Providence, Rhode Island, has been awarded the 2018 USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show. The educational forum and trade show will be staged at the Rhode Island Convention Center, August 9–11, marking the first time the event has been held in Providence and the first time in the Northeast since 2013.
“USA Gymnastics is excited about bringing the National Congress back to the Northeast,” said Ron Galimore, chief operating officer for USA Gymnastics. “Providence has been a wonderful host for several events, and the Rhode Island Convention Center provides National Congress attendees with an outstanding facility for their educational sessions and a compact downtown with restaurants, shops and shopping mall for entertainment.”
“We are looking forward to welcoming USA Gymnastics back to Providence,” said John Gibbons, executive director of the Rhode Island Sports Commission. “The National Congress and Trade Show is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our city and our state to world-class educators and sports professionals.”
The annual USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show attracts nearly 3,000 attendees and is typically held in conjunction with the national governing body’s P&G Gymnastics Championships, although Galimore said the nationals will be held in a different city in 2018, with an announcement expected in the fall.
“We are honored to host the 2018 USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show at the Rhode Island Convention Center,” said Lawrence Lepore, general manager of the Rhode Island Convention Center. “We look forward to providing a wonderful experience to all of the attendees during their stay here in Providence.”