Welcome to the October 2025 edition of “A Month @ MOB,” a roundup of news and events in Maine’s outdoor industry each month: Strong Sixteen County Response to Maine Trails Program Grant Opportunity The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) has received 105 applications for the first round of the newly established Maine Trails Program (MTP) grant cycle, …
After a sun-soaked summer, the landscape is alight in shimmering foliage and just-right temperatures that aren’t too hot or too cold, making it nearly impossible to stay inside. Luckily, you can enjoy virtually every outdoor sport from September to November — especially when Snowvember surprises winter lovers with an early arrival. From camping and backpacking in the crisp air to …
Welcome to the August 2025 edition of “A Month @ MOB,” a roundup of news and events in Maine’s outdoor industry each month: $3M Golf Learning Center Breaks Ground in Freeport to Expand Youth Access Maine Golf has launched construction of the Alexa Re Rancourt Golf Learning Center, a new Freeport facility that will offer junior golf programs and indoor …
Welcome to the 16th edition of “A Month @ MOB,” a roundup of news and events in Maine’s outdoor industry each month: Maine Outdoor Film Festival Returns to Portland with 90+ Films Under the Stars From July 23–27, MOFF will showcase outdoor adventure, conservation, and Maine-made stories, celebrating the power of nature on screen. Maine Moose Lottery Winners Announced …
While more than a thousand bills were introduced in the 132nd session of Maine’s legislature, only a select few have passed both chambers and made it to the Governor’s desk. Legislative developments can and will impact the state’s outdoor industry – from workforce and conservation programs to regulations for boats and ATVs. Maine Outdoor Brands is committed to ensuring that …
Maine summers might fly by faster than lobster rolls disappear at a beach picnic, but this epic, action-packed season is the stuff outdoorists’ dreams are made of, even if that means lazy, carefree days under the sun. The days are long and the list of ways to recreate outside is even longer. Embrace multi-sport season and try it all! Lucky …
Welcome to the June edition of “A Month @ MOB,” a roundup of news and events in Maine’s outdoor industry each month: Portland Unveils City’s First Public Bike Park A win for local riders – Portland’s first dedicated public bike park is now open to the public! Gear Up, Shop Local: New Initiative from Maine Outdoor Brands Highlights Local Gear …
On April 29-30, Maine Outdoor Brands joined the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) in Washington, D.C. for the 2025 Capitol Summit. Together, we brought a united message to Congress: protect public lands, defend outdoor businesses from harmful tariffs, and recognize the massive impact of the outdoor recreation economy. Throughout the summit, more than 80 outdoor industry leaders met face-to-face with lawmakers …
Apply to Join Maine Outdoor Brands Student Advisory Board! The Maine Outdoor Brands Student Advisory Board is designed to unite post-secondary students who are interested in pursuing careers in the outdoor industry. This collaborative group will advise Maine Outdoor Brands and act as ambassadors for their schools and communities while fostering a deeper understanding of the outdoor recreation industry in …
Maine’s outdoor recreation industry is a vital driver of our state’s economy, quality of life, and connection to the outdoors. As policymakers consider legislation that impacts access, infrastructure, and investment in our outdoor sector, Maine Outdoor Brands (MOB) is actively engaged in advocating for policies that support the long-term sustainability and growth of our $3 billion outdoor recreation economy. This …
The Maine Outdoor Economy Summit is an annual 3-day outdoor industry event produced by the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation and Maine Outdoor Brands; an opportunity to connect, learn, and collaborate on the shared vision of advancing Maine’s outdoor recreation economy. The 2024 Summit began with a lineup of outdoor adventures, offering something new for every enthusiast. Attendees ventured off …
Welcome to the 14th edition of “A Month @ MOB,” a roundup of news and events in Maine’s outdoor industry each month: Commissioner Johnson Names New Director of Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation Maine Economic & Community Development Commissioner Heather Johnson today announced that Jeff McCabe will be the Director of Maine’s Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR). McCabe replaces Carolann Ouellette, …
