It's The Economy, Guv'nor! – Lila Delman Hosts Brits for Cooperative Marketing Summit

Keith Stokes. Nick Churton, Annette Reeve, hostess Melanie Delman &

Katharine Flynn at the LIla Delman "summit"

"The British Are Coming" is, in the 21st century, the ultimate wish and goal of economic development principals in Rhode Island. Going global and creating partnership opportunities is nothing new for Rhode Island's premier luxury agency Lila Delman Real Estate, whose website alone gets 100,000 international visits a month. When principals Melanie Delman and John Hodnett affiliated with London's Mayfair international Realty, the reach of Rhode Island was extended – back to our mother country.

Enter Mayfair principals Nick Churton and Annette Reeve (oh, those accents!) for a whirlwind tour of Newport, its luxury properties, and its attractions, culminating in a serious and spirited roundtable discussion on fostering concurrent real estate, tourism, and economic development . For the "summit", held in the historic Newport office, principals of Lila Delman, Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Council, Keith Stokes, Katharine Flynn, Director of Business Development for the RIEDC, and Newport Councilwoman and Lila Delman agent Kate Leonard, brainstormed new ways of presenting the state's amenities and attractions to Europeans.

The exterior of Kennel Cottage at the Gray Craig Estate

Mr. Stokes and the group discussed the historical commonalities between New England -- Newport specifically -- and England, and how to be sure that Newport and Rhode Island are making the British traveler aware of all the area has to offer. He discussed the state's focus on drawing quality visitors-those attracted by history and educational offerings as well as sailing - who ultimately stay for longer visits and have the potential to invest in real estate in the area.

Nick Churton stated: "People will travel around the world to do certain kinds of tours, such as flower shows and garden tours," and Ms. Reeve concurred. Mr. Stokes suggested tours to Newport's oldest church, Trinity, the oldest synagogue in the country Touro Synagogue, the country's oldest common cemetery, the famed gardens at many of Newport’s mansions, and its historical celebrations.

Kate Leonard, Keith Stokes, Nick Churton and Annette

Reeve in a lively discussion

The visitors from abroad toured local vineyards throughout the state, as well as Newport's famed superior sailing facilities. Mr. Stokes likened winning a great sailing race in Newport, original home of the America's Cup, to winning an Olympics in Athens, their birthplace.

The thinking idea to emerge was creating an "app" for Rhode Island tourism, which could be cross-marketed through tourism outlets, and through Lila Delman Real Estate’s London office. It was also agreed by participants that social networking would be the marketing tool of the future. Melanie Delman stated, “we are honored to have been a part of this discussion and are looking forward to working with the RIEDC to help promote Rhode Island to our international audience.” Also contributing were John Hodnett, Geer Messinger, Robin Nicholson, Jeni Pardo de Zela, and Catherine Gazder.

The meeting adjourned to coffee and pastries, with the English visitors discussing their tours of several fine Newport homes including Plaisance ( a gorgeous house that Mr. Churlock called "haunting"), Starboard House, a distinguished stone villa ("impressive" said Ms. Reeve), Kennel Cottage on the Gray Craig Estate, which enraptured the visitors, as it is done up exactly as an authentic Cotswold Cottage, and Sandcastle, an Ocean Drive with stunning views that the pair averred was a contemporary that the architect got "exactly right."