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Rhodies In Transit -- We Mean Business!

Thursday, April 10, 8-11:30am

Rhode Island Convention Center

Nashville biz leaders to headline Rhode Island Transit Forum

They'll share their story of winning voter approval for better transit and why it became a priority for their growing metro region

Nashville, Tennessee was one of 46 cities across the U.S. in 2024 that successfully passed a ballot initiative to improve public transit.

Throughout the country, cities and states are investing in better transit and walkable communities as leaders position their cities and states to compete for mobile, innovative workers in a rapidly changing economy. Closer to home, you may have read that Hasbro is prioritizing ‘convenient access to public transit‘ when considering a future location that will help them attract and retain talent. Quality public transit systems can not only significantly boost economic development, but also Main Street revitalization, location-efficient housing, sustainability and better public health, all while reducing the cost of living and easing traffic congestion.

We’ll also hear from RIPTA CEO Chris Durand about RIPTA’s vision and progress toward implementing its data-driven and publicly vetted Transit Master Plan, as well as its fiscal challenges. Then we'll wrap the morning with a panel of local business leaders who have been joining us on the bus to get coffee and discuss transit-driven opportunities for a stronger, healthier Rhode Island.

Thank you to the forum sponsors

who's generosity makes this free to attend

AGENDA

8:00 a.m.

Check-in / Continental Breakfast / Networking

8:30 a.m.

Welcome

Scott Wolf, Executive Director, Grow Smart RI

David Salvatore, Executive Director, The Providence Foundation

Special Remarks

The Honorable Brett Smiley, Mayor of Providence

Christopher Durand, CEO, Rohde Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA)

Phillip Eng, CEO, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (invited)

Liza Burkin, Board President, Providence Streets Coalition

9:30 a.m.

Keynote

Ashley Northington, Chair, Moving Forward, Nashville Chamber of Commerce Transit Coalition

Sam Davidson, CEO, Nashville Entrepreneur Center

Follow-up Discussion - Patrick Anderson, Providence Journal (Moderator)

10:30 a.m.

Networking Break

11:00 a.m.

Rhodies-in-Transit Panel Discussion

Antonia Noori Farzan, Providence Journal (Moderator)

Kristin Adamo, CEO, Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau

Gaetan Kashala, Executive Director, Pawtucket Foundation

David Salvatore, Executive Director, The Providence Foundation

Christopher Durand, CEO, Rhode Island Public Transit Authority

Antonia Noori Farzan authored two Providence Journal stories about the challenges and opportunities of relying on transit as a main mode of travel.

She conducted an experiment of relying only on RIPTA for one week and then reported on her findings. Then a month later she reported on the opportunities for meeting those challenges through elements of Rhode Island's Transit Master Plan.

What's it like to rely on RIPTA to get around the state? We tried it for a week. - 3/14/24

Over 70% of Rhode Islanders live near a RIPTA bus stop. Could this plan help get ridership up? - 4/10/24

11:25 a.m.

Wrap-Up / Closing Remarks

Scott Wolf, Executive Director, Grow Smart RI

Attend the RI Home Show for free after the forum

Courtesy of the RI Builders Association (RIBA), transit forum attendees will be offered complimentary tickets to the Home Show - the ribbon-cutting ceremony is at Noon.

About the Keynote Speakers

Ashley Northington, Chair

Nashville Chamber of Commerce ‘Choose How You Move’ Initiative

As Senior Vice President of Change Management and Strategy for RW Jones, the nation’s largest and most experienced strategic communications and marketing firm focused exclusively on serving education clients, it’s no wonder Ashley was tapped to lead the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce ‘Moving Forward’ initiative. Moving Forward is a group of business and community leaders dedicated to improving transit in support of the continued growth of the region’s economy. Under Ashley’s leadership, Moving Forward successfully led the charge for a $3.1 billion voter-approved referendum in 2024 that will invest in better transit, sidewalks and traffic signals as essential infrastructure for a modern 21st century economy.  

View Ashley's transit campaign message

Sam Davidson CEO, Entrepreneur Center



As a four-time entrepreneur who believes that the height of one’s success is directly related to the depth of their community, Sam is now CEO of Nashville Entrepreneur Center and was part of the Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Moving Forward’ initiative to alongside Ashley. In 2006, he began his entrepreneurial journey by founding Cool People Care, a media and merchandise company that leveraged new technology to connect thousands of individuals to causes and nonprofits in local communities around the US. Cool People Care’s line of eco-friendly and cause-related merchandise raised over $125,000 for causes ranging from disaster relief to hunger awareness. And that was just the beginning. He then went on to co-found three more impactful companies.

View Sam's transit campaign message

Was that Congressman Gabe Amo on the Bus?

YES IT WAS. Read all about it here!

You might have also seen the likes of Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera and business and civic leader Joe Paolino, and other Rhode Island notables. We’re riding the bus and meeting for coffee with Rhode Island’s key business, civic and elected leaders. Why? To experience our public transit system together, first-hand, and to shine a light on the outsized role that a strengthened transit system can play in so many statewide priorities. From housing production and economic development to our environment, public health, and to saving people money, investing in transit is a win for Rhode Island. The latest to join us was Congressman Gabe Amo! 

Grow Smart RI | www.GrowSmartRI.org