Maine was one of the first states to adopt a law regulating the use of PFAS in consumer products. That original law required broad reporting of PFAS in products. In the recent legislative session, Maine amended the law to eliminate the general reporting requirement, and instead phase out intentionally added PFAS across several categories of products, require reporting on a …
Welcome to the 13th edition of “A Month @ MOB,” a roundup of news and events in Maine’s outdoor industry each month: South Portland surfing startup cuts back on waste by turning fishing nets into boards MOB Member Blueprint Surf Co. is engineering 3D-printed surfboards meant to last longer than traditional foam and fiberglass ones. Women to Watch: Kristina Cannon …
Welcome to the 12th edition of “A Month @ MOB,” a roundup of news and events in Maine’s outdoor industry each month: Wabanaki Nations can now gather sweetgrass at Acadia Acadia Superintendent Kevin Schneider said this is a critical step in “preserving and protecting the park through co-stewardship with the Wabanaki tribes and providing space for Wabanaki citizens to heal …
Welcome to the 11th edition of “A Month @ MOB,” a roundup of news and events in Maine’s outdoor industry each month: Opinion: How to cure loneliness in Maine? Invest in public spaces Betsy Cook, the Maine State Director of The Trust for Public Land, advocates for increased, equitable investments in parks and public lands. New Find a Guide tool …
Welcome to the 10th edition of “A Month @ MOB,” a roundup of news and events in Maine’s outdoor industry each month: Windham unveils 700-acre conservation area: Boost for Maine’s outdoor recreation economy This project came together after Windham leaders and the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust fund brought it to “Land for Maine’s Future.’ This land is now one of …
Welcome to the 9th edition of “A Month @ MOB,” a roundup of news and events in Maine’s outdoor industry each month: Maine Trails Bond Passes! We did it! The Maine Trails Bond passed both the House and Senate this month and was signed by the Governor. Thank you to all who weighed in and supported this initiative, which will provide …
Welcome to the 8th edition of “A Month @ MOB,” a roundup of news and events in Maine’s outdoor industry each month: MOB spent time in Augusta weighing in on two bills: The Maine Outdoor Schools for All Act (LD 1817) would provide Maine students a chance to participate in multi-day outdoor programs led by Maine’s outstanding trip leading organizations. …
Posted March 4, 2024 Calling all outdoor recreation enthusiasts in Maine! A crucial decision is approaching that will impact the future of outdoor recreation in our state: the Maine Trails Bond. With the potential to inject $30 million into trail design, construction, and maintenance, the bond will be a much needed boost for outdoor enthusiasts, businesses, and communities alike. As …
We’re back with the 7th edition of “A Month @ MOB,” a collection of news and events in Maine’s outdoor industry each month: Outdoor Retailer highlights top winter gear exhibitors, including MOB member Mainers Check out gear picks from the show floor at OR Winter. Grain Surfboards launches new 3-day workshop and new perimeter rail material With years of R&D …
Happy New Year, MOB community! We’re starting the year off with the 6th edition of “A Month @ MOB,” a roundup of exciting events in Maine’s outdoor industry from the past month: Portland-based Sea Bags scores NFL licensing deal Sea Bags has secured a multiyear licensing agreement with the NFL to feature team logos on their signature bags crafted from …
It’s that time again! Read on for the 5th edition of “A Month @ MOB,” a roundup of 10 of the latest events in Maine’s outdoor industry: The Institute for Family-Owned Business in Portland presented numerous awards during its 23rd Maine Family Business Awards gala. Mahoosuc Guide Services in Newry received the “Geiger Environmental Leadership Award” Newry-based Mahoosuc Guide Service, whose co-founder …
The 2023 Maine Outdoor Economy Summit, produced by the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation and Maine Outdoor Brands, gathered over 350 outdoor enthusiasts, industry leaders, and visionaries to shape the future of Maine’s outdoor sector. Read on for the recap of the event! The Summit kicked off with a range of outdoor adventures in the Rockport area, fostering connections and …
