Laurie Z. Stroll, CMP, DMCP | President & Owner
As President and Owner of Newport Hospitality, Laurie has been a prevailing presence and significant hospitality industry leader both locally and nationally. Laurie spent 12 years planning events for Newport Hospitality before purchasing the business in 2004 and has since led the company to be the first and only accredited DMC (Destination Management Company) in Rhode Island by the Association of Destination Management Executives International. Newport Hospitality is also a 100% women-owned business certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
After graduating from the Hospitality & Tourism Management program at University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1983, Laurie spent her early career in various hotel management positions including catering, sales, and marketing before joining Newport Hospitality, Inc. in 1992. Her commitment to the advancement of the hospitality industry led her to serve on various distinguished boards over the years including the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce Board (2016-present), the Board of Directors for Discover Newport, the Newport & Bristol County Convention and Visitors Bureau (2005 -2015), the Board of Managers for the DMC Network (2008-2014), and the Board of Directors of MPI, Meeting Professionals International (2001-2003). She also served on the RIHA, RI Hospitality Association Board of Directors (1998-2007) where she became the first woman Chair of the Board in 2004 and initiated the Women in Hospitality Council for the mentoring of women in the Rhode Island hospitality community.
In addition to these organizations, Laurie is a long-standing member of ILEA (International Live Events Association), the Newport County Chamber of Commerce, the Providence Warwick CVB and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. She is an enthusiastic member of the WPO (Women Presidents’ Organization) Providence Chapter since its inception in 2009, and is part of the Business Advisory Council for Salve University’s Department of Business Studies and Economics.
In concert with her far-reaching professional representation in the field, Laurie was awarded the 2014 Stephen Elmont Distinguished Alumni Award from UMass Isenberg School of Management, Hospitality & Tourism Management (HTM); she is now the Chair of the HTM Advisory Board at the University.
Laurie’s passion for professional excellence led her and the Newport Hospitality team to be selected as the exclusive North American DMC for the Around-the-World Volvo Ocean Race during its Newport stopover in both May 2015 and 2018. After both Stopovers, Newport Hospitality was recognized for their work on the Volvo Ocean Race, including awards from the International Gala Award from Special Events Magazine, ADMEI Achievement and Excellence Awards, ILEA Esprit Awards, Rhode Island Hospitality Association Stars of the Industry Awards, CaterSource and Event Solutions Spotlight Awards, and more!
In 2016, Laurie was honored to be elected by Governor Gina Ramando to the RI Commodores, an honorary esteemed invitation in the state of Rhode Island. As part of the non-profit association of ambassadors, Laurie supports their dedicated mission to the progression of economic growth through hospitality and education.
Most recently in 2019, Laurie was named one of BizBash's Top 1000 people in the Events Industry!
Laurie’s love for travel has taken her to many colorful destinations over the years, however she devotes the majority of her time both personally and professionally to continually growing her businesses and supporting her team to execute successful and memorable programs.
