Partnerships and Strategic Alliances
Divisions of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce:
Vermont Hospitality Council (VHC) - www.VisitVT.com
The mission of the Vermont Hospitality Council is to serve and to work in partnership with its diversity of members marketing travel to and within Vermont and advocating for hospitality-related legislative priorities. The Vermont Hospitality Council's ultimate goal is to provide a memorable visitor experience, thereby stimulating the health of the tourism industry, to support jobs, and increase statewide tourism business profitability, resulting in the expansion of the overall Vermont economy.
Managed Associations:
Vermont Attractions Association (VAA) - www.vtattractions.org
· Highlighting 70 of Vermont's finest attractions in Vermont
· Develop and promote high standards for tourism
· Provide tourists with well-established destinations
Vermont Aerospace and Aviation Association (VAAA) - http://www.vtaaa.com/
·Provides leadership and direction for the nearly 200 companies that produce aviation components.
· Member of the Aerospace States Association.
· Supports the economic development and workforce development for members.
· Promotes scientific and educational opportunities to school aged children.
· Promotes a state-based perspective in federal aerospace policy development and supports state aerospace initiatives.
State Partners:
State of Vermont - http://www.vermont.gov/portal/ and http://www.vermontvacation.com/
· Partner with State of Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing to create, publish & distribute Vermont Vacation Guide (200K) and Vermont Winter Vacation Guide (100K) which co-promote www.VermontVacation.com, www.vtchamber.com, and www.VisitVT.com.
· Provide staff support to coordinate annual VAA production of the Official Vermont Road Map & Guide to Vermont Attractions (1.2 million copies).
Green Hotels in the Green Mountains - http://www.vtgreenhotels.org/
· Encourage lodging to follow green procedures.
· Unique marketing that will attract environmentally-minded guests.
· Work with Agency of Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Conservation.
· Increase visibility and recognition through promotions and education.
· Build broad-based Green Hospitality Program.
Vermont Grape and Wine Council - www.vermontgrapeandwinecouncil.com
· Represent Vermont grape & wine producers and hospitality industry purveyors of grape & wine products.
· Foster growth of and provide support to this emerging agricultural industry.
· Lead by VT Agency of Agriculture, includes growers, purveyors, regulators, State of VT Dept. of Economic Development, agriculture, marketing entities and the VT Chamber of Commerce.
· Supports nearly 3 dozen Vermont wineries, cideries, breweries and the several hundred hospitality businesses and other outlets offering their products.
National Partners:
American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA) - www.ahla.com
· National partner for the Vermont hotel & lodging industry.
· Represents all sectors of the lodging industry.
· National advocacy on Capitol Hill.
· Provides PR, education, research, and information to provide bottom line savings and ensure a positive business climate.
· Partners with state associations to ensure local representation.
National Restaurant Association (NRA) - www.restaurant.org
· National partner for the Vermont restaurant industry.
· Represents 12.8 million member association in a 537 billion dollar industry.
· National advocacy on Capitol Hill for restaurant industry, foodservice and safety sectors.
· Provides materials, information, and coordination for ServSafe, ProStart and other restaurant, foodservice and food safety education and training programs.
· Provides national competitions, scholarships and other opportunities for students interested in restaurant and culinary professions.
· Partners with state associations to ensure local representation.
Strategic Alliances:
Vermont Environmental Consortium - www.vecgreenvalley.org
The Vermont Environmental Consortium (VEC) is the go-to organization for the environmental business sector in Vermont. VEC's mission is to promote growth and job creation in Vermont's environmental business sector. VEC carries out its mission by:
·Advocating for and promoting Vermont's environmental business sector.
·Forging links among business, government, non-profits and higher education to promote research, education, training, and job creation.
·Networking our members with each other, potential clients, resources, and support services through conferences, workshops, referrals, and other venues.
·Planning and initiating projects in partnership with and for the benefit of our members.
Vermont Venture Network - www.merritt-merritt.com/vvn.html
A forum created to enhance the interaction and exchange of ideas among Vermont's entrepreneurs, the Vermont Venture Network has been at the heart of the entrepreneurial community for the past 18 years.
