January 2007
By Dale J. Venturini
President & CEO, Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association
Recently, the Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association held its Annual Meeting and Stars of the Industry Awards dinner. More than 500 employees of the hospitality and tourism industry joined together to celebrate the accomplishments of colleagues, friends and family. The Stars of the Industry Awards recognizes the outstanding achievements of members of the hospitality, foodservice and tourism industries. Award recipients were chosen not only for their dedication and contributions to their careers and the industry, but for their involvement in their local communities. The success of Rhode Island’s hospitality and tourism industry is a reflection of the individuals and businesses that make up the industry, and it is with great pleasure that I congratulate all of this year’s Stars of the Industry winners for their tremendous accomplishments. Their achievements go far in making the hospitality and tourism industry one of the most successful, strengthening the industry’s position as the cornerstone of the economy and the community.
The event gives us the opportunity each year to showcase the individuals who make up our industry. We should highlight these individuals, as well as the more than 61,000 employees who make up the fabric of the industry each and every day. And, now we can, through the National Restaurant’s Association Cornerstone Ambassador program.
In February 2000, the National Restaurant Association launched the Cornerstone Initiative, a bold new campaign to advance and promote the hospitality and tourism industry as the cornerstone in three core areas: the nation’s economy, career and employment opportunities and community involvement. With colorful stories, powerful anecdotes and the imaginative people behind our nation’s restaurant, hotel and attractions doors, the Cornerstone Initiative paints the picture of our industry to a variety of audiences: current and prospective employees, government officials, opinion leaders, the news media, the general public and more. Promoting the industry’s vast impact on our economy, the workforce and the betterment of our communities helps sustain and grow hospitality businesses on all levels—from small family-owned eateries to large hotels.
As a Cornerstone Ambassador, one of the most powerful tools you have at your disposal is the ability to share your success story with young people, the business community, civic leaders and government officials. You may choose to speak in front of an intimate gathering of business owners in your community, or a large group of students at your local high school. Whatever your comfort level, we encourage you to cultivate this skill and share your experiences with others. The National Restaurant Association has made it very easy to be an Ambassador through a step by step program available on the Association’s website: http://www.dineout.org/. While all the tools are there for you, being an ambassador can be as simple as doing your very best in your job each and every day. Setting an example for your employees, colleagues and customers, through hard work and promoting excellence is the best way to communicate the professionalism of our industry.
By Dale J. Venturini
President & CEO, Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association
Recently, the Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association held its Annual Meeting and Stars of the Industry Awards dinner. More than 500 employees of the hospitality and tourism industry joined together to celebrate the accomplishments of colleagues, friends and family. The Stars of the Industry Awards recognizes the outstanding achievements of members of the hospitality, foodservice and tourism industries. Award recipients were chosen not only for their dedication and contributions to their careers and the industry, but for their involvement in their local communities. The success of Rhode Island’s hospitality and tourism industry is a reflection of the individuals and businesses that make up the industry, and it is with great pleasure that I congratulate all of this year’s Stars of the Industry winners for their tremendous accomplishments. Their achievements go far in making the hospitality and tourism industry one of the most successful, strengthening the industry’s position as the cornerstone of the economy and the community.
The event gives us the opportunity each year to showcase the individuals who make up our industry. We should highlight these individuals, as well as the more than 61,000 employees who make up the fabric of the industry each and every day. And, now we can, through the National Restaurant’s Association Cornerstone Ambassador program.
In February 2000, the National Restaurant Association launched the Cornerstone Initiative, a bold new campaign to advance and promote the hospitality and tourism industry as the cornerstone in three core areas: the nation’s economy, career and employment opportunities and community involvement. With colorful stories, powerful anecdotes and the imaginative people behind our nation’s restaurant, hotel and attractions doors, the Cornerstone Initiative paints the picture of our industry to a variety of audiences: current and prospective employees, government officials, opinion leaders, the news media, the general public and more. Promoting the industry’s vast impact on our economy, the workforce and the betterment of our communities helps sustain and grow hospitality businesses on all levels—from small family-owned eateries to large hotels.
As a Cornerstone Ambassador, one of the most powerful tools you have at your disposal is the ability to share your success story with young people, the business community, civic leaders and government officials. You may choose to speak in front of an intimate gathering of business owners in your community, or a large group of students at your local high school. Whatever your comfort level, we encourage you to cultivate this skill and share your experiences with others. The National Restaurant Association has made it very easy to be an Ambassador through a step by step program available on the Association’s website: http://www.dineout.org/. While all the tools are there for you, being an ambassador can be as simple as doing your very best in your job each and every day. Setting an example for your employees, colleagues and customers, through hard work and promoting excellence is the best way to communicate the professionalism of our industry.
