John Crabbe of Vermont Tent honored for dedication to hospitality industry

When John Crabbe began what is today one of the most successful event rental businesses in Vermont, he looked to a national business leader for his inspiration. One quote in particular from Lee Iacocca resonated with Crabbe, ‘people do business with people, not businesses.’ Crabbe knew early in his career that he wanted to personalize the service that he gave his customers and to also become a significant contributor to his community. These two guidelines helped to shape his leadership style and earn him the recognition by his peers with the 2010 Vermont Chamber of Commerce’s Allied Member of the Year award.
Crabbe will be honored alongside some of his friends and business associates at the Vermont Hospitality Awards on September 21 at Sugarbush Resort in Warren. The Allied Member of the Year award is designed to honor an individual who goes above and beyond in offering a service that supports the Vermont hospitality industry. Crabbe’s recognition of his employees as a critical element of the company’s success, ‘team training’ approach, and personal leadership both within and outside the company create an atmosphere of loyalty and support.
Rick Milliken, the General Manager of the DoubleTree Hotel nominated Crabbe for the award. ‘His dedication to service, respect for people, responsiveness, and generosity to the needs of the community makes John and the Vermont Tent Company an exceptional business.’
Under Crabbe’s leadership, Vermont Tent annually donates 5’7 percent of their proceeds to local charities. They have allocated funding to help support organizations that focus on children, the arts, and cancer research. ‘The community is what has made us so successful, we can thank our customers for who we are today,’ said Crabbe. ‘By donating a large percentage of our revenue, we’ve been able to touch so many organizations and give back to a community that has been so generous to us.’
Crabbe has also instituted a solid education and training program for his employees through the American Rental Association. Nearly a dozen of Vermont Tent employees have become Certified Event Rental Professionals, which ensures the highest quality of professionalism for their customers.
Receiving awards and accolades for a thriving career and impact on the community makes Crabbe reflect on how he was able to be successful. He says that while it is incredible to receive the recognition from his peers in the industry, the most important part of an award like the Allied Member of the Year is the impact that it will have on his staff.
‘I plan to have several of my employees at the award ceremony with me and to recognize the hard work that they have done over the years,’ said Crabbe. ‘Because without them this wouldn’t have been possible.’
Source: The Vermont Tent Company. South Burlington, VT’September 20, 2010
In 1976, John H Crabbe, started the Vermont Tent Company with one pole tent. Today, the Vermont Tent Company is nationally recognized as a leader and innovator in the Event Rental Industry. To date the Vermont Tent Company employs the largest staff of Certified Event Rental Professionals in Vermont. www.VTTent.com.