Experiencing Vermont's Northeast Kingdom like a local

This August we were thrilled to host our second-annual Keys to the Kingdom, an event centered on helping those considering a move to Vermont to discover what life in the NEK could look like for them.

The event is one part of a greater NEK Chamber initiative to support state-wide relocation and retention efforts, all built on the foundation that community and authenticity are among our region's greatest assets.

Rather than "sell" prospective new-Vermonters on the idea from afar, we invited those curious enough to make the trip, to visit for a semi-curated weekend of community-building and exploration.

On Friday night, our guests checked into their rooms at Burke Mountain Hotel and joined community members down at the hotel's Willoughby room for dinner, drinks, and a game of trivia.

Saturday started out with breakfast in Island Pond, leading up to our crowd-favorite: a cruise along Lake Memphremagog aboard the Northern Star!

Finally, on Sunday, we brought things back home to Burke Mountain for a send-off brunch; one last chance to make connections and wrap-up conversations before our guests hit the road.

At every step of the weekend, participants were able to meet a rotating cast of locals (both long-time and recently-moved) to make connections, ask questions, and learn what daily life is truly like in the Northeast Kingdom.

When asked if they were still interested in moving to Vermont after the experience, one participant said, "We are very seriously considering it, more than before Keys to the Kingdom!"

Thank you to all of the partners who came together to make this event possible, and to the many community members who showed up to celebrate this little region we're so lucky to share. It's your spirit, enthusiasm, and yes, authenticity, that makes the NEK so special.

Keys to the Kingdom will return next year, so stay tuned for future dates and details. In the meantime, if you know anyone looking to move or who's recently moved to Vermont, please invite them to connect with a local or to join the NEK Welcome Wagon whose year-round programming offers endless opportunities to make connections and build that sense of community that truly makes the NEK feel like home.