Welcome back to edition #4 of “A Month @ MOB!” We’ve rounded up the latest happenings in Maine’s outdoor industry below: Trust for Public Land and Penobscot Nation announce a vision for a 30,000-acre land return project in the Katahdin Region of Maine and a $32M fundraising effort to make it happen. Penobscot Nation and the Trust for Public Land …
Welcome back to the third edition of “A Month @ MOB!” Here’s a look at the latest news from Maine’s outdoor industry: Portland Gear Hub launches “HERE TO STAY” campaign We’re thrilled to celebrate the recent success of Portland Gear Hub at their Community Celebration. They’re on a mission to secure their future as a community nonprofit outdoor gear and …
Map Adventures releases “DownEast Acadia: From Ellsworth to Jonesboro,” featuring maps of Ellsworth’s trails -> A collaboration between the city of Ellsworth, community partners, and Map Adventures has produced a new guide called “DownEast Acadia: From Ellsworth to Jonesboro,” which features maps of Ellsworth’s extensive trail system, with the aim of encouraging travelers to spend more time in the city …
While more than a thousand bills were introduced in the 131st session of Maine’s legislature, only a select few have passed both chambers and made it to the Governor’s desk. Legislative developments can and will impact the state’s outdoor industry – from PFAs regulations to e-bike incentives to paid family leave policies. Maine Outdoor Brands is committed to ensuring that …
Governor Janet Mills today announced funding for nine new Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) conservation projects across Maine, advancing the State of Maine’s commitment to preserve precious natural resources, protect wildlife habitats, and ensure public access to lakes, rivers, scenic views, and mountain vistas.
BRUNSWICK, MAINE – Maine GearShare’s Board of Directors is thrilled to announce the appointment of Josh Bossin as the organization’s new Executive Director. He will step into the role on June 1, 2023. Josh has been involved with the organization for a year through both committee and consulting work. He will bring to this role many years of experience in …
Making the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument more easily accessible to the public while accentuating the Wabanaki heritage of the land are the focuses of a $35 million capital campaign announced Tuesday by the Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters. The effort, combining the efforts and resources of the Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, the Elliotsville Foundation Inc., the National …
Kristen Murphy joins Good To-Go after 12 years at Vibram Corporation and will be focused on growing Good To-Go’s audience and supporting its retail partners. Good To-Go, the award-winning dehydrated gourmet meal brand founded by Chef Jennifer Scism, has added to its team hiring Kristen Murphy as its Marketing Manager. With a deep understanding of the outdoor industry, Murphy will …
A statewide coalition of more than 260 Maine businesses, towns and organizations are urging lawmakers to pass a $30 million bond to expand and maintain trails for hiking, snowmobiling and other purposes. In a letter to Maine lawmakers made public at a State House news conference on Wednesday, supporters note that trails are an essential component of Maine’s $3 billion …
Several projects are in the works to lure outdoor adventurers to town, and Main Street Skowhegan this week is organizing an Outdoor Rec & Tech Summit to address obstacles facing the outdoor recreation industry in Maine. Read more in the Sun Journal.
Jennifer Scism, co-founder and CEO of a Kittery maker of natural dehydrated meals for active people, recalls a time early on when she was thinking about scaling from preparing 20 servings per day to 20,000.
Marin Skincare, a Portland startup that produces a skin cream using a lobster byproduct, has scored featured placement at L.L.Bean’s Home Store on its flagship campus in Freeport.
Carolann Ouellette, director of the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation, is pleased to share the release of the first-ever Guidebook on Developing Offices of Outdoor Recreation by the Confluence of States that provides best practices and strategies on developing successful offices of outdoor recreation and supports directors of current state offices of outdoor recreation across the nation. Read …
The goggles and sunglasses brand won an Outdoor Retailer Innovation Award at the Outdoor Retailer Snow Show. The Maine Outdoor Brands organization has been a key supporter of the start-up.
