‘Holidays In The Shires’ Campaign markets region for the holiday season

The Dorset Union Store ready for the holiday season. Pictures provided by the Southwestern Vermont Chamber.

Vermont Business Magazine The Shires of Southwestern Vermont Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), under The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, invites residents and travelers to come enjoy “Holidays in The Shires” this holiday season.  

The campaign, centered around the various events from November through December encourages patrons to shop, dine, craft, recreate and have family fun throughout the region. On the main page the description reads, “The Official Holiday Calendar of The Shires.”

“We’ve created a landing page with an interactive, dynamic calendar of holiday events that anyone can go to and see what peaks their interest this holiday season,” says Matt Harrington, executive director of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber.  “We encourage our local businesses, nonprofits and community members throughout the region to easily upload their event for free so that we can showcase it to interested participants. We will then promote the event and drive digital viewers to the calendar.  The calendar is already populated with dozens of events including Thanksgiving dinners and baked goods from area restaurants, kids activities at cultural institutions, holiday craft fairs, tree lightings and lighted parades, holiday sales and more!  We’re just looking to get the word out in an easy and simple way for the most amount of participation!”

The program is funded by The Shires of Southwestern Vermont DMO. 

Holiday decor adorne a small shop in The Shires of Southwestern Vermont

A family walks the streets of Manchester during the holiday season

Local shops prepare for a busy holiday season

Harrington said, “The Chamber, over the course of the pandemic, reorganized the destination marketing organization well known for its work around the regional brand of The Shires of Southwestern Vermont. Originally, it was made up of a volunteer board of stakeholders interested in marketing the region, as well as the Manchester Chamber and the Bennington Chamber. With the absence of the Manchester Chamber and retiring stakeholders over the years, the Southwestern Vermont Chamber has worked to turn the organization into a 501c3 nonprofit and uses the rack distribution program throughout the region and advertisers to continue to fund the organization’s efforts around marketing the region to travelers and residents. Currently, the organization is governed by the Chamber along with the Manchester Business Association and the Better Bennington Corporation but is open to all residents and stakeholders of the region. The organization’s mission continues to be to use the combined energies and assets of the North and South Shires of Bennington County, to promote entrepreneurial spirit and to support the cultural, scenic, environmental, agricultural, historic, and recreational assets of the entire Shires region.”

Organizations and individuals looking to promote their public holiday event, sale, cause or promotional are encouraged to upload their events here: https://exploretheshires.com/holidaysintheshires  

The Holidays in The Shires campaign will be promoted using social media, digital advertising and local media and will conclude after New Year’s Day.