By Jack Sharry for the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce Board
Anyone who has spent time in the Mad River Valley knows this is a unique and wonderful place. With its staggering natural beauty, vital working lands, abundant and diverse all-season recreation opportunities, fabulous locally grown food and arts and its long history of creativity, hard work and innovation, the Mad River Valley is a one-of-a-kind place. That’s why so many full- and part-time residents and visitors call it home.
With new energy, a clear strategy, dedicated board and an experienced executive director, the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce is well underway and gaining momentum in making things happen to preserve all that’s wonderful about this community while determining ways the Mad River Valley can thrive.
This is the first in a series of articles that reveals the chamber’s thoughtful and clearly articulated strategy and plan to positively impact the local economy and community. The chamber board and the recently appointed executive director, Jasmine Bigelow, have engaged in a rich dialogue with businesses and community members. This has resulted in a strategy and plan that is focused on balancing destination marketing and business support services, while keeping an eye out to maintain a work-life balance.
Over the next few months, we will share the elements of the plan and what they mean to you. The following is our Vision, Mission, Core Values and Strategic Platforms.
Vision: The Mad River Valley will be an economically thriving, socially vibrant community that appeals to vacationing visitors and offers positive work-life balance for business owners and a favorable amenity-serenity balance for full-time residents and second-home owners.
Mission: To improve the economic well-being of Mad River Valley businesses through leading destination marketing efforts, building brand equity and creating a unified and engaged culture.
Core Values:
Communication – We tell it like it is.
Integrity – We do the right thing for the greater good.
Respect – We listen to people and value opinions.
Accountability – We do what we say we’re going to do.
Strategic Platforms:
Destination Marketing – Create and execute an integrated, year-round marketing plan, to increase visibility of the Mad River Valley in the destination marketplace, attract new visitors and keep repeat visitors engaged.
Brand Equity – Be the champions of the Mad River Valley brand to develop and foster a recognizable brand image for The Valley and proliferate and manage its use by local businesses, towns and organizations.
Unity – Create an engaged community culture of aligned goals, shared responsibility and unified efforts among organizations to demonstrate and inspire a Mad River Valley ethos of optimism and enthusiasm.
If you would like a copy of the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce Strategic Plan, call (802) 496-3409 or email
Sharry is a member of the chamber board. This is the first of a series of submissions from the chamber explaining its new strategic plan. The next piece will focus on The Valley’s competitive advantages including authentic community; independently and cooperatively owned ski areas; abundant, year-round, off-mountain activities; and The Valley’s many secret treasures.
