The 2026 Maine Tourism Conference has been scheduled and will take place this spring.
The conference will take place on April 28-29 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.
The keynote speaker for this year’s conference is Barton Seaver, a chef, author and sustainability advocate best known for his work on responsible seafood and ocean-friendly food systems.
Seaver’s career spans from award-winning work as a chef in Washington, D.C., to leading efforts that are shaping the future of food systems, highlighting the connection between culinary excellence and environmental responsibility.
He served as the director of the Sustainable Seafood Initiative at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and is a National Geographic Fellow.
He has also written several books on sustainable seafood, advised governments and nonprofits, served as a member of the United States Culinary Ambassador Corps, and worked with the New England Aquarium in Massachusetts.
“Our annual tourism conference is one of the most significant gatherings of the year for Maine’s visitor economy,” said Carolann Ouellette, director of the Maine Office of Tourism. “It brings together the people, businesses, and communities that power tourism across the state to share ideas, learn from one another, and collectively shape Maine’s future as a world-class destination. We’re especially proud to be cohosting this year with the Maine Tourism Association, whose partnership and leadership strengthen our industry year-round.”
About the event
Formerly known as the Governor’s Conference on Tourism, the event has been rebranded and is now co-presented by the Maine Office of Tourism and the Maine Tourism Association.
The Maine Tourism Conference brings together leaders to advance the state’s visitor economy.
The conference will feature breakout sessions on workplace development, technology, visitor stewardship and emerging travel trends. The event will also serve as the central forum for releasing the annual tourism report and the MOT’s 2026 marketing plan and creative direction.
“By combining MOT’s destination marketing expertise with MTA’s industry leadership and extensive member network, this year’s conference strengthens statewide collaboration and expands access to resources that support Maine’s tourism businesses and communities,” said Tony Cameron, CEO of the Maine Tourism Association. The event underscores the vital role of partnership in shaping the future of Maine’s tourism brand.”