Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets is pleased to announce the availability of a third year of funding for Trade Show Assistance Grants. Trade Show Assistance Grants financially assist eligible Vermont agriculture and forestry businesses in connecting with new markets and buyers at out-of-state trade shows. As of November 1st, the application period for the FY2018 Trade Show Assistance Grants is now open and funding will be allocated on a first come first serve basis until funds are depleted. Funding for this program has been made available by the Working Lands Enterprise Board and all grantees will be expected to contribute a 1:1 match. This year’s grants will be available to out-of-state trade show exhibitors and requests will be granted for $1,000-$2,500.
To date, VAAFM has made grants to over 60 businesses to attend 21 different trade shows in 14 different states, with grantees projecting more than $2 million in total annual sales attributable to exhibiting at these trade shows. Trade Show Assistance Grant funding may be used for the following approved expenses: travel expenses; marketing assets and booth design; registration fees; booth fees; furnishings; utilities; freight; other marketing costs (samples, printing, etc).
“The economic development of our agriculture and forestry sector is integral to growing Vermont’s economy,” said Secretary Anson Tebbetts. “The Working Lands Enterprise Board and the Agency of Agriculture have repeatedly demonstrated the importance of marketing high-quality Vermont products beyond our state. These small grants undoubtedly show great results.”
- Business is registered with the Vermont Secretary of State, has been in business for over one (1) year, and has an address indicating that substantial business functions are performed in Vermont;
- Product contains at least 50% Vermont agricultural or forestry content/ingredients (excluding water and packaging)
- Business has 3 or more retail/wholesale accounts.
Lauren Masseria, Senior Market Development Specialist at the Agency, told VBM: "We provide the funds for out of state trade shows because these tend to be more of a financial burden for businesses. In addition, we want to encourage people to meet new buyers, brokers, and distributors and get in front of new audiences and one way to do that is to require people to exhibit out of state"
For more information on the program, eligibility, and funding requirements visit www.agriculturegrants.vermont.gov or contact Lauren Masseria by email at [email protected] or call 802.505.5413.