Media Contact:
Sally Cooper
scooper@vtchamber.com
 
Berlin, VT (October 1, 2019) – The Vermont Chamber of Commerce announces the addition of three new members of its board of directors, as well as the election of officers and board members for the next year.  Joining the board of directors are Andrea Gagner, Kim Donahue and Sharon Rossi. “All three of our newest board members represent the spirit of the Vermont business community and bring savvy, know-how and energy to the table. We are very grateful to add their expertise to our team as we continue to provide networking, advocacy, marketing and education to our members,” said Betsy Bishop, President of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
 
Andrea Gagner is the CEO of 14th Star Brewing Company in St. Albans.  During her time at 14th Star, the company has grown from three employees to 24 and has gained a reputation for being a community-conscious organization that regularly gives back to the veteran, brewing and local communities. A lifelong resident of Vermont, she holds an MBA with a concentration in Human Resource Management and sits on the boards of three charities.
 
An ardent champion of the brands she loves, Kim Donahue navigated several industries before choosing to live in Waitsfield and become the owner of the Inn at Round Barn Farm. Her most fulfilling experience came as the Vice President of Marketing and Sales Operations for the Viking Range Corporation, where her team successfully acted as the liaison to the Food Network. Growing up surrounded by farms and orchards, she developed a love of cheese which compelled her involvement with the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival Committee, driving to expand the footprint of this popular festival to develop the brand.

Sharon Rossi is the CEO of FoodScience Corporation, a privately held manufacturer of nutritional supplements based in Williston.  Prior to joining FoodScience, Sharon was the Chief Customer Officer at Coty Consumer Beauty US based in New York City, the General Manger leading the Philips North America Consumer Lifestyle Division, and an executive with Unilever.  Sharon holds a MA from the Univ. of Illinois and a BA from the Univ. of Massachusetts. 
Click here to see the full board.
 
About the Vermont Chamber
The largest statewide, private, not-for-profit business organization, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce represents nearly every industry sector with a mission to create an economic climate conducive to business growth and the preservation of the Vermont quality of life.

Media Contact:
Chris Carrigan
ccarrigan@vtchamber.com
Direct: 802-223-0904
 
Berlin, VT (September 26, 2019) – Today at the Vermont Chamber’s 2019 Manufacturing Summit, the Vermont-Quebec Aerospace Trade Corridor was officially extended to Connecticut with a signing ceremony of an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, Aéro Montréal and Aerospace Components Manufacturers (ACM). Over the past six years, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce has established and prioritized the Vermont-Quebec Aerospace Trade Corridor, building cross-border trade partnerships to increase economic activity for Vermont manufacturers.
 
Governor Phil Scott introduced the partners and said, “I’m pleased to officially extend our Aerospace Trade Corridor and strengthen the bond between these three regional partners with the signing of this MOU. This is great news, and a positive step forward, as we work to grow our state and region’s aerospace sector.”
 
“Today’s official extension of the Vermont-Québec Aerospace Trade Corridor to Connecticut is the result of two years of foundational work,” said Chris Carrigan, Vice President of Business Development, Vermont Chamber of Commerce, “and was made possible through inter-clustering and supply chain integration, which is optimizing global supply chains by providing our companies and northern neighbors with access to new markets, contacts, innovations, business opportunities and contracts in the aerospace industry.”
 
The Vermont Chamber hosted delegations from Aéro Montréal, the Québec Government, Connecticut aerospace, as well as 25 Canadian companies in support of its work to build a U.S.-Canadian Aerospace Corridor, linking Vermont’s $2 billion aerospace and aviation cluster with a $28 billion Canadian aerospace industry for cross-border contacts and contracts. This is part of the vision of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Aéro Montréal, signed in 2013 and now enhanced by extending the corridor to Connecticut in a signing at the event.
 
In its sixth year, the Manufacturing Summit attracted attendees from the Northeast region and as far away as California, Virginia and Minnesota. Attendees networked with industry peers, met buyers and suppliers, connected with employers, attended industry workshops, saw new product innovations and experienced dynamic exhibits such as the Advanced Manufacturing Lab by Vermont Technical College.  
 
For more information visit www.ManufacturedInVT.com.
 
