ARCHIVES: 2017 Schedule at-a-Glance

Some presenters have provided support materials for your reference. Look for the hyperlinked word "DOWNLOAD" on session details page and keynote page. 
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Daytime Ski and Ride Stowe
Enjoy spring skiing and riding before the conference!		 OFFSITE: Stowe Mountain Resort
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Vermont Tourism Summit Welcome Mixer and Vermont Bartender of the Year Competition — Hosted by the Vermont Bartenders Guild. Presented by Hotel Vermont and the Distilled Spirits Council of Vermont. Sponsored by VT Ski + Ride.
Sample classic cocktails prepared by some of Vermont's finest bartenders from around the state. Learn More.		 OFFSITE: Rusty Nail (1190 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672; a short walk from the Stoweflake Resort along the bike path)
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
8:00 am - 5:00 pm Conference Registration Desk Open Atrium
Multiple Times Pre-Conference Industry Group Meetings
  • Vermont Tourism Network (VTN) — 8:30 am - 11:30 am
    Open to Members Only | Location: Green Mountain A & B
  • Vermont Inn and Bed and Breakfast Association (VIBBA) — 9:00 am - 11:45 am
    Open to All | Location: Stuart
  • Vermont Gay Tourism Association (VGTA) — 9:00 am - 11:00 am
    Open to All | Location: Beatrice
  • Scenic Route 100 Byway Meeting — 10:00 am - 11:00 am
    Open to All Along Scenic Route 100 | Location: Mansfield
  • Byways Meeting, Presented by the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing — 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
    Open to All | Location: Mansfield | DOWNLOAD
 Multiple Locations
8:00 am - 12:00 pm Sponsor Booth Set Up Stowe North & South and Atrium
12:00 pm - 1:40 pm Opening Session & Lunch
  • Welcome from the Board
  • Keynote Presentation by Mara Gorman, Writer
    How The Vermont I Knew Has Become the Vermont I Know (and Why That Matters)
    So much of what makes Vermont a marketable travel brand is based on what the place actually is. Let's talk about how the past decade has seen Vermont dig into its tourism roots and come up with a vision that can sustain the generations to come. Learn more.
  • Working Together to Promote Vermont Tourism Panel
    Panelists: Peter Andruszkiewicz, AirBnB; Carrie Hauser, AirBnB; Janice Hurley, Bedandbreakfast.com; Rob Fulton, Association of Independent Hospitality Professionals. Moderated by: Tim Piper, Vermont Inn and Bed & Breakfast Association
 Pinnacle Ballroom
1:40 pm - 2:00 pm Visit with Sponsors & Auction Bidding Stowe North & South and Atrium
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Concurrent Sessions Multiple Locations
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm Refreshment Break Stowe North & South and Atrium
3:15 pm - 4:15 pm Concurrent Sessions Multiple Locations
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing Presentation
Agency of Commerce Deputy Secretary Ted Brady and Vermont Tourism Deputy Commissioner Steven Cook will present Vermont Tourism trends, new resources and tools and future marketing strategies.		 Pinnacle Ballroom
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Cocktail Hour with Sponsors Stowe North & South & Atrium
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm Farm-to-Plate Dinner Event & Awards Presentation (about the awards)
  • The Vermont Chamber of Commerce 2017 Hospitality Awards
    • Chef of the Year
    • Restaurateur of the Year
    • Borden E. Avery Innkeeper of the Year
    • Tourism Partner of the Year
  • The Vermont Tourism Summit Awards
    • Vermont Bartender of the Year
    • The SMART Award for Creative Marketing in Tourism
    • The Christiane Skinner Vermont Tourism Champion of the Year Award
 Pinnacle Ballroom
Late Night Night Cap
Join your friends, old and new, for a night cap at Charlie B's Pub in the Stoweflake.		 Charlie B's
Thursday, April 6, 2017
7:30 am - 3:00 pm Conference Registration Desk Open Atrium
7:30 am - 8:30 am Continental Breakfast, Visit with Sponsors & Auction Bidding Stowe North & South and Atrium
8:30 am - 9:45 am Opening Session
  • Welcome Address from Governor Phil Scott
  • Panel of State Agency Representatives with Q&A
    Panelists: Steve Cook, Deputy Commissioner of Tourism & Marketing; Patrick Delaney, Commissioner of Liquor; Chelsea Bardot Lewis, Business Development Section Chief, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets; Louis Porter, Commissioner of Fish & Wildlife; Kaj Samsom, Commissioner of Tax; Michael Schirling, Secretary of the Agency of Commerce & Community Development; Mike Snyder, Commissioner of Forests, Parks & Recreation. Moderated by: Lisa Chase, University of Vermont Extension - Tourism Research Center
 Pinnacle Ballroom
9:45 am - 10:00 am Refreshment Break, Visit with Sponsors & Auction Bidding Stowe North & South and Atrium
10:00 am - 11:00 am Concurrent Sessions Multiple Locations
11:00 am - 11:15 am Visit with Sponsors & Auction Bidding
Last chance to place your bids on auction items! Auction closes at 11:15 am.		 Stowe North & South and Atrium
11:15 am - 12:15 pm Concurrent Sessions Multiple Locations
12:15 pm - 2:00 pm Closing Session & Lunch
  • Keynote Presentation by Jason Dunkel, Environics Analytics
    We’re Not All The Same – Understanding and Targeting Millennials
    In this session Jason Dunkel will use Environics Analytics’ demographic and behavioural data to investigate population growth, age, income, and diversity; and their impact on the travel and tourism industry. This will be followed by a deep dive into the different generations, with a particular focus on Millennials. Jason will then introduce the concepts of marketing analytics and discuss how data can be used to understand and target millennials as well as your other customers. Learn more.
Stay until the end of the conference and be entered to win FREE registration to the 2018 Summit! Must be present to win.		 Pinnacle Ballroom
2:00 pm Conference Adjourns
Remember to pick up auction items at the conference registration desk if you have the winning bid!		 Atrium
2:30 pm - 6:30 pm Guest Service Excellence - AHLEI Certification
Advance registration required; additional fee to attend.		 Beatrice
Photo Credit: Bob LoCicero (home page); Dennis Curran (header on subsequent pages)