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2026 Agenda

(subject to change)

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Exhibitor Load-In
12:00 pm
Registration Opens & Boxed Lunch Pick-Up
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Educational Workshops 1
Wisdom Meets What's Next: A Generational Dialogue on Tourism Leadership - Lynn Tillotson, Visit Portland; Connie Russell, The Samoset Resort; Steve DiMillo, Dimillo's on the Water; Erick Anderson,Bay View Collection; Casey Frye, Waterfront Concerts; Khadija El Barkaoui, Coelle Travel; Bailey Underhill, Maine Tourism Association; Moderated by Lisa Sturgeon, Husson University
How to Get the Most Out of the Maine Brand  - Mark Benjamin and
Ari Miel, Naretiv; PJ Yesawich, Miles Partnership; Whitney Raymond, Marshall Communications
Get to Know Your Tourism Region - Hannah Collins, Maine Office of Tourism and Representatives from Maine's 8 Tourism Regions
2:15 pm - 3:45 pm
Educational Workshops 2
Meet the Wabanaki Cultural Tourism Initiative - Tracey Perry and Sarah Woog, Four Directions Development Corporation
Workforce Research/Campaign Presentation - Chris Adams, Miles Partnership
International Travel-Trade - Julie Heizer, International Inbound Travel Association
4:45 pm - 5:15 pm
2026 Maine Office of Tourism &
Maine Tourism Association Awards Ceremony
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm
Welcome Reception

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

6:30 am - 7:30 am
Morning Wellness
7:30 am - 8:30 am
Registration, Breakfast & EXPO Open
8:30 am - 9:00 am
Welcome!
9:00 am - 9:45 am
Keynote: Nicole Porter, US Travel Association
9:45 am - 10:15 am
Coffee Break & EXPO
10:15 am - 11:15 am
Breakout Session 1
Tourism for All - The Practice of Welcome - Ava Wells, Destinations International

Beyond the Visible: Welcoming Travelers with Cognitive, Neurodevelopmental, and Hidden Disabilities - Alexandria Sukeforth, Outdoor Access Solutions

Changing Perspectives, Growing Tourism: The Power of Inclusive Creators - Juan Vargas, Miles Partnership

How Visitor Information Centers Influence the In-Destination Travel Experience - Led by Jane Anderson, Maine Tourism Association & Maine State Visitor Information Center in Kittery

Advocacy in Action: How to Engage - Nate Cloutier, Hospitality Maine; Curtis Picard, PCD Collective; Jason Clay, Governor's Restaurant & Bakery; Jean Ginn Marvin, The Nonantum Resort
11:15 am - 11:30 am
Break
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Breakout Session 2
Lights, Camera, Collaboration - Hosting Film Productions in Maine -Steve Lyons, Maine Film Office; Diana Norwood, Freelance Location Manager; Erik Burbank, Location Manager

Look Out for Maine 2.0 - Encouraging Responsible Visitation -Hannah Collins, Maine Office of Tourism; Jeff McCabe, Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation; Hanna Lester, Miles Partnership

Building Maine's Workforce: A Model for Career Pathways in Tourism, Hospitality, and Outdoor Recreation Businesses -
Kathryn Ference, MTA; Noah Kleiner, Equinox Guiding Service; Seth Walton, MidCoast School of Technology; Nicki Bean, Biddeford Regional Technical Center; Rebecca Johns, The Lincoln Hotel

Beyond Game Day: Turning Maine Sports Fans into Maine Travelers -Chris Cameron, Portland Seadogs; Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, Hearts of Pine; Adam Goldberg, Maine Mariners; Dave Eid, MGME

From Concept to Community Impact: Leading Destination Transformation - Lisa Sturgeon, Husson University; Risteen Bahr, Bangor Historical Society; Anne Krieg, City of Bangor; EJ Roach, Town of Orono
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Keynote: AI and Tourism: How It's Changing Travelers and How It's Changing Our Work - Janette Roush, Brand USA
2:30 pm - 2:45 pm
Dessert Break
2:45 pm - 3:15 pm
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm
Maine Office of Tourism Report - Maine Office of Tourism,
Downs & St. Germain Research, Miles Partnership
Closing Words
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