About us
Our Mission: The Vermont Tourism Alliance (VTA) is a statewide organization created to strengthen and improve Vermont’s tourism industry. The purpose of the Vermont Tourism Alliance (VTA) is to offer education and training to those engaged in the visitor economy in Vermont, as well as to promote and advocate for the Vermont travel and tourism industry.
Our Roots: Robert Townsend and Mal Bevins, of University of Vermont Extension, initiated the first Vermont Travel Industry Conference (VTIC) in 1983. The purpose of that half-day session was to provide members of the tourism industry with information and research data available through the University. Seven years later, VTIC gained its non-profit status, becoming VTIC, Inc. In 2015, The Vermont Travel Industry Conference, Inc. (VTIC) Board of Directors voted unanimously to change the annual conference name to the Vermont Tourism Summit. In 2025 the Vermont Tourism Summit Board of Directors were presented with the opportunity for the non-profit to expand its role to provide additional services in tourism education and advocacy for the industry. After officially voting to embrace this new initiative, the Vermont Tourism Alliance was eventually created and formally launched at the Vermont Tourism Summit in 2026.
What We Do: VTA meets its mandate in two very specific ways. The first is through educational opportunities, including an annual conference, which is designed every year by a Planning Committee and chaired by the Executive Director (contracted staff position). VTA will also conduct two smaller regional education and networking events per year, one in the summer and one in the winter.
Second, VTA offers help to promote and advocate for Vermont’s travel and tourism industry. The Alliance will convene tourism organizations within the state together, to focus on common causes that help to drive the visitor economy forward. By working together as an economic sector, rather than disparate industries, we can better support the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing’s efforts to amplify Vermont's authentic experiences and brand.
board of directors
Kim Jackson
Chair
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports
Brian Maggiato
Vice Chair
Vermont Lodging Association
Molly Mahar
Treasurer
Vermont Ski Areas Association
Kenzie Brunner
Secretary
Stowe Trails Partnership
Emma Arian
Vermont Brewers Association
Cindy Delaney
Delaney Event Management
Jeff Lawson
Hello Burlington
Susan Evans McClure
Vermont Arts Council
Heather Pelham
Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing
Jeff Wise
Vermont Chamber of Commerce
Kelsey VanDerLinn
ECHO
Jeff Bartley
Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport
staff
Lori Harnois
Executive Director
Delaney Event Management
Executive Director
Delaney Event Management
contact us
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For questions about the Vermont Tourism Alliance and our hosted events, please contact Delaney Event Management:
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