VT Agency of Ag Now Accepting Vendor Applications for 2016 Eastern States Expo (“Big E”)

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) is now accepting proposals from Vermont businesses and organizations for vending and exhibiting space in the Vermont Building at the 2016 Eastern States Exposition (“The Big E”) in West Springfield, Massachusetts.  The 2016 fair dates are September 16^th – October 2^nd. Approximately 1 million patrons passed through the Vermont Building during the 2015 Big E, spending nearly $1.7 million on Vermont products.  Learn more about the Big E on their website: www.thebige.com/

“The Vermont Building at The Big E, part of the Agency’s Domestic Export Program, is a unique opportunity for Vermont businesses to connect with consumers throughout the region,” said Secretary Chuck Ross. “More than one million shoppers visit the Vermont Building each year, providing vendors with a tremendous sales opportunity, as well as the chance to create lasting connections with customers interested in high-quality, authentic Vermont products.”

The Big E is located in The Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and is billed as “New England’s Great State Fair.”  This year, The Eastern States Exposition will celebrate its centennial anniversary.   Founded in 1916 by Joshua Brooks, The Big E is the largest agricultural event on the eastern seaboard and the fifth-largest fair in the nation. The Big E is inclusive of all six of the New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Each of the New England states is prominently represented at the fair in its own building, located along the “Avenue of the States.” 

The 2015 Vermont vendors at The Big E included Ben and Jerry’s, American Flatbread, Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association, Cold Hollow Cider, Champlain Orchards, Danforth Pewter, Vermont Teddy Bear Company, and Vermont Flannel, among others.  The application deadline for 2016 is Monday, January 25th by 5 p.m. Vendors will be chosen in a competitive process and reviewed by an independent committee.

Watch this video to learn more about the Vermont Building at the Big E, and the benefits of becoming a vendor: youtu.be/lVlwfsxAAnc

To apply for exhibition space in The Vermont Building at The Big E, visit: www.vermontbidsystem.com/BidPreview.aspx?BidID=9538

For more information, please contact Reg Godin, Senior Market Development Specialist at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets at 802-522-3648 or reg.godin@state.vt.us.