SESSIONS
MOES 2026 Session Descriptions
*subject to change
General Sessions & Keynote Speakers
Maine Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap Implementation Update
Maine’s 10 Year Outdoor Recreation Roadmap was launched in January of 2025. In Maine, outdoor recreation is a cornerstone of the state’s identity, economy, and quality of life. Our advantage lies in a uniquely collaborative industry supported by world-class natural resources—but we need focused investment. That’s why we’ve created a bold blueprint to grow and sustain the $3.4B industry, which represents 4.5% of the state’s workforce. This roadmap guides collaborative action to build infrastructure, invest in workforce and business development, and communicate the full value (real and potential) of this sector. Join us for a dynamic presentation from 10 different organizations who have been pushing this initiative forward over the last year through their work across the state.
GENERAL SESSION: Economic & Consumer Trends Shaping Maine's Outdoor Economy
What’s ahead for Maine’s economy and what does it mean for the outdoor sector? This session brings together three expert perspectives on the economic and consumer trends shaping Maine’s outdoor economy in 2026 and beyond.
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Amanda Rector, Maine State Economist, will share a data-driven forecast connecting Maine and national economic trends, highlighting key indicators, opportunities, and challenges ahead.
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Kelly Davis, Director of Research at the Outdoor Industry Association, will examine outdoor participation, consumer behavior, and forces shaping the industry nationwide.
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Juan Vargas, Account Director at Miles Partnership will share insights on outdoor travel trends, demographic shifts, and implications for consumer-facing businesses.
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A must-attend session for outdoor businesses, destinations, and service providers planning for the future. The session concludes with a Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers.
KEYNOTE: Robin Thurston, CEO, Outside Interactive, Inc.
Robin Thurston, CEO of Outside Interactive, will explore the intersection of storytelling, technology, and the outdoors and what it means for participation, connection, and wellbeing in the years ahead. Outside Interactive is a leading outdoor media and technology company on a mission to get everyone outside by inspiring, activating, and connecting people with the outdoors. The company brings together a network of 25+ media, digital, and technology brands, including Outside Magazine, Backpacker, SKI, Yoga Journal, Gaia GPS, and more, reaching tens of millions of active lifestyle enthusiasts each month.
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Drawing on insights from media, data, and the outdoor industry, Thurston will examine how powerful storytelling and community-building can move people, especially young people, from passive consumption to real-world outdoor experiences. He will highlight how digital and user-generated content can cut through media fragmentation, inspire action, and foster healthier relationships with both screens and time outside.
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Generously Sponsored by
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
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Founders will share their WHY, how they built their brand, lessons learned along the way, and their hopes for the future.
KEYNOTE: Fireside Chat with Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser,
President & CEO of Trust for Public Land
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Generously Sponsored by
Breakout Sessions
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Workshop: Find Your Voice: Create a Brand that's Consistent, Ownable and True
Amanda Lee Smith, CEO of Monday Creative
Brand voice isn’t just a creative exercise—it’s a strategic tool that can guide the entire business. When defined clearly, it brings alignment, speeds up decisions, and ensures your brand feels consistent at every touch point. It deepens connection with your fans, and gives them language to spread the word for you.
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In this interactive workshop, you'll identify the core human traits that define your brand, and distill them into a simple, memorable shorthand that simplifies decisions. You’ll walk away with shared language for decision-making and storytelling that lets you quickly decide: Is this how our brand would show up? Your entire team can use it to communicate with confidence, consistency, and authenticity—across every touchpoint.
Thursday, January 22, 2026
BREAKOUT SESSION 1​
Recreation for Rural Communities: Leveraging Recreation for Economic Growth and Community Vitality​
Recreation can transform rural economies and strengthen community identity. This session explores how the Greater Bangor Region (GBR) used the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities process to unite 21 communities, build a regional coalition, and elevate local recreation and cultural assets in alignment with Maine’s Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap. You will gain clear, practical insights and take part in a quick asset-mapping activity to spark ideas you can bring back to your own community!​
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Building Inclusive Pathways: Addressing What’s Missing in Maine’s Outdoor Economy
​Maine’s outdoor economy is thriving, yet New Mainers, first-generation youth, and people with disabilities remain largely absent from its workforce and leadership pipelines. This session highlights how Maine Community Integration is bridging that gap through culturally rooted, accessible programs that prepare underrepresented communities for careers in conservation, outdoor leadership, and environmental science. Participants will leave with practical strategies to embed equity, accessibility, and belonging into the outdoor sector, helping Maine build a workforce that reflects the full diversity and talent of its people.
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The Cost of Search and Rescue: Discussion on How/Who Can Help Fund Public and Private SAR Efforts
Search and Rescue (SAR) saves lives—but it can place major financial strain on state agencies, towns, and volunteer responders. This session will explore how SAR is funded in Maine today, where the gaps are, and what more sustainable, shared solutions could look like.
