Registration Open for Vermont’s “Best Business Networking Event”

– 325+ Expected to Attend VBSR’s 27th Annual Spring Conference on May 17 –

Burlington, VT – The readers of Vermont Business Magazine have spoken: Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) has been awarded Vermont’s “Best Business Networking Event” for their Annual Spring Conference. Registration is now open for VBSR’s 27th Annual Spring Conference: The Road Forward, and the organization is inviting the business community to attend the event and experience firsthand why it’s been given this prestigious award. The event is open to the public and will be held May 17th, from 7:30 to 5:00 PM in Burlington.

“When we heard that the conference was being recognized with this Best of Business Award, we were ecstatic,” says Jane Campbell, VBSR’s Executive Director. “VBSR was started by a handful of business leaders who believed that business could be done differently. Now, nearly 30 years later, VBSR is one of Vermont’s largest business groups, with more than 750 members, a respected voice in the State House, and a robust offering of programs and benefits. This award is one more piece of evidence that proves that doing business differently isn’t just good for the environment and employees, but it’s good for business, and for Vermont.”

Campbell noted that VBSR’s annual spring conference has broken attendance records two years in a row, and that the organization is again expecting more than 325 attendees. Vermont’s business, policy, education, and nonprofit communities typically attend the daylong business conference, which is held at the LEED Certified Davis Center at the University of Vermont in Burlington.

Attendees will choose from 15 workshops designed to teach new ways to integrate social responsibility into organizations, provide a platform for public policy conversations, and network with other professionals committed to running an organization in a way that values not only financial success, but also the well-being of employees, the environment, and the community.

Participants will also have the chance to visit with more than 40 exhibitors over five networking breaks, enjoy a locally-sourced meal thanks to Localvore Underwriter Vermont Creamery, and hear a keynote by Jason Haber, recent author of The Business of Good, a widely praised book on social entrepreneurship.

Registration on or before May 5th is $150 for VBSR members, $200 for nonmembers, and $45 for full-time students and state officials. Online registration, carpools, food and lodging information, a complete conference agenda, and workshop details can be found at www.vbsr.org.

VBSR’s 27th Annual Spring Conference is generously underwritten by: Conference Localvore Underwriter Vermont Creamery, as well as: Bia DiagnosticsCabot Creamery CooperativeCity Market; Energy Independent Vermont; Gallagher, Flynn & Company; Let’s Grow Kids!; Marketing Partners; Merritt & Merritt; National Life Group; The University of Vermont Continuing and Distance Education; The University of Vermont Medical CenterVermont Business MagazineVermont DiggerVermont Economic Development Authority; Vermont Energy Investment Corporation; and Vermont Public Radio.

Sponsors include: A. N. Deringer, Inc.; Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Black River Produce; Burton Snowboards; Business Culture Consultants; Career Networks; Casella Resource Solutions; Champlain College; Chroma Technology; Concept2;Dealer.com; Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC; Downstreet Housing and Community Development; Dunkiel Saunders Elliott Raubvogel & Hand; Engineering Ventures; Fairpoint Communication; Fuse; Hubbardton Forge; Ivy Computer Inc.; KeyBank; McKenzie Country Classics; Merchants Bank; Middlebury College; Northeast Delta Dental; Northeast Kingdom Community Action; Northfield Savings Bank; Small Dog Electronics; Sovernet Communications; The Alchemist; The Farmhouse Group; TruexCullins Architecture + Interior Design; Union Mutual; University of Vermont; Vermont PBS.

Carpooling is encouraged!