Adventure Local Maine seeks to inspire discovery and promote local outdoor recreation this summer.
PORTLAND, Maine (May 21, 2020) – Maine Outdoor Brands, the alliance of Maine’s outdoor product, service and retail brands, today announces the launch of Adventure Local Maine — a collaborative campaign amongst Maine’s outdoor businesses to promote local, outdoor recreation this summer. Outdoor recreation is vital to the health and economic well-being of Maine’s economy and people, and Adventure Local Maine aims to encourage the public to pursue safe outdoor experiences while supporting our local outdoor recreation businesses.
“The importance of the outdoors is even clearer now as Mainers seek more time outside to improve their physical, emotional and mental health,” said Jenny Kordick, Executive Director of Maine Outdoor Brands. “Through the Adventure Local Maine campaign, we hope Mainers will get excited to discover or rediscover the amazing outdoor opportunities we have in our state, all while supporting our local outdoor recreation businesses.”
With the launch of adventurelocalmaine.com, Maine residents have access to listings of local guides, public lands, and camping options as well as discounts on guided trips, rentals and outdoor gear – featuring local brands who have committed to COVID-19 prevention checklists. Adventure Local Maine will also provide an updated list of tips and resources for safely exploring Maine’s public lands and waters this summer.
“We’re all adapting to the new realities of the covid era and, lucky for us, here in Maine we have plenty of room for social distancing. We want to remind people of that while helping drive business to the folks losing tourism dollars,” says Henry Gilbert, founder of Back40. “This is an opportunity for Mainers to explore the state like never before.”
Outdoor recreation is a $3 billion industry in Maine, according to the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, making up 4.8 percent of the state’s economy, which is double the national average and the third highest of any state. Maine’s outdoor brands include gear manufacturers, guides and outfitters and outdoor retail stores – all of whom have had business interrupted by the pandemic.
Next month, Adventure Local Maine will give away outdoor gear and experience packages from participating outdoor brands. To learn more and plan an outdoor adventure this summer with Adventure Local Maine, visit www.adventurelocalmaine.com. Mainers are encouraged to use the hashtag #adventurelocalmaine this summer and fall as they safely support the great outdoors of Maine.
Brands featured on the site include: Acadia East Campground, Acadia Mountain Guides, Acadia Yurts, Angelrox, Back40, Backcountry Excursions, Bicycle Coalition of Maine, Blue Star Guide Service, Equinox Guiding Service, Good To-Go, L.L.Bean, Mad Gab’s, Maine Dept. of Agriculture Conservation & Forestry, Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Maine Fly Company, Maine Outdoor Film Festival, Maine Outdoors, Maine Tenkara Guide, Maine Trail Finder, Moose Woods Guide Service, New England Outdoor Center, Northern Outdoors, North Star Adventures, Penobscot Adventures, Portland Paddle, R.E.D.D. Bar, Strong Machine Adventure Racing, Summer Feet Cycling, and Wolfe’s Neck Campground.
Adventure Local Maine is supported by Bernstein Shur, Blaze Partners, and Maine’s Office of Outdoor Recreation.
About Maine Outdoor Brands: Maine Outdoor Brands unites business leaders and entrepreneurs in raising awareness of Maine’s outdoor recreation economy and strengthens Maine’s outdoor brands through knowledge sharing, collaborative marketing and commerce efforts and access to professional resources. MOB is committed to seeing Maine-based product, service, and retail brands thrive, and today has over 100 members that are a part of the mission. The organization was formed by leaders from Blaze Partners, Good To-Go, Flowfold, Trailspace and Stabil (now owned by Implus) in 2017. To learn more about Maine Outdoor Brands, visit www.maineoutdoorbrands.com.
