Chamber members enjoying the Mix and Mingle portion of the night. Photos courtesy of Lorianna Weathers Photography and the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce
Vermont Business Magazine The Bennington Regional Chamber of Commerce announced to a crowd of over 200 of its members and stakeholders on Friday night that the 109-year-old organization would now be known as the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
The name change comes as a final initiative of the 2020 Vision that the chamber board of directors laid out at their 2017 annual membership meeting. At the 2017 meeting Matt Harrington, executive director of the regional chamber of commerce, announced that the chamber organization would, “embrace a 2020 vision to become a regionally recognized Chamber for membership growth & assistance, operational & leadership excellence, and a catalyst for Southern Vermont economic development.”
This vision was announced in the wake of the Manchester Chamber closing earlier that year.
“This is something we’ve been building up to,” states Harrington. “The past three years have seen a huge expansion by this chamber to embrace the Northshire and all the collective 17 towns of Southwestern Vermont. This night was about the final crescendo of that vision; the peak; a celebration of the foundational elements this chamber and its members have been laying out for 3 years. We’re excited for the next adventure with the new name.”
The name change was decided by an overwhelming majority of the board of directors and was supported by the board's executive committee of officers. “We feel that it was time and with a clear majority of the directors agreeing, we moved forward,” adds Brian Maggiotto, current president of the chamber’s board of directors. Maggiotto continued, “As business owners and community leaders, we have had to adapt and evolve daily to accommodate the changing landscape and the needs of the region. The name change will only quicken our ability to support and represent the full region and our growing membership.”
Brian Maggiotto, president of the board of directors of the new Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce with Matt Harrington, executive director.
Whereas The Shires of Vermont brand, a destination marketing arm of the chamber, provides flexibility and imagination in its title for travelers and vacationers, the chamber wanted its organization’s name to give a sense of place and location according to Harrington.
“As we’ve said from the beginning of this journey, this region is stronger together. We’ve seen elements of that throughout the past few years from the Vermont Shires Connector shuttle service to the Governor’s Capitol for the Day events throughout the region; from our Stay To Stay program which has brought over 60 people to the region to the full realization of the Putnam Project with investors from all over the county. Being from Southwestern Vermont, running a business in Southwestern Vermont, raising a family in Southwestern is something to be proud of. It’s time we all walk in that fact and work together to secure our economic future.”
The annual meeting which happens once a year in January to bring all the chamber members together also introduced a 2020 budget for the organization which the membership voted on and passed.
The meeting provided the opportunity to introduce the board of directors’ new slate of officers including: Brian Maggiotto of The Inn at Manchester as president, newcomer Matt Willey of Ramuntos Pizza, The Avacado Pit and Buckstop as First Vice President, Michael McKenna of D.B. McKenna as Second Vice President, Tom Dailey of Cummings and Dailey LLP as Treasurer and Jonah Spivak as Past President.
Remaining on the executive board in an ex officio capacity are Brenda Jones of KW Vermont and Art Whitman of A&K Agriservices. Ray Smith of Southwestern Vermont Health Care was added to the board on Friday night to fill the sixteenth seat.
The night kicked off with every attendee receiving complimentary champagne as a toast to the year, followed by a “Mix and Mingle” social hour which included hors d’ oeuvres, stations and a cash bar with Vermont beers, wines and liquors. New to the meeting this year was a Member To Member silent auction and raffle where members could bid on other member’s services and goods.
Such items included a 4-wheel computer alignment and balance by Wassick Tire Service, a 20lb propane refill by EZ Way REntal Center, two winter 2020 lecture passes from Green Mountain Academy for Lifelong Learning, a 3-course dinner for two at The Reluctant Panther Inn and Restaurant, a basket from new business Beyond Gallery and Gifts Shop and more. Over 25 members participated in the auction by providing the items; all in attendance could participate.
The business meeting portion of the night began with a special tribute to the late Lindy Lynch, former president of the board of directors and chair of the Garlicfest, the chamber's largest event. Representative Mary Morrissey along with chamber leadership presented the Lynch family with a State proclamation in honor of Lynch for her many years of service to the chamber, Garlicfest and the Bennington community.
Presenting sponsor Heritage Family Credit Union welcomed the membership afterwards followed by board president Maggiotto addressing the membership. He highlighted some of the past year’s wins and his excitement for the future, alluding to stronger regional ties and the strength of the region coming together.
Matt Harrington, executive director of the chamber now entering his fifth year at the helm, focused on the team at the chamber. He used the analogy of Canadian geese and how they flock together as a team to reach their destination to describe the various people who have helped to make the chamber what it is today including staff, the board, volunteers and members.
He shared, “scientists have learned that as each bird flaps its wings it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a V formation, the flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone… if anyone has witnessed the over 150 volunteers at this year’s Garlicfest, you could see the 71% lift we had by flying together... Additionally, geese honk from behind to encourage those in front to keep up their speed. Of course we missed our biggest "honker" this year in the passing of Lindy Lynch, but I think we still heard words of encouragement and praise throughout the festival.”
He finished his portion of the night by stating, “It is only with a team like this that we seek full regionalism and believe that we truly are stronger together. I am pleased and excited to announce that effective immediately at the close of this business meeting, the Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce will now be known as the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce to better reflect our mission to be a regionally recognized Chamber for membership growth & assistance, operational & leadership excellence, and a catalyst for Southern Vermont economic development.”
To finish off the night on a high note, Harrington and the executive board of the chamber handed out the annual awards where the Chamber identifies citizens throughout the region and their contributions to the area. This year’s recipients include:
· The D. Ed Moore Award, given to the member who best enhances the effectiveness of the Chamber and its programs, was awarded to Matt Willey of Ramuntos Pizza, Buckstop and The Avocado Pit
· The President’s Award, given to a community member who has been an outstanding volunteer for the Chamber, was awarded to Sue Andrews of the Greater Bennington Interfaith Community Services (GBICS).
· The Business Community Spirit Award, given to an organization for supporting community events and presenting Bennington in the most positive light, was awarded to The Bennington Redevelopment Group for The Putnam Project.
· The Mike Williams Hospitality Award, given to an individual because of their positive attitude and pleasant manner in the promotion of Bennington, was awarded to Chris and Holly Wright and Sandra Danforth Fothergill of the Bennington Blotter Facebook Page and various town events.
· The Young Professional of the Year award in a community/nonprofit was awarded to Alexina Jones of The Bennington Museum and the award for the Young Professional of the Year in a business sector was awarded to Ed Barbeau of Global Z International.
· The Regional Visionary Award, given to an individual who has made significant contributions to the improvement of the business environment and quality of life for The Shires of Vermont region as a whole, was given to Paula Maynard
The awards are determined by multiple factors including membership vote, past recipients, staff, annual dinner committee and the board.
The night concluded as Harrington thanked his board, committees and especially Susan Strano, chair of the annual meeting committee and his staff of Erika Floriani, Mikaela Lewis and Barb Bluto.
Sponsors for the night included Presenting Sponsor Family Heritage Credit Union, Award Sponsor Tomasi Sports and Awards, Cocktail Sponsor The Inn at Manchester, Hor d’ oeuvres Sponsor KW Brenda Jones Real Estate Group, Champagne Sponsor Cummings and Dailey LLP, Dessert Sponsor At Home Senior Care, Sign Sponsor Berkshire Sign Studio, Media Sponsor The Bennington Banner and Host Bennington College.