Sector Spotlights events feature industry leaders who will share the latest in innovation and collaboration, while providing partnership opportunities through in-person connections.
Lunch & Learn
Thursday, March 6, 2025
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Dolce Amici, 427 Main Street, Norway ME 04268
Members-only event
No charge
Lunch provided
Event Schedule
11:30 – Networking
12:00 – Program Presentation: Maine’s Growing and Increasingly Global Outdoor Recreation Economy
12:45 – Q&A
1:00 – Networking
Maine’s outdoor recreation economy is worth over $3 billion, and the industry is growing faster than Maine’s overall economy. The sector includes manufacturers, experience providers, retailers, and other organizations throughout the state. From Maine Outdoor Brands to the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation, Maine boasts a supportive ecosystem for outdoor recreation entrepreneurs and provides opportunities for collaboration and innovative partnerships.
Program topics covered will include:
- Introduction to Maine Outdoor Brands and the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation
- Summary of Maine’s new Outdoor Recreation Roadmap goals and objectives
- Opportunities and challenges with introducing Maine outdoor recreation products to international markets
- Sample successes for several Maine outdoor brands in international markets
- Discover New England and regional representation
- Maine’s tradition of international tourism and future trends
Networking
Thursday, March 13, 2025
4:00 – 6:00 PM
The Barn at Woodlawn, 21 Black House Drive, Ellsworth, ME 04605
MITC members $10 / Non-members $25
Hors d’oeuvres and cash bar
You're Invited - Come Early for the Tour
2:30 – 3:30 PM
Tempshield, Inc., 23 Industrial Way, Trenton, ME
The cryogenic gloves made by Tempshield offer protection from extreme contact cold applications, down to -300° Fahrenheit. A worldwide leader in the industry, the company was honored as MITC’s Exporter of the Year in 2024. The company has been selling overseas for decades with international sales making up 50% of its business. Every phase of production, from development to distribution, happens in Maine. Recently, the company launched its first consumer line called Mainers™, offering high performance gloves and mittens for winter’s harsh temperatures in Maine and beyond.
SPONSORED BY
Meet Our Lunch & Learn Speakers
Ponch Membreño
Commercial Director for Mainers, Tempshield, Inc.
Ponch Membreño started his 3-decade career in the outdoors as an outdoor educator and wilderness trip leader. He later applied those leadership experiences to work in business and management on the business side of the outdoor industry for companies like Patagonia and Toad&Co. He’s an innovative and strategic leader, focused on engaging with and distilling an organization’s mission. Ponch is currently the Commercial Director of Mainers – a premium brand of mitts and gloves under Tempshield, Inc. – focused on Brand and Sales. He is also a board member of Maine Outdoor Brands, The Chewonki Foundation, and Portland Parks Conservancy.
Kerrie Tripp
Director of Product & Sales, Discover New England
Kerrie Tripp has over 23 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry and brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to her role. She was named Director of Product & Sales at Discover New England in January of 2023. Her prior position was the Director of Tourism & Hospitality Marketing for Sutherland Weston Marketing Communications in Bangor, Maine, where she worked to grow a division dedicated to the tourism industry. Previously, she was the Executive Director for the Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau for 20 years where she managed partnerships with programs in Maine and Atlantic Canada and represented Greater Bangor, The Maine Highlands, and New England at various trade and industry events.