We are excited to welcome Megan Sullivan as our new Vice President of Government Affairs, and Amelia Seman as our new Government Affairs Specialist. Learn about Megan and Amelia, and the expansion of the Vermont Chamber's government relations division at an important time, in Vermont Business Magazine.

Vermont Futures Project Welcomes New Executive Director 

The Vermont Futures Project has welcomed Kevin Chu as its new Executive Director. Kevin Chu brings a fresh perspective, innovative thinking, and represents the next generation of Vermonters who choose Vermont as a place to live, work, play and build a business. Lori Smith, the former Executive Director, is transitioning to a new role as Director of Outreach, completing the team for the future.

"If we want to secure a strong economic future and attract new residents, it’s our collective responsibility to make Vermont the best place it can be – free of intolerance and full of inclusion." Our President Betsy Bishop shared in an op-ed in VTDigger how equity is the path to economic success in Vermont. Additionally, last month, 29 chamber directors from across Vermont attended the Vermont Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (VACCE) education conference and completed more than eight hours of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training.

We have an opportunity to put Vermont on the map with the Aerospace Trade Corridor and to transform the state into an Aerospace & Aviation Supply Chain Hub. To help accomplish this, and, along with other important efforts, the Vermont Chamber has partnered with the The Burlington Technical Center to submit a $10 million federal earmark for an Aviation Tech Center filed with U.S. Senator Patrick Senator Leahy.

Learn more and reach out to Chris Carrigan with questions

Our Tourism Advertising Account Executive Marc Plouffe and Advertising Sales Associate & Member Engagement Specialist Megan Bullard, pictured here, had a great time at the 37th Annual Vermont Tourism Summit in Killington! They shared about the Vermont Chamber's new annual publication, which tells the story of Vermont through compelling, authentic content that inspires visitors. With 300,000 copies printed and distributed, our new Inspiration Guide amplifies your business's story and the Vermont brand.

Our Vice President of Tourism Amy Spear shares how Vermont businesses are getting creative and taking advantage of the digital marketplace this holiday season! Read for examples from members Lawson's Finest Liquids and Lake Champlain Chocolates.

Our virtual 2022 Vermont Economic Conference is upcoming on January 25 - 26. As the Vermont Chamber focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion, our economic conference will approach economic growth and Vermont's future with this lens. Look for links to register, coming soon!

The Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation, Vermont Chamber of Commerce, and Lake Champlain Chamber partnered on an op-ed, featured in VTDigger, supporting Vermont Chamber member GlobalFoundries' proposal to become its own self-managed electric utility.

Information has been released about the federal vaccine mandate impacting Vermont employers with 100 or more employees. Because Vermont is a State Plan state, Vermont has 30 days to adopt a standard that is at least as effective as what is outlined federally. Currently, the future of the mandate hangs in limbo as the stay of the mandate has been extended.

Congratulations to our member Smugglers'​ Notch Resort on being rated the top resort overall for skiing in the eastern U.S. and Canada! And congratulations to our members Jay Peak Resort, Sugarbush Resort, Okemo Mountain Resort, Stratton Mountain Resort, Stowe Mountain Resort, and Mount Snow for making the list of the 20 best ski resorts.

The SBA Vermont District Office is accepting nominations for its 2022 small business awards. These annual awards recognize the achievements of SBA-assisted small businesses and the contributions they have made to their communities and Vermont’s economy. What to know:

Governor Scott relaunched the Vermont Lights the Way initiative to help remind us of the community spirit around us. We’re asking Vermont businesses to submit videos, pictures, or stories about kindness and solidarity in Vermont.

Submissions could be a picture of a sign with a hopeful saying, videos from companies sharing kind messages or thanking people, highlighting especially courageous and kind workers, or more. Each business has the chance to be featured on the Governor’s social media pages and receive a recognition.

Submissions are due to [email protected] by December 15, 2021.

This month's Member Spotlight features C2. C2, also known as Competitive Computing, is a Vermont-based digital solutions company specializing in Digital Services, Cloud Solutions, and Managed Services. C2’s industry-leading technology solutions are custom-designed to help position clients to compete in a fast-paced and highly connected world. Recognizing the quality of the work and workforce quality, Xerox has recently acquired C2 as part of its growing IT Services Group. The acquisition was intentional in that the business remains in Vermont, having grown in Vermont, and will continue to serve as a leader in the technology solutions space. C2 will be aligned to Xerox IT Services and Xerox Business Solutions (XBS), providing solutions that support collaboration, communication, remote IT support, security, and automation small and medium-sized business (SMB) and governments require. As the acquisition occurred, Gov. Scott, Secretary Kurrle, Commissioner Goldstein, State of Vermont CIO John Quinn welcomed Xerox to Vermont and congratulated them on their exceptional acquisition of a leading solutions provider from Vermont.

This section features news about Vermont Chamber members and partners.

Email [email protected] with your news.