Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports was among 22 organizations that received grants from the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM) through its tourism and economic recovery marketing grant program.
Vermont Adaptive received funding to produce video and photography content that highlights accessible adventures and outdoor recreation in the Mad River Valley, Killington/Rutland region and on the Burlington waterfront and bike path.
Nearly $600,000 was awarded in total through the grant program, which was developed to aid economic recovery by supporting regional efforts to increase visitation and tourism-related activities. The grants are intended to enable local, regional, or statewide organizations to implement campaigns and initiatives that increase consumer spending, support local businesses, and advance community recovery efforts in the tourism sector.
“As the tourism sector continues its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, having resources to attract and invite visitors back to every corner of the state is critical,” said VDTM Commissioner Heather Pelham. “The variety of projects and initiatives these grants will support illustrates both the breadth of tourism opportunities around the state and the unique character each community has to offer. We look forward to seeing all of these creative projects come to life.”
In awarding funds, priority was given to projects that have the potential for long-term transformational impacts; campaigns that reach underrepresented and new and diverse communities of visitors; and projects that create assets that will live on beyond the life of the grant term. To increase regional and statewide collaboration, new creative assets developed with this grant funding will be shared with VDTM for additional amplification and brand reach.
Awarded grant projects fell into five primary categories: arts and culture events; development of creative assets and targeted marketing; digital and/or website upgrades; festivals; and itineraries and/or mapping projects.
“We are very excited to see the strong regional partnerships that have come together to make these collaborative projects successful,” said Pelham. “These partnerships will ensure that the Vermont tourism industry is more resilient now and into the future.”
All projects must be completed by March 1, 2023.