About the Vermont Chamber
The largest statewide, private, not-for-profit business organization, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce represents nearly every industry sector with a mission to create an economic climate conducive to business growth and the preservation of the Vermont quality of life.

By Amy Spear, Vice President of Tourism for the Vermont Chamber of Commerce
 
From mid-September to mid-October, Vermont’s Green Mountains transform into a vibrant landscape of gold, red, yellow and orange. It’s the ultimate fall foliage destination with over one million visitors traveling to Vermont in the month of October alone to capture memories while enjoying Vermont specialty products and attractions with mountain vistas, picturesque lakes, classic New England villages and countryside ablaze with color. While Vermont tourism is thriving and our brand is strong, visitor impacts go beyond lifetime memories and Instagrammable moments; last year, visitors contributed $391 million to the state’s coffers in tax revenue (Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development).
 
With hundreds of tourism businesses included in our statewide membership, the Vermont Chamber works to fully fund the marketing effort that promotes Vermont as a tourist destination. The Vermont economy depends on a healthy tourism industry, and the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM) is the steward of the Vermont brand that drives that industry. Their work ensures that we maintain our share of visitors to Vermont during all four seasons in an ever-increasing global market. For this work to continue, Vermont needs to increase the promotional funding appropriated to VDTM.
 
Vermont is within a day’s drive of 80 million people. VDTM and the Vermont Chamber have formed a strong public/private partnership to support the tourism industry; VDTM lures the visitor to Vermont and the Vermont Chamber connects Vermont businesses to visitors with digital and print resources.  The cornerstones of the collaborative marketing efforts include content on VermontVacation.com (1.7 million visitors) and the Official Vermont Vacation Guides (300,000 distributed that are distributed throughout New England and the U.S., Canada, and Europe).
 
As a significant economic driver for the State, the tourism industry is the heartbeat of the Vermont brand. Together, the two statewide entities market Vermont’s most relevant, compelling, and differentiated experiences. Promotional funding connects visitors to local, family businesses: the small inns and classic bed & breakfasts, outdoor recreation, world-class beer, Vermont specialty products, country stores and iconic main streets.  With proper support of the tourism industry via increased promotional funds from the State, we will continue to grow this market to benefit all Vermonters.
 
While funding for VDTM has remained flat for almost 10 years, other New England states have bolstered their tourism marketing efforts with additional funds. The tourism industry remains essential to Vermont’s economic success and level funding will not protect and grow Vermont’s share of visitors. Without increased investment in destination marketing, we put the annual $2.8 billion in total tourism economic activity (Vermont Tourism 2017 Benchmark Report) and the over 30,000 jobs supported by the tourism industry at risk. In addition to direct spending, the tourism sector has residual positive impacts on other business sectors such as real estate, professional services, healthcare, education and manufacturing.
 
In order to maintain and increase our market share, we cannot lose sight of staying economically competitive. The destination marketing VDTM deploys is critical to drawing visitors to Vermont to spend money with our hoteliers, cultural institutions, craft beverage producers, chefs and retail outlets, which is critical to support a healthy state economy. It is time to work together as Vermonters to increase spending on destination marketing efforts through VDTM as an investment in a Vermont economy.
 
​Amy Spear is the Vice President of Tourism for the Vermont Chamber of Commerce which partners with the State in digital and print marketing to encourage more visits to Vermont. Amy Spear lives in Killington. 

Media Contact:
​Chris Carrigan
ccarrigan@vtchamber.com
Direct: 802-223-0904
Cell: 802-488-4099 (use day of show)

Berlin, VT (September 4, 2019) – The Vermont Chamber’s 2019 Manufacturing Summit on Thursday, September 26th will deliver numerous trade opportunities for businesses in New England and Canada, enhancing and helping to grow the number of manufacturing jobs in Vermont to 9.46% of the workforce.
 
The Manufacturing Summit is bringing buyers, suppliers and partners together for business opportunities at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction. Airbus, Bell Flight, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce and Sikorsky top the list of out-of-state companies representing the aerospace industry at the Manufacturing Summit. With over 600 pre-scheduled meetings, these companies will have the opportunity to engage and add Vermont and New England manufacturers to their supply chains, contributing to the economic growth of the state and region.
 
