Economy summit coming to Grand Summit in May
Registration is now open for the ninth annual Southern Vermont Economy Summit. This annual learning and networking event will be held on Tuesday, May 12, at Mount Snow's Grand Summit hotel. Registration information and a full schedule of the day’s events can be found at www.sovermontzone.com/summit. Early bird pricing extends through Thursday, March 12.
The theme of the 2026 summit is “Envision. Act. Grow!” Throughout the day, presentations, panels, workshops, and discussions will investigate ways that the region can envision a path to growth through local and regional action.
Opening the day is keynote speaker Sarah Waring, executive director of the Northern Border regional commission. Waring will discuss the important role that federal agencies play in supporting economic and community development in rural communities. Waring will also explore the importance of having a regional perspective and how community leaders can continue to envision and work toward growth for the region in an economic and funding environment marked by instability and change.
Following the keynote, summit attendees can choose from more than 15 breakout sessions and interactive workshops. Community, municipal, and business leaders will find a range of engaging sessions, with topics that include examining the impact of AI on rural economic development, leadership succession and shared leadership models for organizations of all sizes, and a panel showcasing how new tools like scenario planning can help communities achieve clarity and direction.
The day wraps up with small group roundtables, discussions, and information sessions designed to help attendees act on all they have learned and connect with resources and networks. This will include the opportunity to connect one-on-one with regional business support professionals, the Vermont League of Cities and Towns municipal operations support team, and more.
The summit is the flagship event of BDCC’s Southern Vermont economy project, which helps build capacity, expertise, and shared resources across the southern Vermont economic development zone. It is the year’s best opportunity for southern Vermont’s leaders to connect with peers, listen to experts, ask questions, and learn effective ways of dealing with the myriad economic challenges faced by the region. The event is co-hosted by BDCC, Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies, and the Bennington County Regional Commission.
