John Gibbons was the type of salesperson you only hear about in stories like this one. He could sell anything, including cars, as he did during a brief detour in his stellar career in sports tourism. But Gibbons’ clients never felt cheated. Far from it, in fact. Many, including the vast number mourning his unexpected death this week at 63 years old, felt like family upon meeting him.

Behind that thick, authentic New England accent and his occasionally direct communication style, Gibbons was a warm-hearted family man who championed his beloved Rhode Island (Providence in particular) as much as the events hosted there. 

In 17 years at the Providence Warwick CVB and the Rhode Island Sports Commission, of which he was executive director, Gibbons ushered in the recovery from the Great Recession and kept the sports tourism ship steady during the Covid-19 pandemic. Hundreds of sports events, big and small, thrived under his watch. Thousands of athletes—and their friends and families—built memories in the Ocean State thanks to him.

But, like any true sports professional, Gibbons loved drilling into the statistics. Yes, planners’ and attendees’ good experiences were important to him, but not at the expense of the state’s economic benefit. 

While his passion was undeniable, Gibbons’ ego was almost non-existent. He didn’t chase awards or the spotlight and was happy to playfully brag about the events he hosted during regular calls to peers who were also years-long friends. In 2022, though, Gibbons received the Community Hospitality Ambassador of the Year Award from the Rhode Island Hospitality Association—a crowning achievement for years of successfully recruiting NCAA championships, elite dance and gymnastics meets, cool hockey tournaments, and more, to say nothing of the unconventional competitions that drew big numbers.

"John Gibbons used his immense talent, strong work ethic, and boundless passion for sports and for life to build a program that brought millions of dollars into Rhode Island,” said Kristen Adamo, president, and CEO of the PWCVB. “But more importantly, he was a devoted family man and a wonderful friend. Many of us at the PWCVB have worked with him for more than a decade. He meant a lot to us professionally and even more personally. We are heartbroken and extend our deepest sympathies to his family.”

First Impressions

Gibbons seemed destined to leave a mark on events. Unlike others who fell into the industry, Gibbons achieved his bachelor’s degree in tourism and hospitality management from New Haven University. His first big break came as director of tourism for the City of Fall River, Massachusetts. 

That led to the director of sales and marketing position at the Worcester County CVB, where he first met Myrtle Beach Sports Commission Executive Director Jonathan Paris 20 years ago while Paris rose the ranks at the Massachusetts Sports Partnership. The two were among the closest friends in the industry.

“We became friends right off the bat,” says Paris, one of many industry professionals sharing similar interactions with Gibbons.

Remarks Jeff Stumb, director of The Great Race who first met Gibbons a dozen years ago: “I don’t know why we connected like we did from the start—I’m a Southern Good Ol’ Boy and John was a New England Yankee through and through—but enjoyed being around each other and it worked.”

Likewise, Landon House, director of operational excellence, West Division at Varsity Spirit, remembers how inclusive Gibbons was toward him one month out of college while attending a board meeting during an Athletic Championships event in Providence. Gibbons gave the then-newbie a personal introduction, asked questions, and followed up with a call after the competition, asking how he and the convention center team could have done better (spoiler: Gibbons and company were renowned for their customer service).

“For the next several years, Athletic Providence was my absolute favorite event to attend, mostly because of my relationship with John,” says House.

What’s remarkable is the sustained nature of Gibbons’ industry relationships. There were transactional elements but remained personal.

“John possessed a rare ability to make everyone he encountered feel like family,” says Scott Cole, director of events at USA Gymnastics.

Carey Harveycutter, director of tourism for the City of Salem, Virginia, talked every other week with Gibbons. They chatted about business—what events each hosted—and family. It was not just talk, either. Harveycutter and his wife attended WaterFire in Providence last summer and had wine and crudité with the Gibbonses. “It was a wonderful evening,” says Harverycutter, who hoped to return the hosting favors this winter during the 50th annual Stagg Bowl in Salem. 

‘Win-Win’

The adage is sports tourism is a relationship business. It’s no wonder Gibbons thrived in the arena. His ability to create connections built bridges to major events making Rhode Island their home.

In 2006, Gibbons found his calling at the Providence Warwick CVB—adding Rhode Island Sports Commission executive director to his resume in 2010. He turned what could be considered challenges, such as the state’s diminutive size and chilly winters, into strengths by emphasizing the hospitality community’s personal approach and warm welcomes.

“John Gibbons was a wonderful man whose passion for combining sports and the State of Rhode Island was unmatched,” says Daniel P. McConaghy, executive director of the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority a regular partner for basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, skating, and other events. “John always focused on ‘win-win’ scenarios, where both the community and the athletic sponsor would benefit from the engagement. His skill, acumen, experience, and knowledge separated him from his peers as evidenced by the growth of the athletic market in the State over the years.”

NCAA men’s Basketball, ice hockey, Division III wrestling, and lacrosse tournaments are already on the books for 2024 and 2025, evidence of Gibbons’ long-lasting efforts. But for all the large-scale events that brought attention to Rhode Island, Gibbons never ceased his infatuation for discovering unlikely sources for filling room nights.

Gibbons championed competitive bridge as a big winner, as well as The Great Race, which features antique cars and returns to Providence next year, according to Stumb. “As soon as he found out about our event, he was its greatest cheerleader,” he says. 

“The best way I could show him how much I thought of him was to announce we were bringing the Great Race back to Rhode Island in 2024. We just signed hotel contracts a few weeks ago, and now, I am even more thankful we are returning to his beloved city of Providence and the state of Rhode Island.”

Paris, whom Gibbons pitched about hosting the Great Race in Myrtle Beach, says Gibbons loved building partnerships. “He was an old-school sales guy,” says Paris. “He loved putting deals together. He loved wheeling and dealing.”

Unforgettable

The outpouring of reaction to news of Gibbons’ passing is as much a tribute to Gibbons the person as the salesperson.

His long career and distinct personality made Gibbons an unforgettable presence in any meeting or event. He would not hold back opinions, but always remained respectful and never held a grudge. 

“He, in my opinion, liked to stir the pot and then sit back and watch,” says Jesse Newsom, director of operations at The Sports Facilities Company who befriended Gibbons more than a decade ago while still on the CVB side of the industry.

As a result, Gibbons became an important voice by serving on committees at Sports ETA and Connect, where he was a member of the Connect Sports Executive Advisory Board this year. 

Patrick Higgins, senior vice president, says Gibbons’ blend of business and kindness made him an excellent ambassador for sports tourism.

“John was a brilliant and visionary leader who achieved the highest levels of industry recognition for his work in sports tourism. He was passionate about sports tourism in New England, paving career paths for those that were new to our industry and he was especially passionate about his family. I never had a conversation with John when we weren’t talking about our families and baseball. We will long remember John’s leadership, friendship, and ability to make friends wherever he went. His absence will be felt for a long time to come,” says Higgins.

That sense of loss is industry-wide.

“It hurts to lose someone that has been a constant for 12-13 years; I can’t describe it,” says Newsom. “The tradeshows conferences will be different now.

Adds House: “He has left a void in many industry colleagues that will never be entirely filled.”