There was so much to do and so little time to do it,” says Kathy Smith, CMP, director of meetings for the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine.
Smith is talking about the association’s recent 55th Annual Meeting held in Providence.
“I can truthfully say that attendees talked a great deal about what a surprise Providence was for them,” Smith says. “Some from as close as New York and New Jersey took the train in and commented that they would return with their families, as they found Providence to be a jewel they wanted to explore further.”
With an attendance of 1,059, Smith used the convention center, the Westin, Marriott Courtyard, Hilton and Renaissance hotels for the event.
“They are all good,” she says. “The Westin because it is connected directly to the center was a must, and the center was a great fit for our meeting—not too large, not too small. The Courtyard and Hilton are great hotels and offered a reduced price point, which was a bonus. The Renaissance is a delightful redo and a must-see. The general manager even gave a couple of my attendees a tour, and they weren’t even staying there.”
Smith used the facility for their exhibit hall, poster sessions, plenary sessions, workshops, courses, morning seminars, special interest groups, president’s reception, award ceremony, recertification examination and committee meetings. They began early in the morning and went until late at night.
“The size of the center was good, the city very walkable, and there was so much to do and see,” Smith says. “Providence is a delightful city to walk and experience. There are many wonderful restaurants, which my attendees loved, as they enjoy good food and wine. They also liked the fact that in a short period of time they could get out and see some of the city and still get back for the next session.”
Smith publicized the Thursday night art tours and gallery openings and did tours of the area, including Newport and Bristol.
Groups also toured with a chef, who took them shopping and enjoyed the ethnic foods of the area. She also built an evening social event around Waterfire, which centers on a series of 100 bonfires that blaze just above the surface of the three rivers that pass through the middle of downtown Providence. The award-winning sculpture by Barnaby Evans installed on the rivers has been praised as a powerful work of art and a moving symbol of Providence’s renaissance.
“With RISD there to promote all types of art, you can see the influence it has had on the city,” Smith says. “From Waterfire and the mosaic wall across from the center to the large art pieces throughout the city and even the framed graffiti artist photographs at the Renaissance, it feels like art is everywhere in Providence.”
