AGENDA
MOES 2026 SCHEDULE
*subject to change
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
1:00 - 3:00pm
MOES Kickoff Activities & Excursions
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Kindling Collective Open House
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Casco Bay Cold Plunge with Two Maine Mermaids
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Manufacturing Tour of Brant & Cochran Axes
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Ice Safety Training with Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and Maine Warden Service
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Cross Country Skiing with Portland Nordic and Portland Gear Hub
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Winter Hike / Snowshoe with Portland Trails
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Disc Golf with JoySwich
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Maine Surfers Union Open House
4:00 - 5:00pm
5:00 - 7:00pm
Maine Outdoor Industry Celebration and Awards
7:30 - 9:00pm
MOES Film Festival
3:00 - 4:00pm
Find Your Voice: Create a Brand that's Consistent, Ownable and True
Amanda Lee Smith, Monday Creative
Thursday, January 22, 2026
6:15 - 7:15am
Rise & Shine Morning Activities
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Morning Run with Joan Bohlke Kaijala, Founder of Running Peas
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Yoga with Ashley Flowers Yoga
7:00 - 8:30am
Breakfast
8:00 - 8:30am
Welcome
8:30 - 10:00am
GENERAL SESSION: Economic & Consumer Trends Shaping Maine’s Outdoor Economy
Amanda Rector, Maine State Economist
Kelly Davis, Director of Research, Outdoor Industry Association
Juan Vargas, Miles Partnership
10:00 - 10:30am
Coffee Break
10:30 - 11:45am
Breakout Session 1
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Recreation for Rural Communities: Leveraging Recreation for Economic Growth and Community Vitality
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Building Inclusive Pathways: Addressing What’s Missing in Maine’s Outdoor Economy
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The Cost of Search and Rescue: Discussion on How/Who Can Help Fund Public and Private SAR Efforts
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Emerging Voices: Student Visions for Outdoor Industry Careers in Maine
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Working with Photographers: Best Practices for Photo Rights, Access, and Use for Outdoor Businesses and Organizations
12:00 - 1:00pm
Lunch
1:15 - 2:00pm
Breakout Session 2
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Emerging Trends & Opportunities in Outdoor Recreation: Gravel Cycling
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Emerging Trends & Opportunities in Outdoor Recreation: Disc Golf
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Emerging Trends & Opportunities in Outdoor Recreation: Boating
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Emerging Trends & Opportunities in Outdoor Recreation: Surfing
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Emerging Trends & Opportunities in Outdoor Recreation: Gear Libraries
2:15 - 3:30pm
Breakout Session 3
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Universal Design in Action: Creating Equitable Recreation Experiences
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Maine Outdoor School for All: How Maine is Helping to Lead the Way in Outdoor Youth Education
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Community Forests & Mountain Biking: Anchoring Maine’s Outdoor Recreation Economy
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How AI and LLMs Work—and How They're Changing Consumer Behavior
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Cross-Border Opportunities: Navigating Trade Barriers and Realities for Maine Brands
3:30 - 4:00pm
Dessert Break
4:00 - 4:45pm
5:00 - 7:00pm
Networking Reception
Friday, January 23, 2026
8:30 - 10:00am
Breakfast & General Session: Founder's Friday
James Merrill, Founder & CEO of StokedPlastics
Christi Elliot, Author and Founder, Maine Women Hunters
Haley Bezon, Founder & Executive Director, Hearty Roots
10:00 - 10:30 am
Coffee Break
10:30 - 11:45am
Breakout Session 4
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Trails as Community Infrastructure: Quantifying the Cultural and Economic Value of Outdoor Recreation Networks
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Building Career Pathways: Strategies for Growing the Outdoor Workforce
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Land and Access Returned to Penobscot Nation Across Two Important Projects
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Passing the Torch: Succession Planning and Exit Strategies for an Enduring Business​
11:45am - 1:30pm
Lunch & Fireside Chat with Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser, President & CEO of Trust for Public Land
1:30 - 2:00pm
Closing Remarks & Prizes
2:00pm
Summit Adjourns