Summer Report from Maine Office of Tourism

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Summer is a highly anticipated season, but one that seems to go so quickly. Now that we are past the summer solstice, we are looking ahead to Fall and how the Forged by Nature brand will shape the next chapter of telling Maine’s story. Such a big part of Maine’s story is food from the growers and makers to the cultural heritage and shared plates. Content development for the culinary campaign, Bountiful, continues to evolve. Watch for the debut of our 4-chapter video series, check out our Bountiful magazine, produced in partnership with Down East Publishing, and sign-up for the Bountiful quarterly e-newsletter. 

 

Our team brought the tastes of Maine to the Aspen Food & Wine Classic, one of the culinary world's most celebrated events since 1983 that draws thousands of food and travel enthusiasts. The Maine team shared bites, pours, and stories featuring Maine seafood, produce, and makers. The craft and authenticity of the Maine brand was on strong display throughout the Classic, with several Maine-based exhibitors and Jordan Rubin, a Portland chef, highlighted as a Food & Wine Best New Chef.

 

Some exciting media content partnerships with renowned media outlets like Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, Nativo and more continue to deliver in-depth stories, photos and videos across multiple platforms, amplifying Maine’s presence in front of highly engaged audiences. New this year is our partnership with Calm, the #1 app for meditation, relaxation and sleep to create a suite of immersive experiences showcasing the restorative power of Maine’s woods and waters. This partnership is designed to inspire Calm users to see Maine as a space to reflect, rejuvenate, and reconnect with themselves and loved ones building on the popularity of wellness-oriented travel.

 

Maine will have strong representation at the Destinations International Annual Convention and the Visitor Services Summit this July. On tap for next month is US Travel Association’s ESTO which will also have attendees from Maine. Both conferences will provide us incredible opportunities for networking with peers as well as the latest travel and tourism trends, research insights, and national visitor center learnings designed to “spark bold ideas and keep us ahead of the competition.”

 

We are fortunate to have great relationships with our state agency partners. Be sure to take a look at some of their wonderful programs and events, and sign-up for their e-news. Here are a few highlights: the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife’s 2026 Nature Quest Program, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry’s 2026 Open Farm Day, and Bureau of Parks & Lands Junior Ranger Program, and always remember to Look Out for ME.

Spring 2026 Maine Tourism Marketing Partnership Program (MTMPP)
Grant Awards Announced The Maine Office of Tourism has awarded $328,893.25 in Spring 2026 MTMPP grants across Enterprise Marketing, Maine Communities, and Special Event categories. These grants support tourism related non-profit organizations advancing marketing initiatives and community driven projects that strengthen Maine’s statewide tourism economy. Learn more.

2026 Resident Sentiment Towards Sporting Events
The 2025 Resident Sentiment Towards Sporting Events National Benchmark Study by Cimarron Global Solutions and Longwoods International is the first national report of its kind in the United States, offering a comprehensive look into how residents perceive sporting events held in their communities. Learn more. 

Northern Border Regional Commission Fall Funding Round Details

The Northern Border Regional Commission’s fall funding round opens July 27, 2026, with pre‑applications and waiver requests due August 21 and full applications due October 16. Grant awards will be announced in December. NBRC’s Catalyst, Forest Economy, and Timber for Transit programs support rural economic development, forest‑sector innovation, and the use of domestic wood products in transportation infrastructure. Learn more.

Originally posted by York Region Chamber of Commerce via Locable