FountainHead RI’s Spring 2026 Expert Panel brought together the leaders shaping Rhode Island’s hospitality and tourism economy for a candid conversation about where the industry is heading and what it will take to get there.
Held at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, the panel featured Dan McConaghy, CEO of the RI Convention Center; Kristen Adamo, CEO of the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau; and Farouk Rajab, CEO of the RI Hospitality Association. The conversation was moderated by Susanna Flores, National Director of the Hawai’i Visitors & Convention Bureau, whose national vantage point brought a sharp comparative lens to the discussion.
Together, the panelists offered on-the-ground perspective on the opportunities and pressures defining hospitality in the region today, from workforce development and visitor experience to the long-term positioning of Providence as a destination. The exchange reflected what FountainHead RI was built for: bringing the right voices into the same room to move the conversation forward.
A highlight reel from the event including the full panel session is available on the FountainHead RI YouTube channel and here:
