PHOTO / RUSS DILLINGHAM
Chris Fogg, former president of the Maine Tourism Association, died unexpectedly over the weekend.
Updated: September 15, 2020
Chris Fogg, prominent chamber and tourism leader, dies unexpectedly at 54
By Staff
Chris Fogg, former head of the Maine Tourism Association and of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce, died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Sept. 12.
He was 54.
Fogg took the helm at the Maine Tourism Association in 2015, after eight years as executive director of the Bar Harbor chamber.
The association provides services for the state Office of Tourism and the state Department of Transportation, and plays a key role in marketing. With 1,600 business members, it produces travel planners, the “Maine Invites You” guide, maps, a website and social media promotions. It also operates visitor information centers throughout Maine.
During Fogg's tenure, association activities included creating a staffing service for members, designed to recruit workers from other states as well as help seasonal businesses form partnerships to share workers.
The service began in response to Maine’s labor shortage, Fogg told Mainebiz.
Last year, he was elected to the U.S. Travel Association’s board of directors as an at-large director for 2019-21, with the goal of advocating for the importance of the Maine tourism industry and to continue to build awareness of the economic benefits and workforce opportunities that travel and tourism create.
Fogg resigned from the association last December.
In a Facebook post, Fogg’s successor at the association, Tony Cameron, wrote, “Chris was truly passionate about tourism and was genuinely dedicated to promoting our industry. He strove to make MTA the best organization it could be for its members, employees, and visitors. Chris created a collaborative and hard-working office environment but one that always had plenty of laughter and fun.”
Alf Anderson, executive director of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce, wrote in a Facebook post, “Chris was a hard-working, passionate leader in our community. His expertise in the tourism industry and professional leadership helped shape our chamber into the organization it is today and for that, we are all extremely grateful.”
Fogg was born in Peterborough, N.H., and grew up in New Ipswich, N.H., according to his obituary. Fogg, who lived in Farmingdale, is survived by his wife Erin and two sons.
After living in Florida and California, he settled back in New England and began a long career in hospitality and tourism. Before moving to Maine, his career included almost eight years of management experience with Boston-based Sage Hotels Inc.; a position as director of the Vermont State Sports Council; and director of marketing for the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce in Burlington, Vt., according to the MTA website.
Fogg enjoyed golf, snowmobiling and travel, and had fond memories of trips to China, Alaska and the Dominican Republic.
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Anonymous
September 27, 2020
Chris was a consummate professional and a real gentleman. We at Marshall Communications are devastated about his untimely passing.
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