Vermont Lodging Association Newsletter | September 28, 2026 
Executive Director's Update | Brian Maggiotto
I once heard Sarah Morris from Basin Harbor say we have to “Thrive to Survive,” and those words could not be truer than they are right now! Vermont’s landscape is in its richest season as we transition through a period of warm days, crisp nights, and snowcapped peaks awash with brilliant hues of red and orange below.
All the while, your teams are working long days and nights, controlling what they can, while the rest has to be left to Mother Nature. Foliage season is one of those times when we’re all serving our visitors together, sharing in similar experiences, curating the best that Vermont has to offer. Thank you for your efforts.
Looking ahead to the winter season, I wanted to let you know that the VLA has launched a Jobs Board on our website. As more of you use this valuable tool, its online exposure will grow, allowing our members to reach more potential job candidates. Additionally, we now have an active LinkedIn page which we invite you to follow so more jobs info can be shared in real time.
Margot and I are in the final stages of planning for the 2026 Annual Conference & Business Meeting at the Essex Resort and we look forward to seeing you all there on November 17. Register now here!
And if you have any questions regarding your membership status, upcoming events, or legislative updates, please reach out directly to Executive Director, Brian Maggiotto at [email protected].
Thank you for your continued commitment to our cause!
Don't Miss This
2026 VLA ANNUAL CONFERENCE & BUSINESS MEETING
REGISTER TODAY for VLA's 6th Annual Conference & Business Meeting, November 17 at the Essex Resort & Spa.
Conference Schedule
Tuesday, Nov. 17
7:30-9:30 a.m. Breakfast on own
8:30-11 a.m. Sponsor setup & registration open
9:30-10:30 a.m. Annual Member Business mtg w/ updates from AHLA
10:30-11 a.m. Break and Visit w/ Sponsors
11 a.m.-12 p.m. Kick-off and Q&A w/ Vermont Attorney General, Charity Clark
12-12:15 p.m. Break and Visit w/ Sponsors
12:15-1:15 p.m. Buffet Lunch with Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing: Branding updates & the State Destination Management Plan
1:15-1:45 p.m. Break and Visit w/ Sponsors
1:45-2:30 p.m. ADA/Accessibility Discussion w/ Vermont Division of Fire Safety
2:30-3:15 p.m. Panel w/ Q&A
3:15-4 p.m. Marketing Panel w/ Q&A: How to present your property to the broadest audience
4-4:15 p.m. Break and Visit w/ Sponsors
4:15-5 p.m. ACCD w/ Q&A: How to take advantage of our State partners and their toolkit of resources
5 p.m. Group photo
5:15 p.m. Reception
6:15 p.m. Buffet Dinner
8:00-11 p.m. After Hours/Bar Open
This annual event brings together Vermont’s most engaged and influential lodging professionals, attracting lodging property owners, managers, and industry stakeholders from across the state. Our attendees represent the backbone of Vermont’s hospitality industry — from boutique inns and resorts to long-established B&Bs.
INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN EVENT SPONSOR?
For more info, CLICK HERE
The Farmhouse at Essex Resort & Spa
VLA Info
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NEW VLA PARTNERSHIPS!
As you may also know, our friends at VERMONT Magazine have an annual Wedding Guide in their Holiday issue that provides tips and insights for those hoping to plan a classic Vermont wedding in the coming year (or beyond). You can review last year's issue HERE. Many VLA members were included last year, and we expect similar inclusions in this year's issue.
On behalf of the VLA membership, we have negotiated an incremental 5% gross discount for any VLA member seeking to advertise in this issue. It will be on sale/in distribution for almost 6 months from November 2026 to March 2027, allowing for substantial audience reach and engagement over that period in both print and digital formats. Additionally, the ad(s) will remain archived and linkable in the digital issue after that period.
Click HERE for more info from their Ad Sales Team.
Save the Dates!
VLA CALENDAR
8th Annual Vermont Outdoor Economy Summit
November 12, The Barn at Fox Run, Ludlow, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
VLA Annual Conference & Business Meeting
November 17, Essex Resort & Spa, Essex
Register HERE!
VAWP Annual Fall Conference
December 9-11, Hotel Champlain, Burlington
Vermont Tourism Alliance Regional Winter Event
January 13, The Inn at Manchester
Join Us!
Strength in Numbers: If You're Not Yet a Member, WELCOME
Our legislative voice is only as strong as the number of members we represent. Join more than 125 Vermont properties and Allied Partners of VLA. Click for more information and an application form.
Provided in your VLA Membership is:
- A Strong Legislative Voice: We retain professional lobbying representation in Montpelier to advocate directly for policies, tax structures, and economic measures that safeguard your bottom line.
- Peer Connections: Exclusive access to regional networking events, educational resources, and our member forums allows you to share operational strategies with fellow innkeepers and hoteliers.
- Allied Partner Program: Our partners featured directly in the searchable VLA Allied Partner Directory on our website, providing you direct access to recommended vendors servicing our industry
- American Hotel & Lodging Association: Access to national programs and the ability to participate in AHLA’s national advocacy agenda throughout the year.
If you haven’t already, please take a moment to review and update your active VLA member property profile and listing on LodgingVT.com to ensure your colleagues have your most up-to-date contact info.
Contact Vermont Lodging Association at [email protected]
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