February 2019

If you read nothing else …

The three most important things for you to know.

1. We’re heading to Summer OR! Mark your calendars (June 18-20) and stay tuned for more information.
2. MOB will be at the Hall of Flags March 26th to meet with legislators. Come show your support!
3. Since it’s launch last month, over 1,500 people have visited the new and improved MOB Job page. If you are hiring, let us know!

I wanted to take a moment to thank all of the dedicated volunteers who have put in countless hours to make MOB what it is. Since our humble beginnings in 2017, MOB has grown to be a force within the state, and has become the hub for an energized community of Mainers who love and live the outdoors. Our Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and various committees and partners have created a great foundation, and to keep the momentum going, we need your help. Join a committee, send a prospective member our way, or share our news on social. Keep showing up to events, keep sending us job opportunities, and keep sharing our story. With the state having created an Office of Outdoor Recreation, it’s more important than ever that we show our continued
commitment. Thank you!

-Isabel Friedman
MOB Engagement Director
isabel@maineoutdoorbrands.com.

On Tuesday, April 9th from 9-12, Director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation Carolann Ouellette will be at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Augusta to speak at the following session:

Maine’s Outdoor Recreation Economy: Trends & Opportunities for Organizations, Businesses & Communities

This session will convene stakeholders from across Maine to continue discussions around priorities, strategies and actions to grow Maine’s economy through outdoor recreation and tourism.  The 3-hour workshop will share findings from a recent Future IQ Report, Future of Tourism – Maine Woods, that provides critical insights for Destination Development work by the Maine Office of Tourism and the Maine Woods Consortium; outcomes from the Northern Forest Regional Symposium on the outdoor recreation economy; and updates on new initiatives including Maine Outdoor Brands and the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation.

If you’re interested in attending the session or the conference, click here to register.

We’re heading back to Denver this summer and would love to introduce your brand to the outdoor industry! Information will be going out soon, but in the meantime, hold the date and check out these articles to get prepared. 

Notes from Summer OR 2018:
“THANKS SO MUCH for your support and for making OR happen for Foothill. It was a huge learning experience and it laid the groundwork for us to launch this winter. I felt a genuine camaraderie with the crew who came out to Denver. The environment at the MOB booth felt supportive and authentic, perfect for a first time attendee and novice biz owner like myself. Your efforts are much appreciated.” – Brian Kennedy

In December, board president Jim Hauptman sat down with Pale Morning Media to discuss the state of the Office of Outdoor Recreation in Maine, how Maine Outdoor Brands was formed, and what’s on the horizon.

Click to listen

The 2019 Maine Summer Adventure Race will take place June 22-23, 2019 in the greater Portland area. The 2019 edition will feature self-supported teams of two to four traveling nonstop on an unmarked, linear course via mountain bike, foot, and sea kayak, navigating by map and compass for 24 hours straight. Adventure racing is the ultimate test of endurance, strategy, and teamwork. To learn more, visit https://www.mainesummerar.com. For sponsorship opportunities, get in touch with race co-director Cliff White at 207-650-8698 or via email at StrongMachineAR@gmail.com.

Saltwater Classroom is thrilled to be joining the incredible network at Maine Outdoor Brands and is looking forward to meeting and working with you all. Contact Lexi Doudera at lexi@saltwaterclassroom.com to say hello or find out more!

Saltwater Classroom is a Maine-based environmental education non-profit that strives to solve pressing ocean issues by instilling an ethic of ocean stewardship in today’s youth. Through weeklong workshops driven by engaging lessons, challenging experiments, meaningful field missions, and creative projects, Saltwater Classroom introduces young students to the marine environment, sparking a passion for our oceans through hands-on, experience-based education. This is further strengthened through the second component of Saltwater Classroom, a mobile phone/tablet application that will allow participants around the world to connect, build cross-cultural relationships, share marine discoveries, and ultimately, forge a passion for the ocean that extends beyond whatever differences may set students apart.

We had a great time on February 6th at the Social Media and Marketing Breakfast Briefing! Thank you to Blaze Partners, Sea Bags, 360 Media Ventures, 50Fish, and Dirigo Collective for leading interactive and informative sessions.

Let us know what topic you’re interested in for the next breakfast briefing!