Lancet Jades
02-13-2004, 09:08 PM
Providence eyeing DNC bounty
City officials hope to lure delegates with ad campaign
By Sasha Talcott, Globe Correspondent, 2/13/2004
The chic wine and cheese parties, champagne-drenched soirees, and high-powered delegates promise to be Boston's bounty for hosting the four-day Democratic National Convention.
But don't tell that to Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline. The upstart city leader has been boasting that the convention is really coming to the "Greater Providence metropolitan area" -- and he's launched a full-throttle assault to make that true.
It's not enough that cheap flights to T. F. Green Airport in nearby Warwick, R.I., have siphoned traffic from Logan International. Cicilline wants more, plotting day trips for delegates, hotel discounts, and aggressive advertising to lure convention-goers to the state that planners are calling "Gateway to the Democratic National Convention."
Organizers from the city's business and political communities have spent the past year floating ideas for such slogans and designing DNC brochures to mail to delegates. They're touting a new Providence, with art galleries and attractions such as the 100 bonfires that light its riverfront. They also don't mind taking a few swipes at Boston's traffic and expense.
"We have tremendous historic architecture, we're easy to get around, and our hotels are less expensive," said David C. DePetrillo, the state's director of tourism. "The city has really blossomed in terms of its urban renaissance."
In his promotional zeal, Cicilline can unspool almost unending reasons for making the trip to his city. Delivering his sales pitch, he says he envisions busloads of delegates flocking to Providence for a tour of the museum at the Rhode Island School of Design, a neighborhood festival, and lunch in a waterfront restaurant. Later in the day, he said, delegates could stop on the riverwalk, visit art galleries, and dance to Cape Verdean or salsa music in an outdoor ballroom.
"The great thing about the city of Boston is its proximity to the city of Providence," he said. "All the delegates will come to Boston and have a wonderful time, but just 40 minutes away is an equally wonderful city."
According to Yahoo! Providence is 66 minutes away.
Still, Rhode Island leaders are unearthing more and more reasons to visit.
"We have Nordstrom and Boston doesn't, so they can shop till they drop," said Jack McConnell, chairman of the Providence Tourism Council. "We have finer restaurants than Boston. We have fabulous ethnic neighborhoods that are very convenient. We have great original theater. We have fabulous arts and cultural institutions that Boston doesn't have."
He then confessed he was on his way to catch a play in Boston.
The task force is planning to send delegates e-mails, notes from Rhode Island bigwigs, and launch a website pushing the state as an alternative convention destination.
The stakes for a piece of the convention action are high. Boston officials have said it will put $150 million into the local economy, and they're not eager to push alternative locations.
"We're thrilled that Mayor Cicilline and the entire Rhode Island delegation are excited about the upcoming convention," said Karen Grant, a spokeswoman for Boston's convention host committee. "They're going to have a great time in Boston, like the other 35,000 visitors who are coming to Boston that week."
For Providence's mayor the convention may bring one other benefit: a chance to rub elbows with big-name politicos.
"I plan to host some exciting events myself with the Democratic leaders," Cicilline said.
Sasha Talcott can be reached at stalcott@globe.com.
City officials hope to lure delegates with ad campaign
By Sasha Talcott, Globe Correspondent, 2/13/2004
The chic wine and cheese parties, champagne-drenched soirees, and high-powered delegates promise to be Boston's bounty for hosting the four-day Democratic National Convention.
But don't tell that to Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline. The upstart city leader has been boasting that the convention is really coming to the "Greater Providence metropolitan area" -- and he's launched a full-throttle assault to make that true.
It's not enough that cheap flights to T. F. Green Airport in nearby Warwick, R.I., have siphoned traffic from Logan International. Cicilline wants more, plotting day trips for delegates, hotel discounts, and aggressive advertising to lure convention-goers to the state that planners are calling "Gateway to the Democratic National Convention."
Organizers from the city's business and political communities have spent the past year floating ideas for such slogans and designing DNC brochures to mail to delegates. They're touting a new Providence, with art galleries and attractions such as the 100 bonfires that light its riverfront. They also don't mind taking a few swipes at Boston's traffic and expense.
"We have tremendous historic architecture, we're easy to get around, and our hotels are less expensive," said David C. DePetrillo, the state's director of tourism. "The city has really blossomed in terms of its urban renaissance."
In his promotional zeal, Cicilline can unspool almost unending reasons for making the trip to his city. Delivering his sales pitch, he says he envisions busloads of delegates flocking to Providence for a tour of the museum at the Rhode Island School of Design, a neighborhood festival, and lunch in a waterfront restaurant. Later in the day, he said, delegates could stop on the riverwalk, visit art galleries, and dance to Cape Verdean or salsa music in an outdoor ballroom.
"The great thing about the city of Boston is its proximity to the city of Providence," he said. "All the delegates will come to Boston and have a wonderful time, but just 40 minutes away is an equally wonderful city."
According to Yahoo! Providence is 66 minutes away.
Still, Rhode Island leaders are unearthing more and more reasons to visit.
"We have Nordstrom and Boston doesn't, so they can shop till they drop," said Jack McConnell, chairman of the Providence Tourism Council. "We have finer restaurants than Boston. We have fabulous ethnic neighborhoods that are very convenient. We have great original theater. We have fabulous arts and cultural institutions that Boston doesn't have."
He then confessed he was on his way to catch a play in Boston.
The task force is planning to send delegates e-mails, notes from Rhode Island bigwigs, and launch a website pushing the state as an alternative convention destination.
The stakes for a piece of the convention action are high. Boston officials have said it will put $150 million into the local economy, and they're not eager to push alternative locations.
"We're thrilled that Mayor Cicilline and the entire Rhode Island delegation are excited about the upcoming convention," said Karen Grant, a spokeswoman for Boston's convention host committee. "They're going to have a great time in Boston, like the other 35,000 visitors who are coming to Boston that week."
For Providence's mayor the convention may bring one other benefit: a chance to rub elbows with big-name politicos.
"I plan to host some exciting events myself with the Democratic leaders," Cicilline said.
Sasha Talcott can be reached at stalcott@globe.com.