The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets’ Trade Show Assistance Grants provide Vermont agricultural and forestry businesses with funds to exhibit and sell their Vermont products at trade shows targeting out-of-state buyers.
Donor Name: Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets (VAAFM)
State: Vermont
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Matching Grants | Grant
Deadline: 01/15/2024
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
These matching grants can partially offset the expenses associated with exhibiting at trade shows, which provide excellent opportunities to network with wholesale buyers and expand into new domestic and international markets.
Funding Information
The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative has set aside $50,000 to support Vermont businesses to execute their yearly tradeshow marketing plans. Applications will be reviewed through a competitive process. Eligibility does not guarantee funding will be awarded.
Grantees are required to contribute 50% of costs included in the reimbursement request. For example, if the grantee incurred a total of $3,000 in eligible expenses at a trade show, their contribution would be $1,500. Reimbursement will be provided directly to Vermont businesses for marketing materials and exhibiting at eligible events.
- Minimum grant amount: $2,000
- Maximum grant amount: $5,000
Grant Period
Grants will be awarded for shows taking place between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025.
Eligibility Criteria
Vermont-based agricultural and forestry businesses that meet the following criteria are eligible to receive funds through this grant:
- Business is registered with the Vermont Secretary of State and has been in business for over one year
- Business or its headquarters are located within Vermont
- Business has three or more wholesale accounts
- Business’ products meet the Vermont Local Definition as defined in Act 129.
Eligible Proposals
Eligible proposals must assert that:
- Proposed trade show(s) target out-of-state buyers. Typically, trade shows based in Vermont would not be eligible. However, there are exceptions in which regional, or even international trade shows happen to be held here. These shows are eligible if they meet the other requirements in this RFA. Please contact the grant program manager with questions.
- Applicant has previously attended trade show no more than 4 times. This grant will fund up to 5 years of attendance at a single trade show.
- The proposed budget demonstrates a minimum of a 1:1 cash match contribution. This grant will reimburse eligible costs for each trade show up to 50%.
- Proposed trade show is in the business to business (wholesale) format. Direct to consumer shows are not eligible for TSAG funding.
- Funding will be used for the following approved expenses:
For more information, visit VAAFM.
