Chambers to Host Tours for Major Party Candidates

NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

June 8, 2010 

Contact: Jeff Morton
Director of Communications
Vermont Chamber of Commerce
(802) 229-2273
jmorton@vtchamber.com  

 

Chambers to Host Tours for Major Party Gubernatorial Candidates
Three-Day Tours to be Held in Conjunction with Local and Regional Chambers Across the State  

 

The Vermont Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with a dozen local and regional chambers of commerce from across the state will host the major party candidates for governor during two separate chamber tours.

 

Organized by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the first chamber tour will take place June 14, 15, and 17 when local and regional chamber leaders and business representatives will meet with Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Dubie to provide input on important business issues like tax policy, economic development, and tourism funding. This same tour will be held again in September for the Democratic candidate chosen in the August primary election.  
 

“This tour provides an important opportunity for chambers of commerce and business leaders across the state to not only hear the candidates’ perspectives on business issues, but also to add to their agendas regarding job retention and growth,” said Betsy Bishop, President of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. “By providing this opportunity for both major party candidates, our goal is to give voters in the business community an opportunity to become better informed about the candidates’ policies that will directly impact their businesses.”

During the three-day tour, chamber leaders from across Vermont will take the candidates on walking tours of their downtown businesses, attend mixers, and host roundtable discussions for chamber members to meet the candidates.

“These tours are a great way for chamber members to learn about the candidates,” said Robert Dempsey, Executive Director of the Vermont Democratic Party. “They are also helpful for the candidates to better understand the work that local chambers of commerce are doing in their communities across Vermont.”

Participating chambers include: Rutland Region Chamber, Okemo Valley Chamber, Manchester & the Mountains Regional Chamber, Mt. Snow Valley Regional Chamber, Brattleboro Area Chamber, Franklin County Regional Chamber, Lake Champlain Islands Chamber, Lamoille Region Chamber, Stowe Area Association, Northeast Kingdom Chamber, Central Vermont Chamber, and Bennington Area Chamber.

 

“Thanks to the participation of our local and regional chambers, the business community will have a unified voice from all corners of Vermont, sharing a business perspective that will resonate with the candidates as we head into the political season,” said Bishop. “Our state is comprised of entrepreneurs and business owners of all sectors and sizes who want a governor that will stand up for businesses. By partnering with chambers of commerce around Vermont, our message will be loud and clear that businesses are a vital part of the state’s economy.  The key issues for the Vermont Chamber of Commerce in this election will be on taxes, tourism funding, and job creation.”  

“Vermont’s gubernatorial candidates will become more familiar with the needs and concerns of voters in the business community during these chamber tours,” said Erik Mason, Executive Director of the Vermont Republican Party. “Chamber members across the state will also have a unique opportunity to engage the candidates on business issues and become more informed about the candidates before going to the polls in November."

   

The Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the largest statewide, private, not-for-profit business organization represents nearly every sector of the state's corporate/hospitality community. Our mission is to create an economic climate conducive to business growth and the preservation of the Vermont quality of life.

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