Jonathan Walker Promoted to Executive Director of Rhode Island Sports Commission

The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau has announced the promotion of Jonathan Walker to executive director of the Rhode Island Sports Commission.

In his expanded role, Walker will oversee the sales, marketing and service efforts related to sports groups using Rhode Island as a base for competitions and sports-related meetings. He will continue to collaborate with clients nationwide to bring sporting events to Rhode Island.

“I take great pride in representing the Ocean State nationally as a premier place to play,” said Walker. “I’m honored to continue building on Rhode Island’s reputation as a small but mighty state — affordable, attractive and welcoming for year-round sporting events and meetings.”

Walker, who has been with the destination since 2019, previously served as senior director of sports sales, a position in which he helped promote Rhode Island as a destination for sporting events. Walker and the RISC booked 65 events in fiscal year 2025, which generated nearly 60,000 hotel room nights with an estimated direct spend of over $40 million.

Since 2019, Walker has booked over 150 sporting events using facilities throughout Rhode Island, resulting in more than 160,000 hotel room bookings and attracting nearly half a million attendees, which has led to over $115 million in direct spending. The events are estimated to have supported close to 51,000 jobs.

“Jonathan has been a tremendous asset to both our team and the state,” said Kristen Adamo, president and chief executive officer of the PWCVB. “He’s a natural leader who has enhanced Rhode Island’s sports tourism profile, built strong industry relationships, and delivered real economic impact. No one is more deserving of this role.”

Walker began his career in 2014 with the Rhode Island-based PSE Agency, where he worked with the Pawtucket Red Sox, and later joined the PWCVB.