Press Room

June 2018

The three most important things for you to know.

  1. There are still spots available to exhibit with MOB at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver on July 23-26! Questions? Want insider tips? Follow our upcoming series! See the first installment, “OR Tips from Buyers,” below or email Brian Threlkeld, brian@maineoutdoorbrands.com
  2. Sponsorship opportunity! Exhibit at the Teens to Trails L.L. Bean’s Life Happens Outside Festival on Friday August 17 and Saturday August 18. (Bonus: MOB members get 10% off the exhibition fee!) Email festival@teenstotrails.org for more info or to sign up.
  3. Be sure to keep liking, following, and sharing MOB on Facebook and Instagram! If you have any exciting news about your brands and want us to share, email Isabel at isabel@maineoutdoorbrands.com.

 

Mark your calendar for these can’t miss events.
July 23 – 26
Outdoor Retailer (Summer Show)
Denver, CO
Exhibit with MOB and save!

August 17-18
Life Happens Outside Festival
Freeport, ME
Exhibit with MOB and save!

(Jim Hauptman, Blaze Partners)

Earlier this month, MOB was well represented at the OutDoor Show, in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The MOB booth, paid in part by the Maine International Trade Center and the Maine Department of Community and Economic Development, allowed Good To-Go, Flowfold, Sea Bags and Blaze Partners to showcase their products and services to the European market. All participating brands were aided by US Commercial Services, in Munich. A team there helped with matchmaking services and (very) insightful, boots on the ground guidance.

While attendance at the show felt light at times compared to Outdoor Retailer, the spectacular setting did not disappoint. In true MOB form, the booth — which looked awesome — was the amalgamation of tables, chairs and carpet from a nearby Ikea. (Yes, the Swedish meatballs there are the same as the ones in Stoughton, MA!) In fact, the MOB booth was right around the corner from the Utah and Oregon booths. Small world. All brands participating reported strong interest in their products/services and several opened new accounts.

Regrettably, the OutDoor Show will be moving to Munich next year for many of the same reasons OR moved from Salt Lake City to Denver — more hotel rooms and greater global accessibility. Between the various grants, this was an extremely affordable opportunity. If you have interest in participating next year, reach out to Isabel Friedman at isabel@maineoutdoorbrands.com to learn more.Heading to Outdoor Retailer in July? Follow along with our OR tips and tricks series, put together by MOB advisory board member Alicia MacLeay! The first installment, “OR Tips from Buyers,” features expert advice from L.L. Bean’s very own Mike Gawtry and Scot Balentine!Not sure which OR show to attend? OR show director Marisa Nicholson has you covered in this helpful article! Maine PTAC is part of a nation-wide network of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC’s). They work with Maine-based companies that are interested in selling their products and/or services to local, state or federal government agencies, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Maine PTAC can assist companies to identify opportunities, develop marketing strategies and guide you through the complex process of government registrations and assist you in becoming a qualified government contractor.

In addition to helping you get started, Maine PTAC can assist you with proposal preparation and post-award assistance. The best part? There is no cost for Maine PTAC services! If you are interested in making government contracting a part of your business plan please email Bryan Wallace at bwallace@emdc.org. For more information about Maine PTAC services please visit www.MainePTAC.org.

Thank you to those of you who sent a letter in support of Katahdin Woods and Waters earlier this month! Here’s an update:

“Within the funds provided for Park Support the Committee has provided the request of $400,000 to support operations at the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. The Service is directed to continue its collaborative work to ensure the development of a Management Plan for the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument that addresses the concerns of affected stakeholders including, but not limited to, local communities and businesses.” Do you know a company who should be a member of MOB? Help us recruit new members and send them our way! Have them check out http://maineoutdoorbrands.com/membership-2/  or send any leads to isabel@maineoutdoorbrands.com

Stay tuned for the July newsletter and more great OR tips, but due to OutDoor Show in Germany and OR in Denver, MOB will taking a short break for the month of August. Not to worry- we’ll see you in September!