The 2026 Maine Outdoor Economy Summit was a fantastic experience for THOR faculty and students from the University of Maine System. With a record number of attendees (400+), this year’s event was held at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland, Maine, and held a few fun surprises, including a visit from Senator Angus King!
The University of Maine System was proud to be represented by four students who shared their insights on a panel called “Emerging Voices: Student Visions for Outdoor Industry Careers in Maine,” while THOR faculty member Dr. John Daigle (UMaine – Orono) spoke on a panel about the land return work being undertaken collaboratively between the Penobscot Nation and Maine land conservation organizations.
The keynote presentation by Robin Thurston, the CEO of Outside Interactive, Inc., highlighted the importance of why this type of work is so critical for getting people outdoors.
“[The keynote presentation] left me feeling inspired to keep doing this work,” said Dr. Lauren Jacobs, THOR faculty member at the University of Maine (Orono).
The THOR Institute looks forward to exploring and collaborating more in the future to support the Maine Outdoor Economy with partners near and far!