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March Newsletter / Issue 50
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If you read nothing else ...
The three most important things to know
- Register for our next MOB Scene on 3/16 hosted by Mt. Abram and Inclusive Ski Touring
- The Outdoor Recreation & Tech Start Summit by MOB, Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation, Roux Institute + Main Street Skowhegan.
- The Outdoors For All Act was introduced by Senator Collins in February
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Join Us for the March MOB Scene!
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Join us for a day of skiing at Mt. Abram or meet us afterward for some aprés at the base lodge! We’ll hear from Zach McCarthy of Inclusive Ski Touring and learn more about all the great things Mt. Abram has to offer. More details and registration here!
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Start Summit: Outdoor Recreation and Tech
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The Roux Institute, in partnership with Main Street Skowhegan, Maine Outdoor Brands, and the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation, invites you to join us for our upcoming Start Summit, the opportunity for community members to transform ideas into prototypes.
As a participant, you can expect to take part in a Design Thinking workshop, work with a team to identify a high-potential problem, learn from a current startup founder, and pitch to a panel of judges for your chance at a cash prize.
The first place team will win $3,000 and the second place team will win $2,000. This is a FREE event with no prior experience necessary!
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Senator Susan Collins introduced the Outdoors for All Act in February. The legislation, which is co-sponsored by Senator Angus King, would expand outdoor recreational opportunities in urban and low-income communities across the nation.
As our cities grow and the effects of climate change intensify, the Outdoors For All Act would allow for equitable access to the benefits of local parks—from job creation, to shade and tree cover, to clean air.
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MOB Talk: Hiring the Next Generation
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Our February MOB Talk focused on tips and strategies for hiring the next generation of outdoor industry professionals.
Amanda Hatley, founder of She Summits Company, presented a case study, and Kay Kerina with DECD joined to share information about the Maine Career Exploration Program, which offers paid career exposure opportunities for Maine youth ages 16-24.
From Hannaford mayonnaise to pre-interview guides to TikTok, a lot was covered in this engaging and informative MOB Talk. Missed it? View Recording Here.
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Maine Technology Institute’s Maine Entrepreneurial Resource Corps (MERC), is designed to help Maine businesses access reliable and affordable consulting services. Through the MERC program, MTI utilizes a database of vetted consultants to facilitate consulting projects with qualified Maine businesses. If a project is approved, MTI will pay half the project cost up to $15,000. MERC is partly funded by DECD’s Domestic Trade Program, which helps Maine businesses reach new markets in the United States. For more information, please visit the MERC webpage or contact the MERC coordinator, Emily Braley, at ebraley@mainetechnology.org.
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New! Outdoor Industry Career Newsletter
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Looking to level up your skillset, pursue a new career in the outdoor industry, or meet likeminded people who share a love for Maine's outdoors? Then sign up for our all new Outdoor Industry Career Newsletter! You'll get an email every third Thursday of the month with events, new job postings, educational programming opportunities, and even pro-tips from experienced professionals in Maine's outdoor industry.
Subscribe now (and tell a friend!) to get your name on the list.
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This Nonprofit Fosters a Supportive Space for First-Time Backcountry Skiers - "Founded by 25-year-old Zachary McCarthy, Inclusive Ski Touring invites everyone to give skinning a try.
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Chimani selected for VF Venture Foundry - Venture Foundry is an internal studio/accelerator program backed by the VF Corporation primarily focused on software-based outdoor companies.
Read More on LinkedIn >
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Inside the Race to Get Forever Chemicals Out of Raincoats - Eight companies have announced plans to transition away from PFAS in the coming years, including L.L.Bean.
Read more on Time >
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Member Spotlight:
Maine Gear Share
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Maine GearShare is excited to announce that our 2023 enrollment is open for trip-leading organizations, guides, schools, and other groups! You can learn more about our equity-based pricing model, browse our inventory, and sign up for membership by visiting our website. By becoming a member of Maine GearShare, you gain access to a large inventory of high-quality outdoor equipment and apparel, allowing you and your staff to focus on your programming and mission-driven work.
In 2022 we were excited to partner with six Maine Outdoor Brand members: L.L.Bean and Hyperlite Mountain Gear as brand partners, and Hearty Roots, Rippleffect, She Summits Co., and Teens to Trails as members. In 2023 we are eager to partner with more MOB members and expand the representation of Maine products in our inventory. Please reach out if you’re interested in membership, partnership, or other ways to get involved with program development.
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Hurricane Island Outward Bound School serves middle school, high school, gap year, and college students, as well as adults looking for wilderness adventure and Veterans from our Armed Forces.
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Moose Horn Guide Service offers year round trips for hunting, fishing and recreation. Getting kids and people involved in the outdoors more and learning more about all aspects of the outdoors in Maine.
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Scenic Drive Sales & Marketing LLC is a marketing and consulting agency for Amazon sellers run by Dan Hall, offering affordable hourly rates with experience managing products on Amazon for eight years. Born and raised in Maine, Dan loves his home state and wants to help Maine companies grow.
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Thank You to Our Supporters!
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Summit: Visit Maine, Autumn Lane Web Studios, REI
Tree Line: Machias Savings Bank, iBec Creative, Bernstein Shur
Trailhead: ShipRight, Backyard Concept LLC, SA Hutnak & Associates, CurrierBuchanan, Yarmouth Payroll Plus, KMA Human Resources Consulting, Acadia Benefits, Scenic Drive Sales & Marketing
Interested in sponsorship opportunities for 2023? Reach out to jenny@maineoutdoorbrands.com. Thank you for supporting Maine's outdoor economy!
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Maine Outdoor Brands is a member-driven alliance of outdoor product makers, experience providers, retailers and organizations invested in strengthening Maine’s $3 billion outdoor recreation economy. As champions of our state’s growing outdoor industry, we believe there is strength in numbers and aim to be a catalyst for growth. We empower outdoor businesses to thrive by providing collaborative marketing, networking, resource sharing and education in partnership with the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation.
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