Third Annual Maine Outdoor Economy Summit to be held November 13-15

NEWRY — The third annual Maine Outdoor Economy Summit is scheduled for Wednesday-Friday, Nov. 13-15 at the Sunday River Resort, 15 South Ridge Road.

New this year, a fashion show from the Maine outdoor brand will be offered.

The summit serves as a platform for professional development and discussions on critical national, regional and local topics impacting Maine’s outdoor recreation economy in the areas of innovation, rural development, workforce, access and equity. The summit is presented in partnership by the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation and Maine Outdoor Brands.

This year’s agenda includes more outdoor activities ahead of the summit in the Bethel and Newry area and 15 breakout topics ranging from Outdoor Belonging: Large Inclusion in Gear and recreational spaces to the sustainability of the outdoor industry: higher education and workforce development.

There will also be a session dedicated to sharing the goals and strategies of Maine’s Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap.

Keynote speaker Luis Benitez is an outdoor industry thought leader at the forefront of his political movement and most recently served as Director of Impact for Trust for Public Land. An international mountaineering guide, Benetiz was appointed by Governor John Hickenlooper as the first director of Colorado’s Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry in 2015, and became vice president of government affairs and global impact for VF Corp, parent company of outdoor recreation brands such as The North Face, Smartwool and Eagle Creek, in 2019.

Kelly Davis, director of research for the Outdoor Industry Association, will share the latest information with conference attendees. With over 25 years of experience in market research, including serving as Director of Research for SnowSports Industries America and Senior Director of Research for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, her job now involves helping members of the industry to determine what data impacts the external market and how to reach customers more effectively.

For more information or to register, visit moesummit.com.

Discover other upcoming events in the region!

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