President and CEO, Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association
“If we are together, nothing is impossible.”
These eloquent words stated by Winston Churchill are simple and straightforward, but speak volumes on the importance of partnerships. United, we can accomplish anything – and everyone benefits.
The hospitality and tourism industry in Rhode Island, and throughout the nation, has continued to prove itself as a cornerstone of the community. Whether it’s to fight hunger in our neighborhoods, mentor youth, or to raise funds for a host of causes, our industry is often first to support our local communities. In fact, the National Restaurant Association reports that nine out of 10 restaurateurs contribute food, money or other resources to charitable causes on a regular basis.
Fostering community partnerships is one of the most significant ways businesses can get involved in their communities, and its reach extends past any individual or industry. Creating alliances with philanthropic partners not only places your business in a leadership role within the community, but it also helps to strengthen the communities in which we live and work, benefiting the success of our businesses and our quality of life.
As an association, RIHTA takes pride in participating in many community partnerships throughout the year, including a recent alliance with the Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs (RIAFC) and its Fire Prevention Week campaign. The Association has partnered with Rhode Island’s Fire Marshal, George S. Farrell, to help educate the public on the importance of fire safety and prevention during 2006’s Fire Prevention Week, October 8-14. As part of the partnership, RIHTA will assist RIAFC by kicking-off campaign initiatives, such as a press conference with Governor Carcieri, Fire Marshall Farrell and the state’s fire chiefs, to help spread the word on this year’s national campaign theme, “Preventing Cooking Fires: Watch What You Heat.” RIHTA’s partnership with RIAFC is a win-win venture, as both associations can share resources to communicate the campaign’s important message to as many persons – consumers and business owners – as possible.
Helping to promote community initiatives is just one valuable reason to create partnerships with local organizations. Businesses can be an invaluable source of support to organizations endorsing or opposing legislative issues, and as we head into election season, this important type of partnership is all the more critical. In addition to the Association’s partnership with Save Our State, a non-partisan coalition to oppose the West Warwick Casino ballot question, RIHTA has lent its support and resources to organizations such as the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, the Housing Resources Commission, Roger Williams Park Zoo, and Fort Adams State Park, who are looking to Rhode Island’s voters to approve bond issues to help fund vital programs that benefit our state’s residents as well as the hospitality and tourism industry.
Another beneficial reason to create charitable partnerships is to offer support to events that both raise money for worthy causes and help bring the community together in the spirit of giving. Whether it’s offering complimentary catering services at a gala event, sponsoring a group of employees at a charity walk, hosting a charity drive of canned goods or clothing, or simply donating funds to a philanthropic organization, supporting charitable endeavors truly strengthens our neighborhoods, and highlights our industry’s commitment to giving back to the community that serves us well.
The National Restaurant Association often refers to restaurants as the “cornerstones of the community,” and Rhode Island’s hospitality industry is no exception. I encourage you to give the Association a call to learn more about the community partnerships RIHTA has developed on behalf of our membership, and other ways your business can give back.
The hospitality and tourism industry in Rhode Island, and throughout the nation, has continued to prove itself as a cornerstone of the community. Whether it’s to fight hunger in our neighborhoods, mentor youth, or to raise funds for a host of causes, our industry is often first to support our local communities. In fact, the National Restaurant Association reports that nine out of 10 restaurateurs contribute food, money or other resources to charitable causes on a regular basis.
Fostering community partnerships is one of the most significant ways businesses can get involved in their communities, and its reach extends past any individual or industry. Creating alliances with philanthropic partners not only places your business in a leadership role within the community, but it also helps to strengthen the communities in which we live and work, benefiting the success of our businesses and our quality of life.
As an association, RIHTA takes pride in participating in many community partnerships throughout the year, including a recent alliance with the Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs (RIAFC) and its Fire Prevention Week campaign. The Association has partnered with Rhode Island’s Fire Marshal, George S. Farrell, to help educate the public on the importance of fire safety and prevention during 2006’s Fire Prevention Week, October 8-14. As part of the partnership, RIHTA will assist RIAFC by kicking-off campaign initiatives, such as a press conference with Governor Carcieri, Fire Marshall Farrell and the state’s fire chiefs, to help spread the word on this year’s national campaign theme, “Preventing Cooking Fires: Watch What You Heat.” RIHTA’s partnership with RIAFC is a win-win venture, as both associations can share resources to communicate the campaign’s important message to as many persons – consumers and business owners – as possible.
Helping to promote community initiatives is just one valuable reason to create partnerships with local organizations. Businesses can be an invaluable source of support to organizations endorsing or opposing legislative issues, and as we head into election season, this important type of partnership is all the more critical. In addition to the Association’s partnership with Save Our State, a non-partisan coalition to oppose the West Warwick Casino ballot question, RIHTA has lent its support and resources to organizations such as the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, the Housing Resources Commission, Roger Williams Park Zoo, and Fort Adams State Park, who are looking to Rhode Island’s voters to approve bond issues to help fund vital programs that benefit our state’s residents as well as the hospitality and tourism industry.
Another beneficial reason to create charitable partnerships is to offer support to events that both raise money for worthy causes and help bring the community together in the spirit of giving. Whether it’s offering complimentary catering services at a gala event, sponsoring a group of employees at a charity walk, hosting a charity drive of canned goods or clothing, or simply donating funds to a philanthropic organization, supporting charitable endeavors truly strengthens our neighborhoods, and highlights our industry’s commitment to giving back to the community that serves us well.
The National Restaurant Association often refers to restaurants as the “cornerstones of the community,” and Rhode Island’s hospitality industry is no exception. I encourage you to give the Association a call to learn more about the community partnerships RIHTA has developed on behalf of our membership, and other ways your business can give back.
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