SWVT Chamber’s Small Business Education Center
As a regional chamber we believe in continuous learning and growth for our members. We work local business leaders and national speakers to provide just-in-time, always-relevant education and resources for our members.
The 2024 Year of Programs Sponsored by:
SPECIAL SMALL BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE: Retail Theft and Small Business Safety
Date: Monday January 29, 2024
Time: 8:00am - 9:30am
Location: The Arlington Common (3938 Vermont Rte 7a, Arlington, VT)
Overview: Join us for an insightful Small Business Roundtable, hosted by the Southwestern Vermont Chamber, Better Bennington Corporation, and the Manchester Business Association. This collaborative event aims to address the pressing issue of retail theft and explore various safety concerns affecting businesses in Southwestern Vermont.
This Small Business Roundtable promises to be an invaluable opportunity for local businesses to come together, share experiences, and collaboratively work towards creating a safer and more secure retail environment in Southwestern Vermont. Don't miss this chance to be part of the solution and strengthen our local business community.
(POSTPONED) Coffee & Conversations: Retail Industry
Date: POSTPONED - NEW DATE TBD
Time: 8:00am - 9:30am
Location: TBD
Overview: Join us for an exclusive gathering dedicated to the art of Coffee and Conversation! This unique member-only event is designed to provide an informal platform for individuals within a specialized sector to engage in open discussions, share insights, and foster meaningful connections.
Coffee & Conversations: Hospitality & Cultural Industry
Date: Wednesday March 6, 2024
Time: 8:00am - 9:30am
Location: The Angry Egg 2 (467 Main St, Bennington, VT)
Overview: Join us for an exclusive gathering dedicated to the art of Coffee and Conversation! Our host for this month's C & C is The Angry Egg 2. This unique member-only event is designed to provide an informal platform for individuals within a specialized sector to engage in open discussions, share insights, and foster meaningful connections.
Unlocking Success - Enhancing Emotional Intelligence for Exceptional Staff and Customer Relationships
Date: Wednesday April 10, 2024
Time: 9:00am - 11:00am
Location: The Arlington Common (3938 Vermont Rte 7a, Arlington, VT)
Overview: The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce is excited to have Lisa Rees a discussion on emotional intelligence for you and your staff! this discussion.
Lisa Rees is the Owner of LTR Leadership. Lisa's innovative approach to Emotional Intelligence (EI) helps individuals to understand that all emotions can be helpful. Learning to embrace and leverage them to reach your goal, is the objective. This deep dive seminar into enhancing emotional intelligence, allows participants to learn how to Map Emotions, Match Emotions, understand the Meaning of Emotions and Move Emotions. This ability model of emotional intelligence is an intelligence and these are hard—not soft—skills.
All participants will receive a complimentary copy of A Leader’s Guide to Solving Challenges with Emotional Intelligence as a resource for future learning. For more information on the topic and speaker visit www.ltrleadership.com. Reserve your spot today. Seating is limited!
$40 + Complimentary Book - Chamber Members
$60 + Complimentary Book - Non-Chamber Members
Coffee & Conversations: Service Industry
(Finance, health care, law, HR, insurance, media, real estate, other professionals and consultants)
Date: Wednesday May 8, 2024
Time: 8:00am - 9:30am
Location: Charlie’s Coffee House (39 Bonnet St, Manchester Center, VT)
Overview: This month's Coffee and Conversation Sponsor is Charlie’s Coffee House. At Coffee and Conversation, participants will have the opportunity to engage in free-flowing discussions covering a wide array of topics relevant to their sector. Whether it's addressing prevalent issues, celebrating successes, or simply sharing experiences, this event aims to create an environment conducive to open dialogue and camaraderie.
Lunch & Learn: How can Organizations Foster an Inclusive Workplace
Date: Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Time: 12:00pm - 1pm
Location: CAT-TV Studio and Online
Overview: Join us either in studio or online for a Lunch & Learn focused on current Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) trends, challenges and insight!
Coffee & Conversations: Nonprofit Industry
(Nonprofits, membership organizations, associations, faith-based and community organizations)
Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Time: 8:00am - 9:30am
Location: The Coffee Bar (109 South Street, Bennington, VT)
Overview: This month's Coffee and Conversation Sponsor is The Coffee Bar. At Coffee and Conversation, participants will have the opportunity to engage in free-flowing discussions covering a wide array of topics relevant to their sector. Whether it's addressing prevalent issues, celebrating successes, or simply sharing experiences, this event aims to create an environment conducive to open dialogue and camaraderie.
MEMBERSHIP 101 Class
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Time: 8:00am - 9:30am
Location: The Chamber (100 Veterans Memorial Drive, Bennington, VT)
Overview: Whether you are a brand new member to the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce or a seasoned pro, you are encouraged to attend Membership 101. We will review all of your member benefits and teach you how to get the most out of your investment. We will focus on utilizing your Membership Profile as a powerful tool to promote you business.
Lunch & Learn: Healthcare 2025
Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Time: 12:00pm - 1pm
Location: CAT-TV Studio and Online
Overview: Join us either in studio or online for a Lunch & Learn focused on the forecast for health care, dental and vision rates for 2025.
Don’t forget to check out our Other Programming:
Past Programming
Power of Storytelling in Marketing (7/19/23)
Using Canva for Your Small Business (4/12/23)
Lunch and Learn: SWVT Chamber Retirement Program (5/18/22)
SWVT Chamber’s Membership 101 Workshop (2/23/22)
L&L: 2022 Health Care, Dental and Vision updates (11/10/21)
Spring Marketing Cleaning: How To Manage Top Review and Ranking Sites for Your Small Business (3/22/22)
C&C: Strategic Planning Tips, Tricks and Treats (10/20/21)
L&L: Duct Tape, Shoe-String Marketing for Small Businesses (5/12/21)
L&L: Employee Roulette - How To Find and Strengthen Your Workforce (4/28/21)
Money Talks Part 2 - Small Business Investing (3/24/21)
Money Talks: Small Business Accounting (2/10/21)
L&L: Healthcare Overview for 2021 (11/4/20)
L&L: Building a One Page Strategy Plan For Your Business (5/20/20)
L&L: Workforce Trends and Initiatives (3/4/20)
Lunch and Learn: Changes On How We Deal With Our Solid Waste As Small Businesses (1/29/20)