Outdoor Writers Association of American Outdoor Voices Blog: Originally developed for outdoor restaurants to use during the pandemic, made-in-Maine Hüga Heated Cushions are rechargeable, water-resistant, portable, easy-to-clean and, of course, heated. There are three temperature settings that can range from 85-120℉ and the batteries can last from 6-10 hours.
SALT LAKE CITY – (January 12, 2023) – The winners of the fifth annual Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards were announced in a ceremony on the second night of Outdoor Retailer Snow Show on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah and includes Maine’s Opolis. — StokedSnow Goggles made with Opolis’ patent-pending blend StokedPlastic®
Salt Lake City is also less expensive, said Ponch Membreño, a spokesperson for Maine Outdoor Brands, a nonprofit that helps fund small Maine companies’ attendance at the show. For smaller companies, the show is still valuable because they can “potentially meet a big account, which always seems to happen,” Membreño said. “Even though it’s not 100 buyers a day, they meet …
Maine’s outdoor recreation economy generated $2.8 billion in economic output in 2021, representing a 19.3% increase over 2020, a new national report shows. The report, released Wednesday, marks the fifth consecutive year the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis has released government data on the sector. The latest edition shows how the outdoor industry continues to build on growing popularity during the pandemic.
A report released by the U.S. Department of Commerce found that Maine’s outdoor industry made up about 3.6 percent of the total economy. The numbers show Maine is one of the top five states in the country when it comes to the value of outdoor recreation in the state’s total gross domestic product. Manufacturing and sales of gear and equipment …
State-level outdoor recreation leaders representing the Confluence of States gathered at the Outdoor Media Summit alongside industry partners to elect organization leadership, discuss key issues affecting the $689 billion outdoor recreation economy, and strategize about the continued advancement of the outdoor economy through their engagement with the Outdoor Recreation Industry Confluence of States Accords. Brad Garmon, Executive Director of the …
By Laurie Schreiber The outdoor recreation industry is responsible for a significant portion of southern Maine’s economy, attracting 5.5 million visitors in 2020 and generating $188.6 million in annual sales. The industry also contributed nearly $105.3 million to the regional gross domestic product and represented 12% of Maine’s total outdoor recreation. The findings came in a report commissioned by the Southern …
People in Maine’s outdoor industry came together in Portland Thursday to say Maine’s beauty is not only wonderful, but a way to build up Maine’s economy. Thursday, the “Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation” teamed up with “Maine Outdoor Brands” to present the first ever “Maine Outdoor Economy Summit.”
In celebration of its 110th Anniversary, iconic outdoor retailer L.L.Bean unveils new, proprietary research findings that experiencing awe in the outdoors makes us more resilient and strengthens relationships. L.L.Bean is turning these insights into action with partner Mental Health America (MHA) to fund programming focused on improving mental well-being through time spent outdoors.
Teens to Trails, a Brunswick nonprofit that connects young Mainers to outdoor experiences, aims to raise its fundraising game through a new partnership with 1% for the Planet.
Maine Fly Company makes beautiful off-the-shelf and custom fly rods by hand. Here’s a look at how they do it.
Now, a young Maine couple is pitching another benefit of lobster: They say a protein in the lobster’s circulatory fluid, which is usually washed down the drain, can help ease skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis.
Rippleffect, a Portland-based nonprofit that promotes youth development and leadership through outdoor activities, is teaming with the Portland Public Schools to build a $300,000 children’s outdoor recreation center.
The Maine Outdoor Film Festival, promoted as an annual celebration of adventure, conservation and the arts, used to take place at venues across the state before launching a Portland flagship event in 2020. The annual gathering raises money for Teens to Trails, a Brunswick-based nonprofit that connects young people to outdoor activities. With less than a week to go until …