Vendors to create tourism jobs in Rhode Island

Posted on March 6, 2017

Three vendors have been chosen to create more tourism jobs in Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation today announced that it has selected three vendors to execute its upcoming tourism campaign. At this month’s meeting, the Commerce Corporation Board voted to authorize the Commerce Corporation to enter into agreements with NAIL Communications, the RDW Group, and NJF, an MMGY Global company.

Under the leadership of Lara Salamano, the state’s Chief Marketing Officer, these three firms will coordinate aspects of the state’s tourism campaigns, including content creation, advertising, media buying, and public relations. Both NAIL and RDW Group are based in Providence.

“As a Rhode Island native, this is especially exciting,” said Lara Salamano, Chief Marketing Officer for the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation. “The agencies selected represent a tremendous amount of local knowledge, creativity, resourcefulness and most importantly, industry expertise. Competition for tourism dollars and business development opportunities is strong, and these partners will help us showcase the many elements that make our state such a special place to live, visit, and work.”

The Corporation received 36 responses to the RFP that was issued in November. Staff representing the Executive Office of Commerce, the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, the state’s regional tourism bureaus, and business leaders including representatives of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, participated in the review of nine contractors (three Rhode Island based) who were selected to present their respective proposed plans and credentials.

The Corporation will enter into separate agreements with these agencies on March 1, 2017 for a 12- month agreement; with the option to renew for an additional 12 months. With the funding as follows: • RDW Group: $1.7M • NAIL: $978,000 • MMGY: $473,000