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 to sled dog and guide shop tours with Mahoosuc Guide Service, participated in ATV demos led by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, joined a pointing bird dog clinic with Maine Professional Guides Association, and took off mountain biking at Bethel Community Forest with Still Peaking and Maine Trail Builders. Others honed their skills in fly-tying workshops with Selene’s Fly Shop or took part in a Roll and Stroll at Valentine Farm with Maine Adaptive.
A key focus of the Summit was a review of Maine’s 10-Year Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap. Attendees weighed in on strategies aimed at growing Maine’s outdoor industry, increasing participation, and positioning the state as a leader in outdoors.
The Summit was officially launched with a warm and lively reception, a delicious snack spread, and local brews from Allagash Brewing and Eighteen Twenty Brewing Co. It was a perfect start to the event, filled with conversation and camaraderie.
The second day began early with morning wellness adventures. Attendees joined Yoga with Ashley Flowers Yoga, a trail run with Move Free, an e-bike ride with Bicycle Coalition of Maine, or a women’s mountain biking clinic with Still Peaking.
Maine GearShare was on site mending gear in need of repair, ranging from stuck zippers and torn nylon to broken backpack buckles and straps.
Highlights from the day included keynote speakers Luis Benitez and Kelly Davis, who shared valuable insights into global trends and the current state of the market, along with a full roster of engaging breakout sessions that explored the diverse facets of Maine’s dynamic outdoor industry.
This year, we dove into the following topics:
- What is a Brand and How Do You Create One?
Led by Meranne Behrends, Co-Founder and CEO of Words from the Woods, this session explored how to define and build a compelling brand. Panelists included insights from Stio, Wolverine, Yeti, The Nature Conservancy, and Saddleback, and shared real-world branding strategies and lessons learned. - Wabanaki Cultural Tourism Initiative
Sarah Woog and Courtney Wynn from Four Directions Development Corporation introduced the Wabanaki Cultural Tourism Initiative, highlighting its role in promoting Indigenous heritage and fostering sustainable tourism opportunities. - Public-Private Partnerships to Successfully Create a Vibrant Trail System
Thomas Poirier, Director of Community Development for the Town of Gorham, moderated this discussion with trail development experts Rob Lavoie, Bill Moreno, Sam Morton, and Cindy Hazelton. The panel shared successful models for partnerships that enhance recreational access and community engagement. - Going Global: Expanding Maine’s Outdoor Recreation Economy through International Trade and Tourism
Abby Gray (Maine International Trade Center), Devin McNeill (Flowfold), Carolann Ouellette (Maine Office of Tourism), and Gilles Simard (Tourisme Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean) discussed how businesses can leverage international trade and tourism to grow Maine’s outdoor industry. The session included strategies for exporting goods, attracting global tourists, and fostering international collaboration. - #WEOUTSIDE – Lessons in Partnership
Moon Machar, Community Wellness Program Manager for the Maine Association of New Americans, and Simon Rucker, Executive Director of the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust, shared lessons learned from collaborative programs that connect underrepresented communities with Maine’s natural resources. - Sustaining the Volunteer Ecosystem: Landowner Relations and Access
Moderated by: Kris MacCabe, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Panelists include Brian Marcaurelle, Maine Island Trail Association, Christopher Riley, Central Maine NEMBA and Matt Stedman, Maine Snowmobile Association to address the challenges and solutions for maintaining strong relationships with landowners and sustaining volunteer-led trail systems. - Transforming Rural Narratives: Embracing Outdoor Recreation for Economic Revitalization in Maine
Mary Haley (MxH Marketing) led a panel with George O’Keefe with the City of Rumford and Tracey Perry from Katahdin Collaborative, examining how outdoor recreation can serve as a catalyst for economic growth in rural communities. The session included inspiring case studies and actionable recommendations for community leaders. - From Sci-Fi to Maine-Street: How to Harness the Power of AI for Business
Justin Gibbs of Miles Partnership demystified artificial intelligence (AI), showcasing practical applications for businesses in the outdoor industry to enhance efficiency, marketing, and customer engagement. - The PFAS Landscape: Phasing Out ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Outdoor Products
Jenny Kordick (Maine Outdoor Brands) moderated a discussion with Brian Lenberg (Sundray River), Stacey Keefer (Maine Marine Trades Association), Phil Shettig (Sterling Rope), focusing on the environmental and regulatory landscape of PFAS chemicals. The session provided actionable steps for phasing out forever chemicals in outdoor products.
Thursday night’s Rugged Runway was a celebration of Maine’s outdoor brands, featuring Maine-made gear and apparel. The show opened with a performance by Firefly and featured over 40 brands modeled by special surprise guests from Maine’s outdoor industry.
MOB also honored industry leaders with the Maine Outdoor Brands Trailblazer Awards, recognizing remarkable leadership, innovation, and collaboration within Maine’s outdoor economy:
- Outdoor Industry Leader of the Year Award: Pete Didisheim, Natural Resources Council of Maine: Honored for his pivotal role in securing the $30 million Maine Trails Bond.
- Outdoor Innovation Award: Josh Fox, Founder of Survue: Revolutionizing cyclist safety with Al-powered bike light technology.
- Outdoor Brand Collaboration Award: Maine Association of New Americans & Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust on the #WeOutside Program: Connecting asylum-seeking youth and families with Maine’s outdoor spaces to foster community, health, and belonging.
- Special Recognition: Carolann Ouellette, Director of Tourism, Film & Outdoor Recreation: Honored for her trailblazing work in establishing Maine’s Office of Outdoor Recreation and serving as its first Director for more than six years.
The final day of the Summit began with an inspiring session featuring University of New England students presenting innovative prototypes for the outdoor recreation industry. These future leaders showcased their creativity and potential to shape Maine’s outdoor economy.
The final MOES sessions explored the future of the outdoor industry, with forward-thinking sessions on workforce and climate solutions.
- Future-Proofing the Outdoor Industry: Higher Education and Workforce Development
Moderated by Joel Hartter from the University of Colorado Boulder and Parallel Labs, this session delved into the critical role of higher education and workforce development in securing the future of Maine’s outdoor industry. Panelists Maureen Lafferty from L.L.Bean, Danny Twilley from West Virginia University, and Jessica Haight from Sunday River shared insights into innovative programs, partnerships, and strategies designed to meet evolving workforce needs. - Future-Proofing the Outdoor Industry: Net Zero Commitments and Climate Solutions
Sarah Curran, Deputy Director of Climate Planning and Community Partnerships with the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, moderated this impactful session. Panelists Jennifer Natyzak, Director of Sustainability for the Appalachian Mountain Club; Dana Bullen, President of Sunday River; and Aaron Anker, Chief Granola Officer at Grandy Organics, explored actionable pathways to achieve net-zero goals and implement climate solutions across the outdoor sector.
Between sessions, the event buzzed with adventure and relaxed gatherings, mountainside fire pit hangs, and meaningful conversations.
As the Summit came to a close, participants departed with new connections, a shared commitment to shaping the future of Maine’s outdoor economy—and plenty of stickers!
Oh, and one lucky raffle winner went home with an Old Town Kayak and Malone trailer!
Thank you to all the attendees, sponsors, speakers, and partners who made the 2024 Maine Outdoor Economy Summit possible. We hope to see you all next year for another inspiring gathering—stay tuned for dates and details. Until then, keep exploring Maine’s great outdoors!
