February Industry Newsletter

February Marketing Meeting

Please join us on Wednesday, February 12th at 11am at the Newport Art Museum for our marketing meeting as we present:

A Conversation with Local Media: A Look Inside Our Evolving Newsrooms

What makes a good story? How far in advance should you be sending local outlets news or event information? How do you break through the clutter and reach reporters and editors? Gain valuable insights on how to meaningfully connect with local media and how Newport County’s journalists are selecting what they’ll cover and the various methods they leverage to share – and engage – with readers.

Newport Art Museum is located at 76 Bellevue Avenue in Newport . There are two parking lots onsite: one by the front entrance and one behind the museum off Downing Street (enter through the South Entrance). Street parking is available around the museum including on Bellevue Avenue in front of the museum’s campus.

Newport Burger Bender

Our destination’s “best burger” contest returns February 14 – 23, coinciding with the Newport Winter Festival. Thirty-nine burgers ranging from meaty messes to plant-based palate pleasers will heat up the competition, all vying for the coveted trophy and burger bragging rights. To learn more about the contenders and get in on all the aioli-dripping, arugula- or Applewood smoked bacon-topped action, click here .

Save the Date: Social Media Boot Camp

In lieu of our April marketing meeting, Discover Newport will be hosting a half-day social media boot camp entitled, How to Win at Social Media: Secret Tips for Stronger ROI on April 8th from 8:15am to 1pm (venue TBD). This event will cover three critical areas of social media marketing: content development, inspiring shares and leveraging hashtags for growth.

The content is perfectly suited for:

Do-It-Yourself marketers
Marketing managers who “do it all” but are not social media specialists
Social media professionals looking to strengthen their strategy, sharpen their product development and be more persuasive on each individual channel

Venue and registration info will be posted to the industry page on our website in the near future.

People In the News +

On the Move

Welcome Bradford Ajello , the new General Manager at the Ramada Inn Middletown.

Congratulations to Shawn Borges who has been named General Manager of the Hotel Viking.

Charlie Holder , General Manager at Midtown Oyster Bar, has been appointed to the Rhode Island Hospitality Association’s Board of Directors.

The Newport Art Museum welcomes Jen McMahan as the organization’s Facility Rentals & Special Events Manager.

Tom McNiff , co-owner and operator of The General’s Crossing Brewhouse in Jamestown, has been appointed to Discover Newport’s Board of Directors representing the town of Jamestown.

Randi Milewsk i has been appointed General Manager of the new Hammets Hotel, scheduled for a May 2020 opening. This is a return to Newport for Randi who previously worked at the Hyatt on Goat Island prior to the conversion to Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina.

Andy Ross has been named General Manager of the Brenton Hotel, scheduled for a June 2020 opening.

Congratulations to Rick Schad who has been named Director of the National Museum of American Illustration.

The Brenton Hotel , The Wayfinder Hotel and Hammetts Hotel have been included on Travel + Leisure magazine’s list of Best New Hotels to Book Around the World in 2020 .

Parade Magazine names Newport among the 25 Best Weekend Getaways in New England .

Men’s Journal took an in-depth look at the Best Ways to Explore the Off-Season in Newport .

DiscoverNewport.org