Vermont Wood Products Marketing Council

Connecting members of the Vermont wood products industry and promoting the Vermont quality wood products brand

Vermont Wood Products

Design Competition Winners

See the complete list by all nine categories

HERE

Furniture Vermont-Style

Vermont's ample stock of hardwood trees and skilled craftspeople, designers and entrepreneurs has put it in the forefront of a distinctive kind of furniture made in the Vermont style. Find out the stories behind some of Vermont's furniture makers and see some of their beautiful work in the new Spring issue of Vermont Life magazine, now available at bookstores and on newsstands. Read the text of the story here.

Council Mission

To promote the quality and craftsmanship of Vermont wood products, so that residents and nonresidents may increase their awareness of the outstanding design of the products, the environmental sensitivity of the manufacturers, and their commitment to customer satisfaction.

Background

In December 2002, the Vermont Department of Economic Development formed a Vermont Wood Products Marketing Council. Members of the industry and representatives of several industry trade associations were appointed to serve on the Council by the Department. In July 2003, the Council incorporated as a Vermont non-profit; and in December 2003, the Council ratified bylaws.

The Council's role is to help guide the development and use of the Vermont wood brand and to plan and implement related awareness building activities with the public and the industry.

Vermont Wood Products Marketing Council Bylaws (22kb file in PDF format)

The Council is recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt (501(c)(3)) corporation, organized for educational purposes.

Marketing Council Board of Directors

The Vermont Wood Products Marketing Council is made up of representatives of the Guild of Vermont Furniture Makers, Vermont Department of Economic Development, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation, Vermont Forests Products Association, Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association, Vermont WoodNet, and three directors appointed by the other directors.

Vermont quality wood products brand promotion underway

Jeff Parsons, co-owner Beeken/Parsons, and Mary Jeanne Packer, Executive Director Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association, at the State House following the Vermont Quality Wood Products Press Conference with Governor Douglas.

The Vermont Wood Products Marketing Council presented the new Vermont Quality Wood Products Brand at a Press Conference at the Statehouse, January 8. The Brand was developed using a special appropriation from the Legislature with support from the Department of Economic Development and members of the state's wood products industry. The Brand celebrates and capitalizes on Vermont's reputation in the marketplace for quality workmanship, integrity, customer service, tradition, stewardship, and innovative design.

Marketing Council in the news

State promoting Vermont wood products brand

By DARREN M. ALLEN Vermont Press Bureau, November 2, 2003, Times Argus and Rutland Herald

"Hear that something is made in Vermont, and chances are what comes to mind are sharp cheddar cheese, dense and fattening ice cream and pure maple syrup. The state's lumber workers, mill owners and furniture makers want to add wood products to that list. As part of a marketing campaign begun quietly a little over a month ago, the Vermont Wood Products Marketing Council is aiming to showcase the quality and innovation of wood in much the same way that agriculture officials have for years been touting the products of the state's 250 specialty food companies." MORE

PowerPoint presentation on the Vermont Wood Brand presented by Glenn Ravdin at the Sept. 26, 2003 Industry-wide Symposium (806kb file)

Action Plan for Marketing Promotions

July 1, 2003 - June 30, 2004

• Collateral materials such as a general Vermont quality wood products brochure and an informational poster which could be distributed at visitor centers, showrooms, and other locations.

• Logo and brand position statements for use by participating companies on their products, in their print materials, websites, and other applications.

Want to use this logo on your company's products and in your promotions? Download usage application form here.

Vermont wood brand usage guidelines and style manual . Download (362kb PDF file).

Registered users sign in here to download logos

• Stickers and labels for purchase by participating companies for use on their packaging and other applications.

• Website (vermontwood.org) that promotes the qualities of Vermont wood and includes a listing of participating companies and their offerings; and provides links to the companies' websites.

• Media relations including developing stories about Vermont wood products and the people who make them; and pitching these ideas to writers and editorial boards in key markets. Also, the Council will prepare and distribute PSA's to raise awareness.

• Demonstrations of wood working at visitor centers and at other places where tourists are gathered. Woodworkers will be encouraged to participate through a mini grant program that will provide a stipend or supplies/materials to them; and also through technical assistance.

• Work with the Governor's office to obtain a proclamation of Vermont Wood Products Month.

• Showcase for Vermont wood products and design competition including products made from low-grade wood grown in Vermont, to stimulate and reward a history and future of superior design developed and executed by Vermont woodworkers, and to draw focused attention to the innovative design and enduring quality of Vermont wood products. This will be an opportunity to bring together the resource end of the industry, the producers that convert the resource into products, and design professional sectors.

Questions: Mary Jeanne Packer, Council Secretary mjpacker@vermontwood.com or 802 287 4284

Last updated: April 20, 2004