Site Visits

The Quonset Business Park is the region’s leading engine of job growth and economic development. Home to 229 companies and more than 13,000 jobs, including 1 in 5 manufacturing jobs in Rhode Island, Quonset is a real Rhode Island success story.

The Business Park generates over $5.9 billion in annual economic output for the state and $1.72 billion in annual household income for Rhode Island families. Quonset’s success is driven by world-class infrastructure, a unique permitting system that guarantees businesses can put shovels in the ground within 90 days of site control and a world-class multimodal transportation network. Quonset’s Port of Davisville, Rhode Island’s only public port, is one of the Top 10 auto importers in North America. The Quonset State Airport, Seaview Railroad and Quonset’s proximity to I-95 ensures that companies at the Business Park can move materials and product by sea, air, rail and land.

To learn more about the opportunities for growth at Quonset and its overall impact, join us for a tour of the Business Park.

Complimentary buses will depart the Omni Providence at 11 a.m. Attendees will return to Providence at 2 p.m., leaving plenty of time to explore the city before the Awards Dinner on Wednesday evening.

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Hope & Main is Rhode Island’s premier culinary incubator. Our 1915 school building was retrofitted to hold 4 commercial production kitchens where now more than 25% of new food businesses begin. We help entrepreneurs get licensed and permitted, solidify their recipes, branding, and funding so they can sell at markets and grocery stores all over New England and the Country!

First, we’ll take a beautiful 25 minute ride down the shores of the Providence River and the start of the Narragansett Bay to the small town of Warren RI. You’ll get a tour of our headquarters, event spaces, and commissary kitchens here. You can meet member business and Hope & Main staff.

Next, we’ll drive into Providence where you will visit our Downtown Makers Marketplace. This is a cafe and marketplace featuring predominantly Hope & Main member made products! You’ll have a chance to enjoy a meal and product samples at the cafe.

We’ll have you back to the Omni between 1-2pm.

We hope you’ll join us and discover what’s new in local Rhode Island food and drink.

Sign up here to visit our facility on the tour. The tour holds 25 and begins at 10am.

Headquartered at its 131,000-square-foot brewing campus in the heart of downtown Pawtucket, Rhode Island, The Guild Brewing Company is the state’s largest craft brewery and among the nation’s top 50 in terms of production. ​

In addition to brewing its own line of Guild-branded craft beers, The Guild operates under a “craft beer cooperative” business model, using its state-of-the-art equipment to manufacture, package and distribute several varieties of craft beer and seltzer on behalf of its nine contracted brewing partners.

During this experience, attendees can expect:

• A guided tour of The Guild’s brewhouse and canning facility, the core pieces of an operation that annually produces nearly 800,000 cases of craft beverages (for context: That’s roughly 18 million cans!)​
• Q&A with The Guild’s co-founder, Jeremy Duffy​
• Samples of craft beer before, during and after the tour​

Sign up here >> | Bus departs Omni at 11AM; Returns 3PM

Founded in Rhode Island and located in North Kingstown, Edesia is a non-profit, social enterprise that makes life-saving ready-to-use foods to help end the global malnutrition crisis. Since its launch in 2010 Edesia has more than 21 million children 65 countries through its partnerships with UNICEF, WFP, USAID, and others.

The guided tour of the Edesia factory will include a close-up look at their production and an informative look at how food innovation can help solve one of the world’s most challenging problems.

Note: soy, milk and tree nuts are processed in this facility and this tour is not appropriate for guests with allergies to these ingredients. Closed-toed shoes must be worn.

Sign up here >> | Bus departs Omni 11AM; Returns 2PM

Boats manufactured by Blount Boats sail across the open and are also used in maritime construction and commerce. Join the tour of the Blount Shipyard and you will see how and where some of these ships are built.

The Blount Boats Shipyard is located on six acres of land in Warren, Rhode Island and includes fabrication sheds, storage facilities, office spaces, residential properties, docks, a marine railway and parking. It has a full complement of marine trade skills and facilities for building and repairing commercial vessels.

Sign up here >> | Bus departs Omni 11AM; Returns 2PM

After two days of panel discussions and networking, some attendees may want to get away for the day. If that’s you, take a roughly 45-minute bus trip to downtown Newport to explore and enjoy the City by the Sea. Our chartered bus service will drop attendees off at The Breakers, a national historic landmark and the grandest of Newport’s line of iconic mansions.

From there, attendees are welcome to explore the city on their own. Rhode Island Commerce and partners will be on hand to provide recommendations for lunch or sight-seeing.

Sign up here >> Bus departs Omni 9AM; Returns 2PM

Skip the bus trip, and stay in downtown Providence for an afternoon of history, architecture, food & drinks, and arts. Rhode Island Commerce is working with its partners across the state to host Go Global Awards attendees for a day in the capital city that showcases everything beautiful Providence has to offer.

During this experience, attendees can expect:

• Guided tours of the iconic Rhode Island State House, organized by Sec. of State.
• Guided tours of Atwells Avenue, the main artery of Providence’s Federal Hill Neighborhood, home to some of the best food in the country. Organized by Federal Hill Merchants Association
• Finish at Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art.

Sign up here >> No Bus | Depart Omni 10AM

This is an opportunity to take a tour of Unity Park in the heart of Bristol, Rhode Island.

Situated in the vibrant surroundings of Wood Street and home to more than a dozen thriving local businesses, Unity Park offers a serene and welcoming environment for individuals and families alike. As you enter this breathtaking space, you’ll be greeted by a harmonious blend of beautiful architecture and bustling businesses.

During the tour, attendees will have an opportunity to visit local businesses such as Pivotal Brewing, Basil & Bunny, Flux Marine, Sea Legs, Cote Architecture and more. The tour will conclude with a complimentary luncheon at Brick Pizza, where Unity Park’s team will discuss the property’s history.

Unity Park is a testament to the power of unity, fostering a sense of togetherness among residents and promoting a deep appreciation for the historical elements surrounding us. Come and experience the essence of community and tranquility at Unity Park—a cherished gem within the heart of Bristol, Rhode Island.

Complimentary transportation will pick guests up at the Omni Providence at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 8. Buses will depart Unity Park at roughly 2:30 p.m.

Sign up here >>