RIMA slates annual fundraiser for Nov. 3

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Manufacturers Association will present its seventh annual fundraiser, “A Golden Moment for Rhode Island Manufacturing,” on Saturday, Nov. 3.
“Each year, the highlight of the gala event at the State House is the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association’s Awards Ceremony,” RIMA Chairman Al T. Lubrano said in a statement.
“This year, Hodges Badge Co. Inc. and Tiffany & Co. will be honored as the recipients of the prestigious Commitment to Manufacturing Award, presented each year in memory of John Hazen White Sr.; Concordia Mfg. LLC will be honored as the Innovative Manufacturer of the Year; and Ronald K. Machtley, president of Bryant University, will receive the Manufacturing Partner Award,” Lubrano said.
“They each have made major contributions supporting the resurgence and growth of manufacturing in Rhode Island.”
More than 300 people representing manufacturers and organizations across the state are expected to attend the black-tie event, which is to include a champagne reception, a silent auction of Rhode Island-made products and artworks, dinner by Fine Catering by Russell Morin and dancing to the music of The Saraceno Ensemble.
Gov. Donald L. Carcieri and First Lady Suzanne Carcieri will serve as honorary chairpersons for the fundraiser. Stephen P. Fontes of Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems and his wife, Stephanie Fontes, along with ChemArt Co. President David R. Marquis and his wife, Jill Marquis, will serve as event co-chairpersons.
Meridian Printing, Raytheon IDS, Sovereign Bank of New England, Tiffany & Co. and TMI Engineered Material Systems are the event’s lead sponsors. Other major sponsors include ChemArt Co., Citizens Bank, Constellation NewEnergy, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP, A.J. Oster Co., Taco Inc. and Walco Electric Co.
Reservations are $175 per person. For tickets or other event information, call RIMA Executive Director John Grady at 751-0160 or visit the association Web site at www.rimanufacturers.com.
The Rhode Island Manufacturers Association is a trade group dedicated to improving the state’s business climate through public policy and work force development initiatives.