The Valley Arts Foundation has partnered with the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM) to get the word out that the Mad River Valley is the place to be this summer to experience everything arts.
Karen Nevin, director of the Valley Arts Foundation, is working with Megan Smith, commissioner of VDTM, to promote The Valley this summer. August isn’t the only time The Valley celebrates the arts. June brings the Green Mountain Opera Festival, in July there is the new Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition and, of course, August brings the Vermont Festival of the Arts.
“I reached out to the Department of Tourism to see how we could work together to bring The Valley to the attention of as many people as possible,” said Karen Nevin, “Commissioner Smith was incredibly receptive to working with us.”
Together, they have put together a three-pronged approach to encourage visitors to spend time here this summer. Four different festival weekends will be given away via an online Vermont Festival of the Arts Sweepstakes at the state’s tourism website: www.vermontvacation.com. Each weekend includes a two-night stay at a local inn, dinner for two at a local restaurant and extra festival activities.
“The generosity of our local businesses is amazing,” said Nevin, “It’s because of them that the sweepstakes is possible.” Along with the increased web presence through the Department of Tourism, the Chamber of Commerce is getting the word out through their website.
A four-page spread on the Arts in the Mad River Valley will be in the summer issue of Vermont Life Magazine coming out in May. There is great information on what to do and see, places to stay and eat and all the ways that the arts are celebrated.
“The Mad River Valley is such a special place in the summer. With a readership of over 100,000, we will definitely get noticed,” Nevin said.
Finally, the Vermont Department of Tourism attends a number of tourism expos to promote Vermont as a vacation destination. Along with domestic events, they attend three or four international expos. Vermont will be letting people in Germany, England, Canada and even Japan know that the Mad River Valley is a great place to visit this summer.
"The arts community is a vibrant component of Vermont's population and integral ingredient to Vermont's brand as a tourism and recreation destination," said Megan Smith, commissioner of Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing. "To promote this festival and arts organization provides success two-fold. We nurture and promote an event that directly draws tourists to the state, and we support Vermont's arts community and economy. These efforts align with our overall mission to strengthen Vermont communities."
Planning for the 16th Vermont Festival of the Arts is in full swing. The Festival is a 120-event, 33-day arts festival that takes place during August each year. With so much to do, it is known for its multimedia, multi-age, and multidimensional events that provide activities for everyone. For more information, call (802) 496-6682 or go to www.vermontartfest.com.
{loadnavigation}
