Monday, March 07, 2011

U.S. Senate panel to hold hearing on Vermont Branding

Vermont has been marketing itself as "the beckoning country." The Vermont Brand promotes maple trees, high-quality food products, and an enviable way of life with clean air, trout streams, and unspoiled forests.

Made In Vermont stands for quality of goods and foods - from Maple syrup to cheddar cheese. Protecting Vermont Brand has long been a top priority for Vermont’s state officials.

Other (out of state) companies try to leverage the Vermont Brand; McDonald's restaurants promoted maple flavored oatmeal much to their peril.

Vermont is defending its brand – even at Federal level. Thanks to Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee will come to Vermont for a hearing. It will hear testimony to find ways to protect and promote Vermont’s unique brand. Leahy is the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and set the hearing, titled “Strategies to Protect and Promote Vermont Brands".

The Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear testimony from representatives from the Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association, Cabot Creamery, and state Commerce Secretary Larry Miller among others.

Stay tuned to find out if Vermont will be able to protect its brand.