Host an event at Sail Newport

Host an event at Sail Newport

Sail Newport hosts mission-related events at the Sail Newport Marine Education and Recreation Center. We can now safely host your small meeting at our facility. Options are available for interior, open-air meetings and exterior meetings and events.

Weekday rentals are also now available.

We host events that are related to the regattas and programs that integrate with our purpose,  the community, and events for Sail Newport business members.

Sail Newport continues to work closely with RIDEM, the RIDOH, our business and other partners to ensure full alignment with all COVID-19 guidelines in order to protect the health and safety of our community and our staff.

Host an event inquiry

COVID-19 Update (as of 5/21/2021):

  • Interior meetings with a caterer present — no capacity limits
  • Interior meetings without a caterer present — no capacity limits

Per the State of Rhode Island Reopening RI Guidlines mask wearing is no longer required indoors for those who are fully vaccinated.

We can host:

Sailing, marine-related lectures or clinics, classroom education, safety seminars, sailing regattas, clinics and post-regatta socials, J/22 boat charter (corporate team building and rental functions, group rental functions), special events & rendezvous with dockage (yacht cruise rendezvous, manufacturer rendezvous), marine-related community organization events (forums, annual meetings, local fleet meetings and awards functions), non-marine related community organization meetings and events, sustainability organization meetings and events

For consideration: Marine Industry Events, Business Member Meetings, Storage Customer Meetings, Marine Related Commercial Operation

We do not host social events that are not mission-related. Some examples, subject to consideration, of non-mission-related events, include:

  • weddings
  • bachelor or bachelorette parties
  • birthdays
  • bar/bat mitzvahs
  • anniversaries
  • memorials
  • non-marine or non-corporate member functions
  • member or public non-marine or non-mission-related social events
  • fundraising events for individuals, businesses or nonprofit organizations
  • employee or board member non-marine or non-mission-related social events

We are happy to connect inquiries to the other special event locations in Fort Adams State Park.

Facility overview

The Sail Newport center has a spectacular view from the covered decks of our Marine Education and Recreation Center located on the water in Fort Adams State Park. Guests enjoy sweeping views of Newport Harbor, Brenton Cove and downtown Newport from our unique location.

View map of Fort Adams State Park.

The 11th Hour Great Room is a versatile space that can be used for:

  • Business meeting
  • Team Building
  • Annual Meeting
  • A hub for your virtual lecture or meetingThere are many options for room set-up for the 11th Hour Great Room. Our covered deck has 2,000 square feet of usable multi-season space (March – November); unique waterfront views; seven floor-to-ceiling double doors; men’s and women’s restroom facilities on the same floor; access to full kitchen; elevator access; sustainable building design and natural wood features.

The space has:

  • built-in whiteboards
  • fully tech-supported with projector and screen
  • surround sound
  • wireless microphone
  • Sonos music (indoors and on the deck)
Facility Blueprints.

Exterior Event Spaces

  • The covered deck (approx. 2,000 sq ft) provides sweeping views of Newport Harbor and Brenton Cove.
  • Covered deck is equipt with sound, lighting and all weather vinyl siding that can be installed upon request.
  • The east and north lawns are available for al fresco, covid safe dining and for tent install up to 40′ x 90

The 11th Hour Great Room can be modified with a floating wall structure to make several smaller spaces:

    • Two 12′ x 20′
    • One 20′ x 24′
    • One 12′ x 48′
    • An additional 12 x 12′ foot permanent room is connected to the kitchen and upper lobby
Room Setup type Normal Capacity COVID Capacity
11thHour Great Room & Covered Deck Cocktail Style 450 n/a
Covered Deck only Seated Meal 50 50*
Covered Deck only Cocktail Style 250 n/a
11thHour Great Room Cocktail Style 225 n/a
11thHour Great Room Seated Meal 80 50*
11th Hour Great Room Boardroom Style 40 12***
11th Hour Great Room Theater Style 100 32**
11th Hour Great Room Classroom Style 100 18***
12’ x 21’ Classroom (2 available) Boardroom Style 12 4***
12’ x 21’ Classroom (2 available) Theater Style 15 4**
12’ x 21’ Classroom (2 available) Classroom Style 12 4***
21′ x 24′ Classroom (1 available) Boardroom Style 25 8***
21′ x 24′ Classroom (1 available) Theater Style 40 9**
21′ x 24′ Classroom (1 available) Classroom Style 25 16***
1/2 11th Hour Great Room (21′ x 48′) Cocktail Style 100 n/a
1/2 11th Hour Great Room (21′ x 48′) Boardroom Style 30 8***
1/2 11th Hour Great Room (21′ x 48′) Theater Style 50 24**
1/2 11th Hour Great Room (21′ x 48′) Classroom Style 50 12***
Kickamuit Classroom (15′ x 12′) Boardroom Style 10 n/a
Kickamuit Classroom (15′ x 12′) Theater Style 10 n/a
Kickamuit Classroom (15′ x 12′) Classroom 10 n/a

