Vermont Business Magazine Retailers, grocers, and industry members are invited to attend the state’s most comprehensive trade show featuring the latest food and retail products, business services, exciting networking opportunities, and informational seminars to improve business practices. The Vermont Retail & Grocers Association will be hosting the VRGA 2016 Convention & Expo at the Hilton Burlington on Friday, April 29th and Saturday, April 30th.
The Expo will take place on Saturday, April 30th from 11:00am to 4:00pm and is free to attend by employers and employees with a stake in Vermont’s retail and grocers industry when they register online in advance at vtrga.org/events. Exhibitors will offer a wide variety of products and services for food, general retail, and restaurants. Informational seminars will be available to all attendees and will offer tips to streamline a business owners’ day, reduce retail theft, how to build the best gift basket, and guidance on the new GMO labeling law.
Networking events will span the two-day event; including a Brewery Hop on Friday evening and Meet the Brewers tasting on Saturday evening preceding our Chairman’s Dinner & Persons of the Year award. An annual Scholarship Silent Auction will be held Saturday, with proceeds benefiting the Vermont Retail & Grocers Association Scholarship Fund. The association annually awards $15,000 in scholarships to first-year Vermont students. The Convention & Expo will conclude with dinner and entertainment by Even Stevens, an award-winning songwriter whose career spans many years and stylistic borders from the multi-platinum international hit When You’re in Love With a Beautiful Woman by Dr. Hook, to the three-week running No. 1 Pop hit, I Love a Rainy Night with long-time partner Eddie Rabbitt.
This event will be the inaugural event for VRGA; however, it serves as the 82nd Convention & Expo for the food industry in Vermont. Prior to the merger of the Vermont Retail Association and the Vermont Grocers Association, the Vermont Grocers Association hosted the event at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex.
“This convention and expo continues to provide a venue for retailers to find the latest and greatest products and business services, and for exhibitors to expand their reach,” said VRGA Vice President Erin Sigrist. “And with the newly-designed networking events as well as the new location of the convention and expo in downtown Burlington, this year’s event is sure to provide something for everyone attending.”
More information on the VRGA 2016 Convention & Expo can be found at vtrga.org/events.
The Vermont Retail & Grocers Association represents approximately 800 retail stores and 250 suppliers to the retail and grocery industries; including the Vermont Specialty Food Association. Current members include clothing stores, sports stores, supermarkets, food co-ops, beverage stores, convenience stores, and general and country stores among many other merchants. Associate members include manufacturers, wholesalers, brokers, and service providers. To learn more visit vtrga.org.