By Kristen Brassard, VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets welcomes applications from Vermont agricultural and forestry businesses for Trade Show Assistance Grants. These grants provide businesses with funds to identify, plan, exhibit, and sell their Vermont products at out-of-state trade shows or virtual shows targeting out-of-state buyers. These matching grants can mitigate the financial risks associated with exhibiting at trade shows, which provide excellent opportunities to network with wholesale buyers.
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.). 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, 2023 and March 31, 2024. 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: (1) 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; (2) Business has three or more wholesale accounts; (3) Business’ products meet the Vermont Local Definition as defined in Act 129.
The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative has set aside $50,000 to support Vermont businesses to execute their yearly tradeshow marketing plans. Applications will be reviewed through a competitive process. Eligibility does not guarantee funding will be awarded.
To view the Request for Applications (RFA) for this opportunity (available beginning on 12/1), please visit https://agriculture.vermont.gov/grants/tradeshow. The application will be open from December 15, 2022 through January 31, 2023.
For questions regarding this grant opportunity, please contact Kristen Brassard at kristen.brassard@vermont.gov or by phone at 802-522-3742.
Caption: A row of Vermont businesses exhibiting at a trade show.