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The latest report shared by the Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau (PWCVB) shows more than $23 million in direct spending on March and April events booked by the PWCVB and its subsidiary, the Rhode Island Sports Commission alone.
These findings indicate that business events and sports-related tourism continue to grow and have a greater impact on the local economy. This compares to $17 million in direct expenses for activity in the same month in 2023 and $13 million in 2022.
“Tourism revenue doesn’t just come from busy weekend leisure travel or high-profile college tournaments in the city—on any given weekday, there’s probably a conference in town,” says Tom Riel. Bringing millions of dollars into our economy.” PWCVB Senior Vice President. “They are the backbone of our business, and the latest March and April numbers are just a snapshot of the financial impact of these bookings. Our meeting spaces—from the Rhode Island Convention Center and Crowne Plaza to hotel ballrooms and conference rooms— —are all economic engines.”
Direct spending increased nearly 72% from March-April 2022 to 2024, driven in part by an increase in the total number of meetings booked. In 2022, 33 events were held in these months, compared to 38 in 2023 and 48 in 2024. Event attendance also saw an overall jump, doubling from 2022 to 2024, with an increase of 13,000 room nights booked.
“The business travel market is changing, and therefore our business model is changing. The growth we are seeing is a positive sign that we are moving in the right direction to meet our customers’ needs. If we can This way, we can continue to be a high-demand destination for these lucrative conferences,” Riel added.
The tourism and hospitality industry is a strong economic driver for Providence and Warwick, generating $85.7 million in trackable direct spending in 2024 from meetings and conferences and sporting event sales alone. Events held in March and April include the Association of Collegiate Conference & Event Directors Annual Conference with a direct spend value of $1.1 million; Varsity Spirit Spirit Fest Grand Nationals with a direct spend value of nearly $3 million; JLC Field Construction Training Demonstration and the North American Trenchless Technology Association Trenchless Expo, with direct expenses worth $1.3 million.
Source: Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau
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