Director of Tourism for State of Rhode Island, David C. DePetrillo, Announces Retirement
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September 23, 2008 | Print this page | Share This | Email this page
The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) announced today that David C. DePetrillo, Director of Tourism for the State of Rhode Island, will retire from his position effective September 30, 2008. Concurrently, Mark Brodeur, Director of Tourism Operations, will be promoted to Director of Tourism for the State of Rhode Island.
"David is a nationally recognized leader in the tourism industry and has played an integral role in growing our state's tourism industry and significantly impacting our state's economy over the past three decades," said Saul Kaplan, Executive Director, RIEDC. "Under David's leadership, and in partnership with the University of Rhode Island, we were able to conduct the first comprehensive study on the economic impact of tourism within our state. David has pioneered the use of new technologies and marketing campaigns to grow this industry sector, and is credited with creating one of the first state tourism websites in the United States (www.visitrhodeisland.com). His efforts in the area of workforce development initiatives have also helped to retain the best hospitality and tourism talent in our state."
In 2007, Rhode Island's tourism industry recorded $4.24 billion tourism expenditures and visits to the Ocean State grew by 3 percent. The state's tourism industry is responsible for 5 percent of the total Gross State Product, and generates 12 percent of all state and local tax revenue. (Source: Global Insight, 2007). According to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, there are approximately 55,000 individuals employed within the state's tourism industry
DePetrillo is a founding member of the Rhode Island Geotourism Collaborative, a member of the Board and past Chairman of the National Council of State Tourism Directors, and has served on the Board of the Travel Industry Association (TIA). He is also a co-founder and Chairman of the Rhode Island Hospitality Education Foundation, which oversees a Workforce Development Partnership for the state's leisure, hospitality and tourism industry sector. DePetrillo has received numerous honors for his work and dedication to the tourism industry, including being selected by his peers as State Tourism Director of the Year, being awarded the Governor's Tourism Award, and being named Yankee Magazine's New England Tourism Person of the Year. He will continue to serve as Chairman the Rhode Island Hospitality Education Foundation following his retirement.
"For more than three decades, David has effectively promoted our state locally, regionally, nationally and internationally," said Evan Smith, President & CEO, Newport County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "He helped champion efforts which have significantly increased international tourism to our state via such programs as Discover New England. Rhode Island has also benefited greatly from David being a consistent voice and tireless advocate at the national level, particularly with the Travel Industry Association (TIA). For David, promoting Rhode Island was not a job but rather a lifelong passion that he took very seriously."
Mark Brodeur, a tourism industry veteran, has over 25 years of experience in the tourism industry. In his role as Director of Operations for the Rhode Island Tourism Division, Brodeur has been responsible for overseeing the division's tourism budget, advertising and public relations activities, market research and analysis, website design and development, client database management, direct mail campaigns and Rhode Island's involvement at tradeshow events. He currently serves as a Trustee for the Eastern States Exposition ("The Big E"), which draws approximately 1.2 million visitors each year in promoting New England's tourism destinations. Prior to this position, Brodeur served as Manager of the Rhode Island Welcome Center, and Director of Tour Services for Paragon Tours and Travel.