We’ll discuss New Hampshire’s Hike Safe Card program, which is generating strong participation and helping offset warden SAR costs, and consider whether a similar model could work in Maine. We’ll also dig into a key limitation of the NH approach—funds can’t support municipalities or volunteer groups—and what it would take to make funding more accessible and equitable, including ideas like a “Paddle Safe” card for paddlers who don’t contribute through registrations.
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Emerging Voices: Student Visions for Outdoor Industry Careers in Maine
As Maine’s outdoor economy continues to grow, the next generation of outdoor recreation professionals is preparing to enter the field with fresh perspectives—and clear expectations. This session brings together eight undergraduate students majoring in outdoor recreation from universities across Maine for an open, candid conversation about what they want and need from internships and early-career employment opportunities in the state.
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Through a moderated panel discussion, students will share insights into the factors that shape their decisions to apply for and accept outdoor-related positions: from pay and housing to mentorship, training, workplace culture, and opportunities for advancement. They will highlight what makes an opportunity truly meaningful, what barriers they encounter, and how employers can better support their learning, growth, and long-term engagement in Maine’s outdoor sector.
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Working with Photographers: Best Practices for Photo Rights, Access, and Use for Outdoor Businesses and Organizations
This session explores the challenges that arise when brands, photographers, and creative agencies work together—and how each party can collaborate more effectively. Using real-world scenarios, this discussion will examine common friction points including creative alignment, briefing and expectations, usage and licensing, budgets and timelines, approval processes, and feedback dynamics. The session offers insight into how brands evaluate photographers, how agencies manage creative on behalf of clients, and where misunderstandings most often occur. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for clearer communication, stronger creative partnerships, and workflows that balance brand objectives with photographic vision to achieve better outcomes for everyone involved.
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Generously Sponsored by
BREAKOUT SESSION 2​
Emerging Trends & Opportunities in Outdoor Recreation: Gravel Cycling
​Join us for an engaging discussion on the evolution and momentum of gravel riding across the state. Panelists will explore emerging trends, the development of new routes and events, and how partnerships between advocacy groups, land stewards, and local communities. From statewide event series and guided gravel weekends to grassroots community rides and the rise of bikepacking culture, this conversation will dive into what’s driving interest, who’s getting involved, and how Maine is positioning itself as a national hub for gravel adventure tourism. Attendees will gain insight into how this activity supports local recreation economies, connects people to the outdoors, and inspires new riders of all ages. Whether you’re a cyclist, an outdoor industry professional, or simply curious about this growing movement, this session offers a dynamic look at the present and future of gravel cycling in Maine.
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Emerging Trends & Opportunities in Outdoor Recreation: Disc Golf
This session will be discussion-based conversation highlighting disc golf as an accessible, low-cost outdoor recreation asset with growing relevance for municipalities. We can explore participation and growth, the role of disc golf in building community, and how thoughtfully designed courses and programming can activate public spaces, support local economies, and expand access to outdoor recreation.
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Emerging Trends & Opportunities in Outdoor Recreation: Boating
Panelists will discuss what boating might look like for the next generation as many current boaters (locally and nationally) are on the verge of retirement from the boating lifestyle in the coming years. Maine has ample boating opportunities but access, cost, and perceived barriers need to be overcome. Our speakers will address efforts underway to build enthusiasm for new boaters.
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Emerging Trends & Opportunities in Outdoor Recreation: Surfing
Surfing participation has surged since COVID, and Maine’s cold waters are no exception. With the growing amount of surfers in the lineup what new opportunities and challenges does this bring? How do we harness this popularity to encourage safe, inclusive environments in our Maine surf community?
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Emerging Trends & Opportunities in Outdoor Recreation: Gear Libraries
As Maine’s outdoor recreation economy continues to grow, community gear libraries are emerging as a key strategy for expanding equitable access while creating efficiency and reducing waste. This session explores how shared-gear models and the newly formed Maine Gear Library Network are meeting rising demand, lowering barriers, and engaging the new outdoor recreation enthusiasts that brands and policymakers most want to reach.
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Generously Sponsored by ​
BREAKOUT SESSION 3​
Universal Design in Action: Creating Equitable Recreation Experiences
​Drawing on over 40 years of experience in adaptive recreation, the Maine Adaptive team will share practical insights and real-world examples that illustrate how organizations and businesses across sectors can intentionally create more equitable access to their services. Attendees will gain a working understanding of how to evaluate their own programs through an accessibility lens and leave with actionable strategies to enhance access for individuals with a range of disabilities. The presentation will also touch on the importance of cross-sector partnerships, staff training, and the role of organizational culture in driving meaningful change.
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Maine Outdoor School for All: How Maine is Helping to Lead the Way in Outdoor Youth Education
Maine is now one of only four states in the nation to pass legislation intended to provide universal outdoor learning for all public school students. Currently, less than 25% of Maine middle schoolers have access to immersive outdoor programs. Supported by the landmark passage of bipartisan legislation (LD 895), the Maine Outdoor School for All (MOSFA) initiative is launching its statewide pilot in the 2025–26 school year.