Normal capacity numbers are maximum capacity, they do not include factors such as bars or food service.

*Requires a Class P licensed caterer present
**Theater style seating maximum capacity include 6′ between chair rows and columns
***Boardroom style and classroom style capacity includes 6′ between seats at tables

Capacity sizes are based off of current (as of 10/1/2020) guidelines from RIDOH and information from ReOpeningRI website.  Health and safety will apply for maximum capacity listed including health and travel screenings and face covering requirements.

At this time (10/1/2020) we are not able to host cocktail style events.

Sail Newport hosts non-alcohol events on our leased property from the State of Rhode Island. The policies, procedures, and pricing provided are based on non-alcohol events. While alcohol is allowed at Sail Newport events, these events must be explicitly approved by the State of Rhode Island, Department of Environmental Management and RI State Properties Committee. Additional permits, insurance, and liquor liability are required by individuals or companies requesting a function with alcohol. We will work with you to make certain your event is adequately permitted.

  • The meeting area will be sanitized at least one time per day and between meetings by a professional cleaner.  This will include tables, chairs, commonly touched areas (door handles, light switches, etc.) and restrooms.
  • All participants will be required to provide and wear their own face covering.  Face coverings should be worn at all times unless all parties can easily and continuously maintain a physical distance of six feet from one another.
  • When participants are consuming food or beverage they do not have to wear a face covering during those times.
  • Sanitizing stations will be present within the meeting space.  The hand sanitizer provided by Sail Newport is at least 60% alcohol.
  • All meeting organizers will receive COVID-19 compliance information from a Sail Newport team member to include:
    • Sail Newport Protocols regarding participant and staff travel history
    • quarantine questionnaire
    • health screening questionnaire
    • hygiene reference
    • COVID-19 contact tracing plans
    • facility and parking procedures

Sail Newport works to maximize our sustainability practices and limit our environmental impact. We require all vendors and clients to work with us on these efforts by abiding by the guidelines below.

We understand that COVID-19 safety supersedes any of these conflicting guidelines.  The safety of participants is of the most upmost importance to
Sail Newport.

  1. Preference should be given to locally sourced food, beverage, and catering services.
  2. Caterers are required to supply either reusable food service ware or use compostable or recyclable food service ware (plates, napkins, utensils and cups).
  3. No single-use plastic is to be served at Sail Newport. This includes single-use plastic water bottles.
  4. Bulk containers will be used instead of individual packets (e.g., sugar, sauces, and milk jiggers).
  5. The use of wooden stirrers is required for coffee/tea service. No plastic straws may be used at our facility.
  6. Bars shall not supply cocktail napkins or plastic cocktail straws.
  7. Any waste shall be sorted into recyclable, compostable (if possible) and landfill and taken by catering service whenever possible.
  8. Non-toxic cleaning products shall be used when at all possible.
  9. Please follow the City of Newport Guidelines for recycling and compost found on pages 4-5 here: www.cityofnewport.com/home/showdocument?id=6683.
  10. While planning your event during COVID-19, please keep these sustainability guidelines in mind.  Although single-use products are safer for use we can suggest sustainable options.

There is free and ample parking at Fort Adams State Park. No overnight parking is permitted unless approved by the Department of Environmental Management (DEM). The park manager’s office can be reached at 401.847.2400 where you can inquire as to cost of resident and non-resident temporary overnight parking stickers.

