MONTPELIER, Vt. – The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, a division of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, announced two new hires. Nate Formalarie has been named Communications Director and Sara DeFilippi has been named Sales and Marketing Specialist. Both will work to further the department’s mission of promoting Vermont’s travel, recreation, cultural and historic attractions to national and international audiences, as well as contribute to the agency’s work in growing the State’s economy.
“Nate and Sara are experienced marketers and communication professionals whose background and skills will deepen the expertise of the agency in promoting Vermont as a tourism destination and place to live and work,” said Wendy Knight, Commissioner of Tourism and Marketing. “We are excited to strengthen the capacity of the agency to market Vermont to visitors, future residents, and businesses.”
As Communications Director for the agency, Formalarie will be responsible for media relations, social media marketing, and content development. He will be an integral part of the tourism marketing team that attracts over 13 million visitors each year. Formalarie was previously a news producer for WCAX-TV, Communications Manager for Woodchuck Hard Cider, and Communications Manager for Cabot Creamery Co-operative. He is a graduate of St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vt.
DeFilippi leads the department’s international and group travel marketing. For the past seven years, she has been the Assistant Director for Partner Relations at St. John's University in Queens, N.Y. where she was responsible for recruiting students to study at St. John’s centers in Rome, Paris, and Limerick, Ireland. DeFilippi graduated from Pace University and has a master’s degree in Liberal Studies, with a concentration in Women & Gender Studies, from St. John's University.
The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing has also retained the services of international tourism consultant Shoko Hirao, who will represent Vermont in the Japanese and South Korean markets.
“Japan and South Korea represent an increasingly important sector of the international market,” said Commissioner Knight. “Asian travelers are looking for experiences in outdoor recreation, farm stays, and regional food. Vermont is well positioned to take advantage of those interests."
Hirao, a consultant based in Stowe with offices in Japan, will represent VDTM at international trade shows and lead international press visits to Vermont. Hirao will also work with South Korean tour operators to sell Vermont as a destination for passengers on Korean Air’s new Seoul to Boston flight, which begins service in April of 2019.
About the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing
The Department of Tourism and Marketing promotes Vermont’s travel, recreation, cultural and historic attractions, as well as the state’s goods and services, in coordination with public and private sector partners. The department also works to market to a global audience in a manner consistent with the values and traditions of the state for the economic benefit of all Vermonters. Vermont’s tourism sector supports 33,000 local jobs and contributes $2.8 billion in economic activity each year, which accounts for 10% of the state’s Gross Domestic Product. VermontVacation.com.
About the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s (ACCD) mission is to help Vermonters improve their quality of life and build strong communities. ACCD accomplishes this mission by providing grants, technical assistance, and advocacy through three divisions: The Department of Economic Development, the Department of Tourism and Marketing, and the Department of Housing and Community Development. For more information on ACCD please visit: accd.vermont.gov.