September Industry Newsletter

Marketing Meeting – Save the Date

As September remains such a busy time for local businesses, marketing meetings will resume next month. Save the date: Wed., Oct. 16 at 11am at Innovate Newport located at 513 Broadway, Newport.

New Destination Expert on Board

Discover Newport welcomes Pam Blauvelt , our Destination Expert focusing on the group tour and the SMERF (social/sports, military, education, religious and fraternal) meetings market. With more than 10 years’ experience in the hospitality industry in New England, Pam has served as a corporate and association sales manager as well as a director of sales serving both independent boutique properties and large franchises. Her most recent role was as Sales Manager at The Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina.

Harbor Lights Newport

Harbor Lights Newport, a new event presented by Discover Newport and the Newport Maritime Alliance, promises to “enlighten” visitors and residents alike Sept. 20-21. Boat owners, marinas and waterfront businesses will illuminate their vessels, docks, yacht clubs, shops and restaurants with festive lights from dusk until 10 p.m. both nights, rain or shine. This event is not a boat parade. Rather, illuminated vessels will remain in their slips or on their moorings while people stroll the waterfront and boat owners can host a festive end-of-summer party onboard with family and friends as together, we welcome the fall travel season in a unique and luminescent way. For more details, click here .

Newport Restaurant Week

Newport Restaurant Week returns November 1-10. Prix-fixe pricing for two-course lunches is $20. For dinner, three-course meals will be $35, but restaurants can also opt to offer a three-course “premier menu” which can include upgraded dishes (lobster, Kobe beef, etc.) and/or additional courses (cocktail, beer or wine pairings or “flights”), provided the menu maintains the $50 price point. (Note: we recommend restaurants with a premier menu to also offer a $35 menu.) Restaurateurs can expect an email from Julie Grant this week regarding sign-ups but if you have questions, contact Julie at 401-845-9145 or [email protected] .

NOTE: Discover Newport will return Newport Restaurant Week to an annual event in 2020, so there will not be a spring 2020 Restaurant Week but there will be a fall (November 6-15, 2020) event.

U.S. Open: Call for Volunteers

The USGA and Newport Country Club announced that volunteer applications for the 2020 U.S. Senior Open are now available. The 41st U.S. Senior Open is scheduled for June 22-28. Over 2,000 unpaid volunteers are needed to fill positions on 18 different committees. Join the team for a one-of-a-kind, behind the scenes experience. Visit usga.org/2020senioropenvolunteers for details.

Call for Packages

Rhode Island Tourism is creating regional travel itineraries to attract visitors during the slower months to be featured on VisitRhodeIsland.com. Along with Discover Newport, Commerce is looking to highlight lodging properties offering specials, promotions and packages active now through the end of the year, especially those encouraging mid-week travel. This information will also be shared with the State’s PR agency for media pitching in addition to being posted and promoted on DiscoverNewport.org.

We’re also receiving media requests for winter- and spring-themed packages and promotions as many long-lead publications plan their editorial calendars months in advance. Please send your specials, promotions and packages to Andrea McHugh at [email protected] or upload directly here .