Sail Newport is an ADA-compliant accessible building. The exterior ramps allow access to the lower lobby and Dock Office.

Accessible restrooms are available on the ground floor. Access to these areas is also available from exterior ground level doors.

There is an elevator providing access to the upper floors.

Information is available on access to docks.

For those who wish to explore accessible sailing, another organization, Sail to Prevail, is located adjacent to our Dock Office. Please check their website for their programs and services.

Discounted rates are available during our off season which is November 2020 – April 23, 2021.

Sail Newport’s is in-season from April 26, 2021 – November 2021.

General guidelines
  • With the use of Sail Newport, clients must agree to abide by all rules and regulations of the State of Rhode Island and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM).
  • Sail Newport does not guarantee the security of valuable items left in the event locations. The client is responsible for securing their valuables.
  • The client will ensure that outside vendors have on file a certificate of insurance that is in compliance with the State of Rhode Island two (2) weeks, ten (10) business days in advance of the event. Insurance certificates include: Comprehensive General Liability Insurance, Vehicle Liability Insurance and additional insurance as needed.
  • Rental equipment delivery and pick up, including tent, should be discussed and approved with Sail Newport management as the facilities may be booked before or after your event.
  • Smoking is not permitted in any part of the building including under the deck area. Smokers must move at least 30 feet from the building. cigarette or cigar “butts” must be disposed of in proper trash locations not on the grounds of the facility.
  • If additional municipal staffing is required by DEM, that fee will be accrued by the client.
  • There is parking available to clients and attendees on Fort Adams property, no overnight parking is permitted unless approved by DEM.
  • As with other local event destinations, a City of Newport firefighter may be required for your event. The Newport Fire Department will make the final determination regarding the number of firefighters required. The fee will be accrued by the client.
  • If drone usage is requested, the user must provide the machine’s registration information with the date(s) and times of the request. The request needs to be approved by DEM. The operator agrees to follow all local, state and federal rules and regulations required for drone usage.

Consideration will be given for events cancelled due to changing COVID-19 guidelines.  Postponement, full refund , or payment conversion to a charitable gift are all options.

Item Qty Color
8′ Table (36″) 19 White, Plastic
6′ Table (36″) 20 White, Plastic
8′ Table (18″) 2 Grey, Metal
6′ Table (18″) 2 Grey, Metal
Classroom Chair 100 Light Blue, Plastic
Garden Chair 70 White, Plastic
High Top Table 5 White, Plastic
Coat Rack (25 hangers) 2 Metal

Below is a listing of choice vendors. Clients hosting events at Sail Newport are not required to contract with these vendors, however we regularly work with these vendors and they know our policies, procedures, and facility. We highly recommend their quality and service.

If a client does not wish to work with a preferred vendor they are required to connect the event manager with the vendor at least 30 days in advance for a site visit and review of the policies and procedures.

Catering & bar service

Blackstone Caterers
Shannon Driscoll
sdriscoll@blackstonecaterers.com
(401) 848-2030

Blue Rocks Catering
Annie Guinan
annieguinan@newportcaterer.com
(401) 846-9902

Flat Waves Food Shack
Will Burgess
Catering@flat-waves.com
(401) 847-9283

McGrath Clambakes
Alexis Radkovich
Alexis@riclambake.com
(401) 847-7743

Peaceable Market
Bryce Helie
brycehelie@hotmail.com
(401) 846-0036
(Not a Class P licensed caterer)

Pranzi Catering & Events
Lisa Mattiello
Lisa@pranzi.com

Russell Morin
Dan Larson
daniel@morins.com
(401) 848-0472

The Catered Affair
Elaine Twombly
mailto:etwombly@thecateredaffair.com
(781)763-1380

Rentals & tents

Felicia’s Perfect Setting
XO the Girls
info@xothegirls.com
(508) 679-9650

Newport Tent
Kim Brilhante
kim@newporttent.com
(401) 683-9160

PEAK Event Services
Kymberley Hurd
khurd@peakeventservices.com
(401) 845-9393

Have questions?

Contact Nikki Raccio, Events and Sales Manager

Phone: (401) 846-1983
Email: nikki.raccio@sailnewport.org