|
Message From The President
 As the Rhode Island
Hospitality Association moves into its 27th year, we leave
an especially difficult year behind us. 2009 was one of the most
challenging to our industry in recent memory. Rhode
Island, as well as the rest of the nation, was deeply
impacted by our country’s recession and we saw record
unemployment levels in our State, at times reaching the second highest
in the U.S.
During this tumultuous
period, The Rhode Island Hospitality Association found ways to help
strengthen the industry and its membership by getting back to our roots
and embracing a Culture of Community. The tenets of which are comprised
of the four “Cs”: Cooperation – working together for
a common effort to benefit the industry; Collaboration –
encouraging teamwork, support and community partnerships; Communication
– exchanging ideas, information, and opportunities; and
Connection – creating lasting relationships within the industry.
Through embracing these
tenets, we will continue to help our industry sustain jobs through our
Education Foundation’s training and workforce development
programs, save members up to 30% on their energy costs through our
electricity and natural gas buying programs, continue forward with our
new marketing program, the RI Dine Card, designed to entice the public
to spend dollars in member restaurants; and continue to strengthen
partnerships with community and government agencies including the
Department of Labor and Training and the Department of Environmental
Management for the betterment of the industry. Despite adverse
conditions, the industry continues to hold its own in this economy.
As we look to 2010, our commitment, hard
work, and dedication to our membership, our partners and our community
will remain our sole focus as we work to strengthen, educate, and grow
our industry.
Sincerely,
Dale J. Venturini
President/CEO
Rhode Island
Hospitality Association
|