“Vermont is the supply chain hub for these companies to engage pre-qualified suppliers and partners, and optimize their supply chains for competitive advantage,” explains Chris Carrigan, Vice President of Business Development for the Vermont Chamber. “Vermont stands out as a leader in the industry because of the Manufacturing Summit’s ability to draw in 25 Canadian companies and 20 buyers from large, out-of-state manufactures.”
 
The Vermont Chamber will host delegations from Aéro Montréal, the Québec Government, Connecticut aerospace, as well as 25 Canadian companies in support of its work to build a U.S.-Canadian Aerospace Corridor, linking Vermont’s $2 billion aerospace and aviation cluster with a $28 billion Canadian aerospace industry for cross-border contacts and contracts. This is part of the vision of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Aéro Montréal signed in 2013 and to be enhanced by extending the corridor to Connecticut in a signing at the event.
 
In its sixth year, the Manufacturing Summit attracts attendees from the Northeast region and as far away as California, Virginia and Minnesota. Attendees network with industry peers, meet buyers and suppliers, connect with employers, attend industry workshops, see new product innovations and experience dynamic exhibits, such as an Advanced Manufacturing Lab by Vermont Technical College.  
 
For more information visit www.ManufacturedInVT.com.
 
About the Vermont Chamber
The largest statewide, private, not-for-profit business organization, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce represents nearly every industry sector with a mission to create an economic climate conducive to business growth and the preservation of the Vermont quality of life.

Media Contact:
Sally Cooper, Vermont Chamber of Commerce
scooper@vtchamber.com
 
Berlin, VT (August 19, 2019) — The Vermont Chamber of Commerce has selected Al Gobeille, health care leader and founder of Gobeille Hospitality, as the 2019 Citizen of the Year. Al Gobeille will be celebrated at an awards dinner on Tuesday, November 19 at the Hilton Burlington Hotel.
 
Al Gobeille was selected for this award for his extensive community leadership and continued devotion to the betterment of Vermont through his work in both the public and private sectors. Al has been the Chair of the Green Mountain Care Board leading the effort to create positive change in health care across the state. That work continued in his role as Secretary of Human Services where he was responsible for an agency with over 3,000 employees and a $2.6 billion budget. He also has operated many thriving businesses in the Burlington area and is known for using his skills and knowledge in the food and beverage industry to create greater understanding for solutions to complex health care issues.  He has also served as Chair of the Board of the Burlington Business Association and the Champlain Valley Exposition Board and has also served on the Shelburne Selectboard and the Visiting Nurse Association Board.
 
“Al has a deep understanding of the importance of a vibrant economy to a stable community and he loves Vermont,” said Kelly Devine, Executive Director of the Burlington Business Association. “Al started out as a Norwich cadet and has since been an entrepreneur, a businessman and a public servant.”
 
“Al is a leader who knows how to take on key challenges facing our community and the future of Vermont,” said Betsy Bishop, President of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. “We are honored to present this award to Al Gobeille. We need more business people like Al to lend their business acumen to state government by engaging in public service. Al is a model of how this can be done effectively.”
 
Recent recipients of the Citizen of the Year award include Leo and Dan O’Brien, RADM Richard W. Schneider, USCGR (Ret.), Bill Stritzler, Janette Bombardier, Stephen C. Terry, U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, and Antonio Pomerleau.
 
Registration to attend the Vermont Chamber’s annual Awards Dinner on Tuesday, November 19 is now open.  For more information visit the event page.
 
About Al Gobeille
Al Gobeille graduated from Norwich University and served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army. Following his military service, he and his wife Kim Gobeille started the successful Gobeille Hospitality Group which runs the popular Shanty on the Shore and Burlington Bay Market as well as a thriving catering business. In 2013, Governor Shumlin appointed Al to be the Chair of the Green Mountain Care Board and in 2016, Governor Scott appointed him to serve as the Secretary of Human Services. He continued in that role until June 2019 and has recently been named the Executive Vice President of Operations for the UVM Health Network.
 
About the Vermont Chamber
The largest statewide, private, not-for-profit business organization, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce represents nearly every industry sector with a mission to create an economic climate conducive to business growth and the preservation of the Vermont quality of life.

Media Contact:
Sally Cooper, Vermont Chamber of Commerce
scooper@VTChamber.com, 802-262-2140

Berlin, VT (August 7, 2019) — The Vermont Chamber of Commerce announced the nine recipients for the Above and Beyond Awards, an award category designed to showcase the inspiring workforce shaping Vermont today.

