The Vermont Lodging Association
2025 Annual Conference & Member Business Meeting
November 18, 2025 at Mountain Top Resort
CELEBRATING VERMONT HOSPITALITY
The crisp late fall day at Mountain Top Resort was sunny, the snow fresh on the surrounding mountains, and the vibe high as nearly 70 VLA members, event sponsors, and presenters gathered to enjoy a full day of community, learning, and sharing at VLA’s Annual Conference & Member Business Meeting on Nov. 18.
It was a day to celebrate VLA’s state-wide mission (and our fifth anniversary!) of education, advocacy, and networking, a platform that enables our members to gain valuable insights & new contacts. To discover more efficient professional tools. And to build a community of lodging professionals by sharing info and tips with old & new friends.
Together, we are building that community into something stronger. We’re lucky that in a small state like Vermont, this is possible. But it takes effort from us all.
“It takes all of us working together to make Vermont stand out. I left this event with new ideas, a better understanding of the future, and new friends I can call on.”
One of the values of an industry conference like ours—featuring hospitality professionals like Mike Solimano from Killington Resort, Kerrie Tripp from Discover New England, E Scot Fuller-Beatty from The Bold Collaboration, and state legislators/administrators like Treasurer Mike Pieciak and Commissioner Heather Pelham from the VT Dept. of Tourism & Marketing all in the same room—is that you get to ask questions of the decision-makers and thought leaders in our field, and make personal contacts over a meal or a drink that you can follow up later.
ATTENDEE FEEDBACK
“With excellent speakers sharing relatable information, sponsors and presenters offering excellent education, and many opportunities for networking, this conference is a must-attend for lodging and lodging adjacent hospitality professionals.”
“This year’s conference offered valuable insights, strong speakers, and meaningful discussions. It was a well-organized event that highlighted the strength and collaboration within Vermont’s lodging industry.”
“The VLA Conference was an excellent opportunity to meet in real time with our peers in the hospitality industry and also receive excellent updates on many key topics from the experts.”
“I love Vermont and, seriously, I was a little teary-eyed. It was so well done!”
“It was a great time to visit with fellow innkeepers and share stories. This and the legislative support are both reasons I come.”
“Excellent job with the speakers, overall flow, setting, and culinary offerings. Everything came together beautifully. I left feeling proud of the VLA efforts to bring everyone together to celebrate our industry.”
Set atop a central Vermont mountain, with over 700 private acres of woods and meadow, sweeping views of the Green Mountains, and a pristine lake, Mountain Top Resort makes a short drive from home feel like a world away. With one of the best views in Vermont, luxurious lodging, artfully crafted cuisine, and year-round activities, there’s something for everyone in this secluded destination getaway resort.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE & MEMBER BUSINESS MEETING SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Nov. 18
7:30-10:30 a.m. Breakfast on own
8:30-11 a.m. Sponsor setup & Attendee registration open
9:30-10:30 a.m. Annual Member Business Meeting (open to all VLA members in-person and online)
10:30-11 a.m. Break and Visit w/ Sponsors
11 a.m.-12 p.m. Kick-off Speaker Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak
Treasurer Mike Pieciak will provide an update on the state of Vermont’s economy and outline strategies to drive sustainable growth. His presentation will highlight key trends, challenges, and opportunities to strengthen our economic foundation for the future. Mike is a husband, proud Vermonter, and Vermont’s 31st Treasurer. Growing up in Brattleboro, Mike was inspired to pursue public service by the example his parents set, who raised Mike to believe that Vermonters should always look after their neighbors. That belief continues to guide his work today. As Treasurer, Mike has focused on making smart investments that lower costs, strengthen Vermont’s economy, and give every Vermonter a fair shot at success. Mike successfully championed the passage of “Vermont Saves” – a simple, no-cost solution to help +80,000 Vermonters save for their future and achieve greater financial security in retirement. Mike also expanded the “10% in Vermont” program to invest over $100 million in new housing development, supporting over 1,100 additional housing units statewide. Most recently, Mike announced a plan to eliminate up to $100 million in medical debt held by working and middle-class Vermonters.
12:15-1:15 p.m. Lunch with VDTM Commissioner Heather Pelham: “Update & Presentation of Destination Management Plan”
1:15-1:30 p.m. Break and Visit w/ Sponsors
1:30-2:30 p.m. Panel: “Growing International Travel to Vermont: An Introduction to Discover New England and Receptive Operators” with Kerrie Trip and Lori Harnois
Kerrie Tripp joined Discover New England as Director of Product & Sales in January 2023, bringing more than 23 years of experience in hospitality and tourism to the role. A passionate advocate for New England’s destinations and the people behind them, she loves creating opportunities that connect local partners with the international travel trade. Before joining DNE, Kerrie served as the Tourism and Hospitality Marketing Director at Sutherland Weston Marketing Communications in Bangor, Maine, where she built and led a division dedicated to the tourism industry. Prior to that, she spent two decades as Executive Director of the Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Lori Harnois is the Northeast Contract Manager for TourMappers. Her primary role includes securing new hotels and attractions from the Great Lakes, New England, and the Mid-Atlantic states. She is also the Director of Business Development and Project Manager at Delaney Event Management. Previously, Lori served as the Director of the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development where her primary role was to promote the State of New Hampshire as a domestic and international travel destination. Lori also held the Executive Director role at Discover New England, where her primary role was to increase tourism to the New England region from overseas markets.
2:45-3:45 p.m. Mike Solimano, President & CEO of Killington Resort, on “365 Days of Programming: How to Build & Sustain It”
Michael Solimano is the President and CEO of Killington Resort and Pico Mountain, overseeing all operational and strategic aspects of the largest ski and snowboard destination in the Eastern United States. Since joining Killington in 2001, he has helped transform the resort’s culture and guest experience through open communication, innovation, and hands-on leadership. Before pursuing his passion for the ski industry, Mike served as Vice President of Finance and Operations for Dynastar North America prior to joining Killington/Pico as Vice President of Finance.
3:45-4 p.m. Break and Visit w/ Sponsors
4-5 p.m. E. Scot Fuller-Beatty, The Bold Collaboration: “Mastering Revenue Management: Effective Pricing Strategies & Promotions”
E Scot Fuller-Beatty is a seasoned educator, dynamic conference speaker, and sought-after consultant in the independent lodging industry. With a background in education, hospitality, sales, and technology, he simplifies complex topics, such as revenue management, guest communications, online travel agencies (OTAs), and entrepreneurship, into actionable strategies. Scot transitioned from teaching to hospitality in 2009, turning his Portland, Maine, B&B into a 10-year Travelers’ Choice Award-winner before shifting to consulting. He founded The Bold Collaboration in 2022, helping lodging owners maximize revenue and efficiency. A dedicated industry leader, Scot has served the Association of Lodging Professionals as a board member, Board Chair, and Interim-CEO since the association’s founding. Scot is currently the Immediate Past Chair through March of 2026.
5:15 p.m. VLA Group Photo
5:30 p.m. Evening Reception & Dinner, with remarks by Ski Vermont’s Molly Mahar highlighting industry trends and marketing initiatives for the upcoming season
8-11 p.m. After Hours at the Tavern
Wed. Nov. 19
7:30-10 a.m. Breakfast on own
11 a.m. Check Out
VLA Member Conference Fee: $100pp (includes lunch)
Non-VLA member: $125pp (includes lunch)
Reception/Dinner: $100pp
2025 Annual Conference Event Sponsors
Platinum Event Sponsor
Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing
Silver Event Sponsors
