$50K fund supports Vermont agriculture and forestry businesses to exhibit at trade shows
December 1, 2023 | Montpelier, VT - The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) welcomes applications from Vermont agricultural and forestry businesses for Trade Show Assistance Grants (TSAG). These grants provide businesses with funds to exhibit and sell their Vermont products at trade shows targeting out-of-state buyers. These matching grants can partially offset the expenses associated with exhibiting at trade shows.
Trade shows are wonderful opportunities to promote Vermont’s incredible food, forestry, and agricultural products to people from around the region and the world. They provide excellent opportunities to network with wholesale buyers and expand into new domestic and international markets. The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative has allocated $50,000 to support Vermont businesses through these Trade Show Assistance Grants with the following requirements:
- Funding may be used to reimburse up to 50% of the following expenses: travel; marketing assets and booth design; registration fees; booth fees; furnishings; utilities; shipping/freight; and other marketing costs (samples, printing, etc.).
- Trade show(s) must target buyers outside of Vermont and be in the business to business/wholesale format. Direct-to-consumer shows are not eligible for TSAG funding.
- Applicants may include up to five trade shows in their yearly marketing plan, requesting a total of between $2,000 and $5,000 in eligible reimbursements for shows that take place between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025.
- Businesses may not apply for funding to support attendance at trade shows they have already attended five or more times.
Eligible applicants are Vermont-based agricultural and forestry businesses that meet the following criteria:
- Business is registered with the Vermont Secretary of State and has been in business for over one year, with an address indicating that they perform substantial functions in Vermont;
- Business has three or more wholesale accounts;
- Business’s products meet the Vermont Local Definition as defined in Act 129.
Applications will be reviewed through a competitive process. Eligibility does not guarantee funding will be awarded. To learn more about this opportunity and review the full Request for Applications (RFA), please visit agriculture.vermont.gov/grants/tradeshow. The application will be open through January 15, 2024.
Questions related to the Trade Show Assistance Grant program should be directed to Kristen Brassard at 802-522-3742 or kristen.brassard@vermont.gov.