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Administered by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, this initiative provides grants to certified outdoor learning centers to fund residential, 3-day/2-night experiences for students in grades 4–8. In this session, we will explore MOSFA’s coalition-driven, place-based model that aligns with Next Generation Science Standards and the 10-Year Maine Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap. Join us to learn how these transformative experiences build STEM literacy, social-emotional resilience, and career pathways in Maine’s outdoor economy—and discover how your business, organization, and community can engage with this expanding network to ensure every Maine child has a chance to experience an introduction to the wonders of Maine's outdoor spaces and environments.
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Cross-Border Opportunities: Navigating Trade Barriers and Realities for Maine Brands
Maine's outdoor recreation economy is not only recognized in the US, but also internationally. E-commerce and a shared border with Canada have increasingly enabled Maine businesses to reach customers beyond the United States. In this session, you'll hear from several Maine business owners and the Maine International Trade Center, as they chat through the realities of cross-border business in 2026 and the opportunities it can present.
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​Community Forests & Mountain Biking: Anchoring Maine’s Outdoor Recreation Economy
Community forests—locally owned, permanently protected, and open to the public—do more than conserve land. They create places where recreation thrives, visitors return, and local economies grow. In this session, Anne Read (The Trust for Public Land), Gabe Perkins (Inland Woods + Trails), and Steve Kasacek (Outdoor Sport Institute) will share how community forests strengthen recreation infrastructure, expand youth engagement, and support long-term community well-being. Walk away with practical examples and partnership pathways that show community forests aren’t just conservation projects—they’re smart, community-led investments in outdoor recreation and economic resilience.
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How AI and LLMs Work—and How They're Changing Consumer Behavior
Most conversations about AI focus on efficiency—how businesses can automate tasks and move faster. That's important. But it misses a critical shift: consumers are using AI, too. Today, roughly 65% of Americans use AI regularly to research purchases, plan travel, and compare options. That change has profound implications for how businesses are discovered, evaluated, and chosen.
In this session, we'll explain how large language models, the technology behind these tools, work. Then, we'll touch on how to use AI effectively, while remaining aware of potential risks. Finally, we'll explore what this means for marketing, selling, and building trust when AI increasingly mediates the relationship between brands and customers.
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Generously Sponsored by
Friday, January 23, 2026
BREAKOUT SESSION 4​
Trails as Community Infrastructure: Quantifying the Cultural and Economic Value of Outdoor Recreation Networks
This session presents key findings from a comprehensive analysis of the Portland Trails system, demonstrating how strategic trail development drives both economic return and community vitality. The study shows the network generates 1.375 million annual visits, supports 1,215 jobs, and contributes $141.6 million in statewide sales, while also delivering measurable social benefits—from users prioritizing physical and mental health to residents choosing neighborhoods for trail access and businesses integrating trails into workplace culture. With significant impacts on daily life, including weekly commuting that removes over 1.1 million car trips annually and youth programs that turn trails into outdoor classrooms, the session offers a replicable methodology for capturing these economic and social outcomes. Attendees will learn practical tools to quantify community cohesion and quality-of-life benefits, and to build compelling, data-driven cases for investing in trails as essential community infrastructure.​
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Land and Access Returned to Penobscot Nation Across Two Important Projects
​Come learn about two important projects that will return ancestral lands to the Penobscot Nation through partnerships with the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and the Trust for Public Land (TPL). These historic efforts include the return of 1,700 acres from AMC, along with access to their existing trust lands that was taken from the Tribe over two decades ago, as well as a much larger tract of 30,000 acres from TPL – the second being the largest land return from a US-based non-profit to a Tribal Nation in history. The TPL project not only honors the Penobscot Nation’s deep cultural and historical connection to the land but also secures a southern access route to the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. This presentation will explore the process behind these land returns, the trust-based partnerships that made them possible, the Nation’s vision for the future of the properties, and what still needs to happen to bring this historic effort to completion.
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Passing the Torch: Succession Planning and Exit Strategies for an Enduring Business​
So often we are so busy running our businesses that we don’t stop to think about what our end game might be. Join this panel to learn more about succession planning and what the different exit options might be for you and your business. Why should you be thinking about an exit and related operational considerations 2, 5 or even 10 years before you want to exit your business and how can your exit reflect your values and commitment to the Maine community? Join this session to hear from an Exit and Succession planning expert and two business owners who took different exit approaches. This session is sure to give you things to think about and an opportunity to ask plenty of questions!
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Building Career Pathways: Strategies for Growing the Outdoor Workforce
By investing in standards, training, and youth engagement, Maine has a powerful opportunity to build strong, place-based career pathways that directly support the outdoor recreation economy. This session will share high-level findings from recent student and employer surveys on career interests and in-demand skills, unveil draft standards for Career and Technical Education outdoor leadership programs, and highlight what effective school-to-career pathways can look like in practice. Through case studies participants will see how school and industry supported pipelines are preparing students for real careers in guiding, recreation management, and beyond.
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Generously Sponsored by
