It’s been a busy year for the THOR Institute!
The THOR Institute strives to expand its outreach with community engagement and professional development opportunities within and beyond the state of Maine. We’ve had a busy year in 2025 with conferences, events, and experiences that have allowed us to connect more deeply with students and educators, emerging leaders, industry partners, and community members to ensure that our programming is responsive, robust, and dynamic.
The THOR Institute participated in The Maine Tourism Conference in Bangor in April and connected with industry partners and leaders, who are leading the way in shaping the future of tourism in Maine with an emphasis on destination stewardship.
In June, The THOR Institute was thrilled to host its second Vacationland Conference at the University of Maine at Orono for students and educators who were interested in learning more about academic and professional pathways in tourism and hospitality. We were joined by the Chancellor from the University of Maine System, Dannel Malloy, as well as industry experts and leaders, including: Jeff McCabe from the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation; Brian Threlkeld from Maine Outdoor Brands, Matt Polstein from New England Outdoor Center; LeRae Kinney from Ignite PI; Chiara Moriconi from the Maine Office of Tourism; and Tracy Willette from Bangor Parks & Recreation.
In October, we had the opportunity to participate in the Wabanaki Cultural Tourism Conference at the University of Maine, as well as the 2025 World Tourism Day Forum in Dennis Port, Massachusetts, in November.
In November, the THOR Institute came together for its annual retreat at the University of Maine at Presque Isle and in Caribou to strategically plan for upcoming academic programming. It was a great opportunity to come together in person in the Northern Maine communities and work toward developing a shared vision for the future.
In 2026, The THOR Institute will continue to participate in and host community outreach events and professional development opportunities to steward the future of tourism in Maine. We look forward to seeing you at the next event!