Kirkbrae Country Club, Lincoln, Rhode Island The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council 20th Anniversary Annual Dinner September 29, 2005

We are a Destination (Intro Letter) | We've Always Fought the Uphill Battle (History)
Chris and Lisa Van Allsburg (2005 Lifetime Achievement Award) | Who Are We (Staff, volunteers)
20 Years of Imagination (Accomplishment Timeline) | Thanks to Our Sponsors

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	20 Years of Imagination A Tourism Council Timeline
1985
Founded the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council on Bob Billington’s kitchen table in Cumberland.
1986
General Assembly approved first hotel room tax that sends a few pennies per visitor to fund tourism efforts. Valley’s hotels and motels were Woonsocket Motor Inn, Howard Johnsons in Pawtucket and Hi- View in North Smithfield. Hired Bob Billington as council’s first full-time director. Federal government authorized the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. (In 1999, it would be named for the late U.S. Sen. John Chafee.)
1987
Moved to first office - 120-squarefoot North Gate building on Lincoln’s Old Louisquisset Pike. Created 8-foot-tall William Blackstone character to march in parades and make public appearances. Welcomed first interns from the Johnson and Wales College’s Department of Travel and Tourism.
1988
Launched the slogan “Destination Blackstone River Valley - Something new, something different.” Enticed Conway Bus Service to schedule seven tours of Blackstone Valley highlights, a move that educates local residents and prompts outside companies, like Chariot World Tours of Boston and Camara Tours of New Bedford to bring buses filled with tourists for the first time. Filled more than 10,000 requestsfor information about the valley.
1989
Launched Blackstone Valley Tourism One, a 16-foot rubber raft secured through Navy surplus. Government VIPS and news writers got early looks at a surprisingly scenic river that had been shunned for decades. Started fall foliage sight-seeing tours aboard the Providence & Worcester Railroad. Released “The Fiber That Wove America’s Spirit,” the Blackstone Valley’s first promotional videotape, produced by Mike Bannon and highlighted by Pendragon’s singing of “The Working River.” Established the Travel Experiences trade show with Conway Tours, now in its 17th year.
1990
Yankee magazine featured chicken family style dining in the Blackstone Valley, a story that prompted 90 requests for information in the first two weeks. Opened first cruises on the Blackstone River - using a glass-bottom boat supplied by Luther Blount - They proved access to the water is critical to the Blackstone Valley’s future. Access landings were eventually planned in Pawtucket, Central Falls, Cumberland, Uxbridge and Woonsocket. Launched three-year “Let’s Build a Boat” campaign to raise $50,000 and purchase 49-foot Explorer riverboat.
1991
Relocated to the 500-square-foot office in the Blackstone Valley Electric Building on Route 116. A September open house included Gov. Bruce Sundlun. First Steamboat Muster at State Pier on School Street, Pawtucket.
1992
Wrote and published the first comprehensive tourism guide for the Blackstone Valley.
1993
Launched the 49-passenger Explorer riverboat; first riverboat on the Blackstone in 170 years.
1994
Offered President Bill Clinton his first look at America’s Blackstone Valley while in Rhode Island for the 200th anniversary of the Slater Mill. Signed the Blackstone Valley-Amber Valley Compact in Belper, England.
1995
Expanded and relocated Tourism Council headquarters to Main Street, Pawtucket, while opening the first year-round, full-time visitors center on the Blackstone River. Purchased the Blackstone Valley’s first trolley in 60 years in partnership with Conway Gray Line of Cumberland. Put students on the river for the first time by developing River in the Classroom program that offered lessons on history, ecology, wildlife.
1996
Hosted 45-member Thorton’s English Brass Band. Hollywood star Dustin Hoffman comes to Pawtucket to film “American Buffalo” and, along with TV star Dennis Franz, leaves behind handprints in Times Square.
1997
Established plans for first Blackstone Valley Watershed Council Coordinated World Canal Conference in October Introduced Blackstone Valley Chicken – Seymour De Vallee character. Presented First Lady Hillary Clinton with a Blackstone Valley poster at the Slater Mill. Developed Christmas trolley tours through Blackstone Valley neighborhoods
1998
Launched a second riverboat, the Spirit of the Blackstone Valley. Established Rhode Island Rivers Day on third Saturday of June to celebrate the Blackstone’s impact on the community and honor volunteers who’ve helped clean it up. Laid the keel for the British-built canal boat in England. Blackstone River, already “America’s hardest working river,” receives the prestigious designation, named an American Heritage River.
1999
Launched Hope and Renaissance, two European-style ferry boats to shuttle commuters between Providence and Pawtucket.
2000
Welcomed Mr. Potato head in the form of William Blackstone and Betty the Elephant. Launched the Samuel Slater British canal boat offering overnight accommodations and daytime cruising. Introduced dragon boat racing to the Blackstone River
2001
Hosted an 18-person tour group from the Amber Valley in England, hometown of Samuel Slater. Began work on the Central Falls Landing, a project that places a massive dock on the river and opens room for commercial and residential spaces. Hosted more than 3,000 parents and children aboard the Polar Express, a Christmas outing based on the classic story by Chris Van Allsburg.
2002
Purchased the 1981 British model double-decker tour bus, only one of its kind in Rhode Island. Sent 7-foot-tall Mr. Potato Head to England, thereby creating world wide publicity for the Blackstone Valley.
2003
Created the first Easter Bunny Express in the Blackstone Valley along the Blackstone Valley Scenic Railway tour. Over 600 people attend. Partnered with the Great American Cleanup in the Blackstone Valley. In cooperation with 9 communities and the Friends of the Blackstone, over more than 3,000 tires are cleaned-up along the Blackstone River. Created DeTours self-guided maps for visitors to follow themed tours around the Blackstone Valley.
2004-2005
BVTC was licensed by Warner Brothers to host the Blackstone Valley Polar Express, one of five nationwide, over 3,000 attended. BikeBlackstone.com- Web site and program of four bike trails and Bike Rhode Island program. Eventsblackstone.com - produced a usable web calendar for Blackstone Valley events. GolfBlackstone.com - First Heritage Golf Tournament. New Elderhostel Bike Program, developed several new 3-day and 5-day programs for Elderhostel. BlackstoneCanoeTrail.com - canoes painted by local artist displayed along the Blackstone River Heritage Corridor. FootstepsinHistory.com - Columbus Day Weekend, Footsteps in History Preserve America Weekend, A Celebration of the Centuries.

We are a Destination (Intro Letter) | We've Always Fought the Uphill Battle (History)
Chris and Lisa Van Allsburg (2005 Lifetime Achievement Award) | Who Are We (Staff, volunteers)
20 Years of Imagination (Accomplishment Timeline) | Thanks to Our Sponsors

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Core Values and Origins | Our Standards | What We Do | Work Plan 2006 | Marketing Plan | 20th Anniversary Annual Report
2006 Budget | Accomplishments | Staff/Contact Info  | Board of Directors | Legacy Trust