MMTA Co-Recipient 2026 Stewardship Award at Tourism Conference

ROCKPORT, Maine - Maine's tourism and hospitality leaders gathered April 28-29, 2026 at the Samoset Resort for a sold-out annual Maine Tourism Conference, the state's premier industry event. Presented by the Maine Office of Tourism (MOT) and the Maine Tourism Association (MTA), the conference convenes industry leaders from across Maine to share information, insights and strategies that shape the future of tourism in the state.

As part of the conference, the MOT and MTA presented their 2026 Stewardship Award to the LoveMaineWaters Coalition and the Maine Sea Grant; recognizing for their efforts to sustainably grow tourism in a way that supports the local economy, environment, and community. Stacey Keefer, Executive Director of the Maine Marine Trades Association, and Keri Kaczor from Maine Sea Grant accepted the award. The Coalition's work is highlighted in this Stewardship Award video created by the Conference:

The two-day conference featured a report from the Maine Office of Tourism including visitor data and economic impact information, a 2026 look ahead and how the next phase of the Forged by Nature brand platform will support the state's tourism strategy, and an update on culinary developments. The conference also included professional development sessions, industry discussions and an awards ceremony recognizing leaders across the state.

According to 2025 research presented by the Maine Office of Tourism, 14.15 million visitors spent more than $9.37 billion in Maine, generating an economic impact of $16.56 billion. The industry supported 108,800 jobs for Maine residents, underscoring tourism's continued role as a key driver of the state's economy. The data also showed growth in overnight stays in paid accommodations and longer lengths of stay, with visitor spending per trip rising more than 6% since 2024.

Maine Marine Trades Association is grateful for the support and collaboration with everyone involved in the award-winning educational campaign about marine debris prevention and responsible boating in the Gulf of Maine.