Weston’s Dusty Rhodes captains Sail Boston

Sails from around the world caught the wind of Boston Harbor last Friday. The ships that hoisted them, which span several centuries of maritime history, made Boston their home this week to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding.

The week-long event was part of Sail250, a maritime event that came to five ports in the country. Weston resident Dusty Rhodes led the local event as the executive director of Sail Boston.

“We have a fabulous harbor and we have a great maritime tradition,” Rhodes said. “Boston has an international reputation for being a good harbor to visit and it will be an economic catalyst.”

Tall ships — large ships with traditionally rigged sails — came from across the globe to participate. Some were local, including the oldest participant, the USS Constitution, built in 1797. The ship coming from the farthest port was the INS Sudarshini, which is based out of Kochi, India. A 56-ship-flotilla paraded through Boston Harbor on Saturday, sailors waving from the masts and the decks. Throughout the week, crews invited guests aboard and sailed between local ferries and onlookers.

This is Rhodes’ fifth time bringing tall ships to Boston. She is a force in event planning on land as well, serving as president of Conventures, an event planning company that Rhodes founded in 1977 in a Newbury Street office.

“We began carving the path of event management, and 49 years later we are still doing it,” Rhodes said. “It is a very satisfying career because it is very challenging and every event is different.”

She said the key to event planning is building mutual respect at every level. Not much can be done if municipal departments like police and public works aren’t on board. Rhodes also has to balance big ideas with the need to come in at budget.

“It’s a lot of tact and, ‘yes, sir we see your point,’” she said. “You can’t do it with a stick in your hand, you’ve got to do it with an olive branch.”

Rhodes brings her passion to Weston as well. She helped organize the town’s 300th anniversary in 2013 and works on Celebrate Weston every year to let residents know about what is available to them.

“One of the reasons we do Celebrate Weston is because so many people don’t realize how many nifty resources and businesses that are available,” she said. “It helps with civic engagement of the people.”

Rhodes’ approach is the same for smaller-scale events. Events still live by municipal help and cleanliness — Rhodes stressed the importance of meeting janitors and treating those that clean an event space well. Participants need clear instructions on where to park and deposit their trash.

“Whether you’re dealing with a foreign country or an exhibitor in the center of town, it’s personal service,” Rhodes said. “You’ve got to be able to answer their questions and help them.”