Our professional team combines over 70 years of event experience and creativity in designing, coordinating and executing activities and events for corporate meetings, conventions, and incentive groups. Our expertise in mansion events, theme parties, clambakes, dinner cruises, spouse programs, tours, sports and team-building activities, meeting planning services, ground transportation and entertainment ensures a successful event.

Move your mouse over the pictures below to learn more about our talented staff.

LAURIE Z. STROLL, CMP, DMCP President

Laurie has been with Newport Hospitality since 1992 and worked for many years planning events and growing the business.  In 2004 Laurie became the President and Owner of Newport Hospitality.

Laurie has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Newport County Convention and Visitors Bureau since 2005 and presently is the Chair of the Sales and Marketing Committee.  She also served on the Board of Directors of NAMI RI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) from 2005-2008.

In April 2008 she was elected to the Board of Managers for the DMC Network, a worldwide alliance of Destination Management Companies which she originally joined in January of 2006.

In February 2007, Laurie was recognized for Newport Hospitality's achievement of being awarded ADMC status from the ADME Certification and Accreditation Board.  This makes Newport Hospitality the only accredited DMC in Rhode Island and all of New England.  Only 24 DMC's in the country were awarded this accreditation and have become charter ADMC's (Accredited Destination Management Company).

Laurie served on the Board of Directors of the RI Hospitality & Tourism Association (RIHTA) for nine years from 1998-2007.  Laurie also served as the first Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of RIHTA.  In 2003, Laurie initiated the Women in Hospitality and Tourism Council and chaired that group for three years.  In November 2005 Laurie was recognized as "Woman of the Year" by the RI Hospitality and Tourism Association at their Annual Stars of the Industry Awards night.

Also, in 2006 Laurie received her DMCP (Destination Management Certified Professional) certification from the Association of Destination Management Executives in recognition of professional achievment in the destination management industry, commitment to professional conduct and ethics, and superior examination performance.

In 2005, Newport Hospitality received their national certification as a "Women's Business Enterprise" after meeting the strict requirements set forth to be certified by the WBENC.

Laurie served on the Board of Directors of MPI (Meeting Professionals International) New England Chapter 2001-2003 and received the Presidents Award in 2004.

Laurie has taken an active role in the Tourism Industry in Rhode Island and served on the Governor's Tourism Advisory Board in 2003.

Laurie has been a Certified Meeting Professional since 2000 when she earned the CMP designation through the Convention Industry Council.

Laurie is also an active member of ADME (Association of Destination Management Executives), ISES (International Special Events Society), MPI (Meeting Professionals International),The Newport County Chamber of Commerce, the Newport County CVB, the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and the Providence Warwick CVB.

Laurie graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant & Travel Administration. She worked for many years in the hotel business and held various management positions in catering, sales and marketing before joining Newport Hospitality.

 

CHERYL L. TWISS, CASE Director of Sales

Cheryl joined Newport Hospitality in November 2006 after more than 20 years in the hospitality industry in hotel sales, catering and banquet operations. She is responsible for leading and managing the overall sales effort for Newport Hospitality working with clients in the Corporate, Incentive and Association markets. Cheryl has spent the last thirteen years affiliated with the Association market in various hotels in Newport completing the Certified Association Sales Executive (CASE) training in 2004. After years of actively selling Newport for the hotel industry, Cheryl is now applying her passion and enthusiasm for this destination to the event planning and service industry.

Additionally, Cheryl served as the 2006-2007 Chairwoman of Women in Hospitality and Tourism Council, a part of the Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association. Cheryl received the distinguished 1998 Employee of the Year Award from RIHTA. She also serves as the Senior Warden of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Tiverton, RI, volunteering time and effort for the community. Cheryl was most recently the recipient of the Rhode Island Hospitality & Tourism Association's 2007 "Women of the Year" Award.

 

MARSHALL D. STROLL Business Manager

Marshall joined the ladies at Newport Hospitality in 2004 as the Business Manager.  He is the "Rock" of the office and keeps the business running smoothly.

Prior to joining Newport Hospitality, Marshall worked for the International Tennis Hall of Fame for 6 years as their Buyer and Manager of the Tennis and Museum Store.  Previously Marshall had an extensive career in the retail industry.  He brings a broad background and wealth of experience having worked for a variety of companies such as Reebok, Circuit City and Citizens Bank.

CARRIE A. BROWN Program Development Director

After graduating from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, Carrie joined the hospitality industry starting as the Meeting Concierge at the Hyatt Regency Newport.

Joining the Newport Hospitality team in 2002 as the Program Coordinator, Carrie moved into the Program Manager position and then to a Sales Manager position in 2004.  Currently, Carrie works with clients through the sales process, manages the company's customized proposal writing and in some instances manages a program through to completion.  She also plays an integral role in training new employees. Carrie has done it all and does it well!

In 2002 Carrie was awarded the Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association's Employee of the Year and is also a member of Women in Hospitality and Tourism.  Carrie is also co-founder and coordinator of a monthly hospitality-networking event, which began in February 2007 and continues to grow in popularity.

Laura Roebuck Program Manager

Laura joined Newport Hospitality full time in March 2008 as a Program Manager after being a part of the "Meet & Greet" team since 2006.  She is excited to be planning, coordinating and executing the diverse programs that Newport Hospitality manages.

After graduating from URI in 1998 with a degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering, Laura moved to Naples, Florida to pursue her career in engineering.  It took only two years before her love of golf overwhelmed her and she became the office manager of a 36-hole golf course.  In 2004 Laura moved back to Rhode Island to be closer to her "roots".

ERIN A. COONAN  Program Manager

Erin joined the Newport Hospitality team in February of 2007 as a Sales & Program Coordinator.  She spent her first season assisting the Newport Hospitality staff selling, coordinating, and implementing a variety of programs.  Erin was promoted to a Program Manager position in April 2008 and will be working closely with clients coordinating, managing and executing programs throughout the season.  In addition, Erin has been actively involved in ISES RI which is the Rhode Island chapter of the International Special Events Society.

After graduating from Providence College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, Erin spent 2 1/2 years in Massachusetts working as an Applied Behavior Analysis teacher for autistic preschoolers.  In September of 2006 she moved to Newport and began working as an Account Manager and Public Relations contact for a French home furnishings company, overseeing product placement in national publications before joining Newport Hospitality.

Sam Spadavecchia Director of Program Operations

Sam joined the Newport Hospitality team as the Director of Program  Operations in April 2008.  He comes to Newport Hospitality with ten years of extensive experience in Sales, Customer Service and Operations from CMAC - Conference and Meeting Assistance Corporation. CMAC is a company that provides transportation and consulting services to many of the nation's largest conventions and tradeshows annually.

Sam moved to Providence, RI from Rochester, NY in 1990 to attend Johnson & Wales University.  He graduated with an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts, a Bachelor's Degree in Food Service Management and a M.B.A. in Management.  After graduating with his Masters Degree, Sam decided that RI was such a wonderful place to be he made it his home.

Sam is active in RI Hospitality and Tourism Association (RIHTA), a member of the International Special Events Society - RI chapter (ISES), and an active Johnson & Wales University alumni member.