The Above and Beyond Awards will be given to individuals who have taken that extra step in their job, industry, or community work, thus contributing to a more vibrant state for Vermonters to live, work and play. Special recognition for their outstanding qualities and achievements will be showcased during the annual Vermont Chamber Citizen of the Year & Above and Beyond Awards Dinner on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at the Hilton Burlington Hotel.

2019 Above and Beyond Award Recipients:

• Steve Bryant, Dorset Inn
• Steve Costello, Green Mountain Power
• Mark Delaney, Smugglers’ Notch Resort
• Leslie Griffiths, GlobalFoundries
• Julie Holcomb, Vermont Employment Agency
• Sherre Ross, Liquid Measurement Systems, Inc.
• David Wulfson, Vermont Rail System
• Maureen Hebert, Vermont Technical College
• Sheena Daniell, Rutland Regional Medical Center
• Amanda Benway, AeroParts Plus Inc.

Registration to attend the Vermont Chamber’s Citizen of the Year & Above and Beyond Awards Dinner on Tuesday, November 19 will open the end of this month. For more information visit the event page.

About the Vermont Chamber
The largest statewide, private, not-for-profit business organization, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce represents nearly every industry sector with a mission to create an economic climate conducive to business growth and the preservation of the Vermont quality of life.

Prevailing post-adjournment reports have sidelined the praise both the Legislature and the Administration deserve for their contributions to Vermont’s economy. While it is tempting to continue debating the 2019 political turmoil, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce instead chooses to celebrate some of the many areas where legislators actively responded to the needs of the business community.

With a Democratic supermajority controlling the House and Senate, and a Republican occupying the State’s highest office, pre-session legislative forecasts predicted disfunction and conflict. Fortunately, Vermont continues to distinguish itself as a place of civility and reason.
This was made evident by the cordial and productive relationship witnessed in the 2019 legislative session between the Legislature and the Governor. Ultimately, what was lost in catchy headlines was gained in the passage of some overwhelmingly beneficial economic policies.

But this cohesion was no accident. Throughout the winter and spring, the business community pressed the State House to first, do no harm, and second, to begin addressing some the State’s most urgent economic needs. The Vermont Futures Project identified a goal to increase the workforce by 10,000 workers annually, and the Legislature showed its commitment to mitigating this supply gap by supporting policies that better attract and retain a highly trained workforce. While the issue of worker shortages impacts virtually every industry and was a topic at the forefront of most economic development conversations, it was only one of many areas where significant progress occurred.

Governor Scott and the Legislature truly embraced the opportunity to work together whenever possible, placing the interests of Vermonters far ahead of temptations to partake in unproductive political gamesmanship. Evidence of this is most apparent in the bipartisan focus on economic development that characterized the 2019 legislative session. Some of the resulting standout successes include:

• Passage of a workforce bill that provides $1.95 million for expanded incentives, including the remote workers program and $2 million in tourism marketing funds as well as an additional
  $225,000 to market Vermont as a place to live and work
• Provision of resources to research initiatives to better enable populations with traditional barriers to employment to enter the workforce, with emphasis placed on the corrections population, workers in recovery and new Americans
• Changes enacted to the Vermont Training Program to add guidelines that focus grants on small businesses
• Passage of legislation to include marketing of the State-owned airports in the State’s economic development marketing plan
• Passage of legislation that clearly defines State-owned master permits for airports, including Act 250, Agency of Natural Resources and other applicable permits
• Passage of a broadband bill that that substantially increases broadband access to the nearly 50,000 Vermonters who lack high-speed internet

​The Vermont Chamber of Commerce commends the work of all policy leaders, but particularly acknowledges the legislative leadership of Speaker of the House Mitzi Johnson and Senate President Pro-Tempore Tim Ashe, as well as the Scott Administration’s ongoing commitment to make Vermont an affordable and economically robust state. The minority party was also an essential element in promoting affordability and a policy environment that prioritized strong economic development initiatives.

Like all states, Vermont faces many challenges – high taxes, cumbersome permitting requirements for development and an overall high cost of doing business, to name a few. But considering the real economic progress made in 2019, this session was undoubtedly a win for the business community.