The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce formally announced a significant leadership milestone at its Annual Membership Meeting on January 30th of this year, naming Matt Harrington as Chief Executive Officer of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber enterprise. The appointment reflects both Harrington’s decade of leadership and the expanded scope, scale, and complexity of the organization’s work across the region.
Harrington has served as Executive Director of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce since 2016, guiding its transformation from a traditional town-based chamber into a multi-entity regional enterprise advancing business growth, workforce development, tourism, and long-term economic vitality across Southwestern Vermont. As CEO, Harrington now oversees the Chamber, affiliated organizations including The Shires of Southwestern Vermont Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), The Shires Young Professionals (SYP), the Bennington State Welcome Center, and the newly-founded Southwestern Vermont Chamber Foundation, also announced at the Annual Membership Meeting.
Under Harrington’s leadership, the Chamber has experienced significant growth in membership, programming, partnerships, and regional influence. Signature initiatives include the reinvention of Garlic Fest into Garlic Town, USA, the creation of other award-winning community festivals, the Women in Leadership Luncheon, Heart of the Shires Luncheon & B2B Golf Classic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Harrington created Chamber Telecasts in partnership with Southwestern Vermont Health Care to keep businesses informed and connected during unprecedented disruption. During that period, the organization not only remained operational but strengthened its reputation as a trusted regional convener and advocate.