Announcing our 2022 Economic Conference

Announcing our 2022 Vermont Economic Conference

Over the last two years, Vermont’s business community innovated to adapt to new requirements and expectations. Businesses are still being impacted by pandemic-related restrictions, economic factors, and concerns – and now face a labor shortage that spans across every industry.

Attend our 2022 Economic Conference to learn about the national and state economic trends facing Vermont businesses for 2022 while also hearing how Vermont can become an economic leader by welcoming all, supporting and growing our diverse communities, and leaning into our state’s strengths.

The 2022 Vermont Economic Conference will be held virtually over Zoom at no cost. Register today!

Highlights From Manufacturing Summit

Highlights From 2021 Manufacturing Summit
At the Vermont Chamber Virtual Manufacturing Summit last month, we hosted 250 B2B participants, 25 OEMs, Primes, and Government Agencies, hosted 400 B2B meetings (representing 100 hours of quality meeting time for buyers, suppliers, and partners), facilitated workforce development with University of Vermont and Vermont Technical College students for jobs and internships, expanded the Aerospace Trade Corridor to Ontario, welcomed international trade delegations from Québec, Ontario, and Canada, and much more
 
Please find additional highlights and results from the Summit below:
  • Expansion of Aerospace Trade Corridor to Ontario

In support of our work to inter-cluster our aerospace and defense industries and provide our participants with access to new markets, contacts, shared best practices, and supply chain innovation and transformation, the Vermont Chamber, in partnership with the Ontario Aerospace Council, signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the recent 2021 Manufacturing Summit and officially expanded the Aerospace Trade Corridor to Ontario’s $6 billion aerospace and defense sector. The MOU will provide the additional framework going forward for collaboration and partnership, which will foster the development of new, cross-border contacts and business opportunities as we reconnect and rebuild our supply chains.

  • Gov. Scott & Sen. Leahy at Vermont Chamber Manufacturing Summit

Governor Phil Scott and Senator Patrick Leahy were featured speakers at our 2021 Manufacturing Summit. Governor Scott discussed challenges presented by the pandemic, how the Vermont Chamber’s Manufacturing Summit benefits participants, and the economic importance of Vermont’s manufacturing industry. Senator Leahy noted the unique and important opportunity that attendees of the Manufacturing Summit had to learn from industry experts, convene, and build their networks.

  • Watch Governor Scott here.
  • Watch Senator Leahy here.
  • Workforce Development with UVM and Vermont Technical College

At our 2021 Manufacturing Summit, we provided important workforce development through partnerships with the University of Vermont College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CEMS) and Vermont Technical College. The Vermont Chamber facilitated 20 interviews for students and soon-to-be graduates in STEM and advanced manufacturing with employer participants for jobs and internship opportunities.

  • Sponsor 2022 Manufacturing Summit

Our Annual 2022 Manufacturing Supply Chain Summit will be in held in September with a confirmed date to soon follow. To join us as a sponsor, please contact Chris Carrigan, (802) 223-0904, ccarrigan@vtchamber.com

Applications for Top 10 2022 Events Open

Applications for Top 10 2022 Events Open
The Vermont Chamber is pleased to be running our annual Top 10 Events program in 2022.
 
The deadline to submit applications for all seasons is Friday, November 5, 2021.
 
Eligibility & Qualities of A Winning Event:
Applications are assessed by a panel of judges who take into consideration the geography and date of all events submitted. Judges select a variety of events that represent the entire state during the winter, summer, and fall months. Judges consider:
 
  • The size of the event, including past audience and potential room for growth.
  • Its appeal to a large diverse audience of all ages, including both Vermont residents and out-of-state visitors.
  • If the venue can accommodate attendance up to twice the normal count.
The Top 10 Event designation is a great marketing tool. Winter, summer and fall event winners will be featured in our upcoming Vermont Annual Inspiration Guide and will be featured events on the VermontVacation.com Events Calendar.
 
Below are the applications for the 2022 Top 10 Events, and the dates events must fall between to be considered. Please note that the deadline to submit applications for all seasons is Friday, November 5th.
2022TopTenLogo
2022 Top 10 Winter Events Application (November 15, 2021 – March 31, 2022)
2022 Top 10 Summer Events Application (April 1 – August 31, 2022)
2022 Top 10 Fall Events Application (September 1 – October 31, 2022)

Vermont Chamber Addresses Racial Equity During Latest Virtual Policy Discussion

Vermont Chamber Addresses Racial Equity During Latest Virtual Policy Discussion

Excerpt from WAMC News coverage of a Vermont Chamber of Commerce event:

‘Vermont has long been known for, and often struggled with, being one of the whitest states in the nation.   According to U.S. Census data, 94 percent of the state’s population is white, 1.4 percent Black, 1.9 percent Asian and 2 percent Hispanic or Latino. 

Vermont Chamber President Betsy Bishop says advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion has become a priority for many organizations including the Vermont Chamber.  

“Our board  has begun working on DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) issues through a task force that initially started with a mission to diversify our board,” Bishop said. “The mission quickly brought in to include diversifying our membership and partnering with other organizations to help BIPOC businesses thrive in Vermont. We are developing programming to support and promote BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color) businesses and other business in efforts to address DEI initiatives in their own companies. We’ll be gathering input through an outreach process to ensure that we meet the needs of these businesses.”’

Read more from WAMC News Reporter Pat Bradley.

Watch our full recorded event, Advancing Equity in Vermont, with Representative Hal Colston and Senator Kesha Ram.

​Vermont Chamber Cohosts Candidate Forums

​Vermont Chamber Cohosts Candidate Forums

With Election Day just around the corner, the Vermont Chamber teamed up with Let’s Grow Kids and the Vermont Housing Finance Agency to cohost nonpartisan governor and lieutenant governor candidate forums. 

See where the candidates stand on issues that affect Vermonters by watching the recorded forums.

Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor were asked how they would approach current issues, answering questions on:

  • The growing need for consistent broadband connectivity 
  • Inadequate access to high-quality, affordable child care
  • Access to affordable housing in Vermont
  • Investment in rural economic development

Your vote in this election will help shape Vermont’s future, including our recovery from the pandemic and our community response to fellow Vermonters’ needs. Thank you for your engagement with these important elections.