


 



• Here’s some news that I know will interest a lot of you. The Olneyville New York System restaurant – finally giving in to years of requests – is selling its meat sauce recipe at more than 20 markets throughout Rhode Island, including Dave’s Marketplace, Shore’s Ruggieri’s, Wickford Gourmet, Michael’s Meats, Andreoni’s Market and many more.



The Hot Weiner Sauce Spice Mix comes in a 2.2-ounce bag with a recipe attached. It makes three, one-pound servings.


 


• And don’t forget the coffee syrup – if you want to get the full experience
of that last item.



No posts to display