WELCOME TO THE VERMONT RETAIL ASSOCIATION!

TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013 Holiday Inn 1068 Williston Rd, South Burlington, VT                                                         9:00am - 12:00pm (coffee and registration at 8:30am)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 Holiday Inn Route 7 South, 476 Holiday Drive Rutland, VT                                                         9:00am - 12:00pm (coffee and registration at 8:30am)

You will learn about:

•  How Vermont Health Connect will work in Vermont
• The new rules for individuals, families and small businesses under 50 regarding health insurance in 2014
• The product choices on Vermont Health Connect
• An overview of subsidies that may be available to individuals and families to help pay for insurance
• Understand the immediate impacts of Vermont's Health Exchange "Vermont Health Connect",  and the decisions you will need to make next year.

Important Regulatory Update

Learn about laws approved this year that businesses need to comply with, including:

• Equal pay act and flex time provision
• Alcohol sales
• Employer health care assessment for uncovered employees
• How the gas tax will be calculated
• License fee changes
• Vermont Sales Tax Primer with Jeff Dooley, Vermont Tax Dept.
•  And more

Do you know how your store is performing?  Am I wasting energy and spilling profits?   Efficiency Vermont will help you find out.

 If you have any questions, contact

Coleen at (802) 839-1931 or

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We have new Acadia Business Owner's/Worker's Comp Insurance!  Here's what one member had to say about their recent switch: 

 “Our business switched to VRA’s insurance program with Acadia.   The VRA saved us $2,100 annually and we’ve got better insurance coverage in some areas.  This is a great program for businesses and Aunt Sadie’s is happy to be a part of this program.”

Gary Briggs, Aunt Sadies Inc.

WHY SHOULD I JOIN VRA?

Becoming a member of the Vermont Retail Association (VRA) can be one of the best decisions and investments you can make for your business.

Why become a member?

For more than four decades, the Vermont Retail Association (VRA) has been the only association championing the interests of Vermont’s retail industry. By joining VRA you gain access to exclusive, money saving discounts on services and benefit programs, advocacy and a voice in retail legislation, as well as valuable insight into what is happen both locally and nationally in retail.  We help you grow and protect your business, promote the retail industry and save your business money.

Advocacy:  You can’t be at the Statehouse every day - but we can!  When the legislature is in session, we give testimony, monitor bills, and meet frequently with key lawmakers and members of the Governor’s office.  VRA’s Executive Director, Tasha Wallis is at the state house each day representing your concerns and opinions. Similarly, if we know of new upcoming legislation that will affect our members’ businesses, we can let you know right away!  In recent years, we’ve been instrumental in swipe fee reform, sales tax issues and Sales Tax Holidays to name just three. Click here to learn more.

Networking:  VRA offers business webinars, special events and programs each year where you can find marketing and networking opportunities, meet local business and government leaders, and stay up-to-date on economic issues affecting your business and the region.  

Insurance benefits:  VRA members receive money saving discounts through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont for health insurance (Click here to learn more) and Northeast Delta Dental for dental insurance.  They also offer a vision discount program if you are a Delta Dental member. (Click here to learn more.)  Along with these offerings is a members-only Property and Casualty insurance program with Acadia including Worker’s Compensation, Auto and Umbrella lines of business.   

Credit Card Processing:  We know businesses are bombarded by credit card processing “deals.”  Our retail association provider, who only provides service to association members, guarantees they can save your business money or will reward you with $100!  This is a stable and outstanding alternative to the sales people knocking on your door to offer spurious discounts.  Click here to learn more.

National Retail Federation membership included free:  When you are an active member of VRA, you automatically receive free membership in the National Retail Federation (www.nrf.com) NRF provides you with a wide array of resources and tools to navigate the current retail landscape.

Member-only discounts: VRA offers other exclusive cost savings to our members. Click here to learn more.

 Join VRA today!

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One - and only one - organization in Vermont is solely dedicated to the retail community: the Vermont Retail Association (VRA).  For retail advocacy, networking and key information, VRA is your go-to source.

VRA has been a hugely successful advocate for Vermont Retailers.  In classic David and Goliath fashion, VRA took on the big credit card companies - and won! This produced the nation’s first state credit card law and led the national charge for reform. VRA helped shift the power balance between retailers and credit card companies. 

VRA also championed several sales tax holidays. It influences legislation on employment law, consumer protection, product safety, unemployment insurance, workers compensation and other issues critical to retail businesses. VRA is not an organization of "left" or "right".  Run by Vermonters for Vermonters, its unique goal is helping Vermont business do business better.

VRA is your best information source, bar none. All members receive weekly updates on legislative happenings. VRA sponsors events bringing members and key decision makers together. VRA members receive free membership in the National Retail Federation (NRF), an incredible value.  In fact, VRA members pay far less for their VRA membership, with all its benefits, than they would pay to join the NRF directly. The NRF provides daily reports on national retail news, in-depth studies of best practices, trends and outstanding economic analyses.

VRA partners with leading experts and service providers to offer you exclusive benefits. Efficiency Vermont helps members save energy and money. Members are entitled to free marketing consultations with Jim Tabor of Gillen Tabor Communications, Inc. - a service normally costing $1000.  VRA also offers special shipping deals and teams with retail organizations from other states to provide affordable, stable credit card processing without the extra fees that other companies might include.

Executive Director Tasha Wallis has over 15 years’ experience working with and in the highest levels of state government. She welcomes the opportunity to explain why so many retail leaders consider membership in VRA-- influential, mutually supportive, and cutting edge--essential for success. 

Call her today at (802) 839-1931.