Smith is vice chairman of hospitality education board

Evan Smith

The Rhode Island Hospitality Association Education Foundation announced the appointment of Jamestown resident Evan Smith to its Board of Directors, where he will serve as vice chairman.

Smith is president and CEO of the Newport County Convention & Visitors Bureau. In Smith's eighteen years at the Newport CVB, he has served as vice president of marketing for 14 years and president and CEO for the last four years.

During his 30-year career in travel and tourism, Smith has served in sales and marketing capacities for hotels and tour operators. Additionally, Smith is an active member of the Association of Travel Marketing Executives, the Travel Industry Association, and the Society of American Travel Writers. Smith graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a degree in geography. He lives in Jamestown with his wife and two daughters.

The Rhode Island Hospitality Association Education Foundation is a Rhode Island non-profit corporation, formed for the purpose of encouraging persons working in the foodservice or hospitality industries in Rhode Island through scholarships, grants and endowments to those enrolled in a curriculum involving foodservice or hospitality management, and through promoting the education and understanding of the general public about the career opportunities available in the industry.