Maine bicentennial opportunities abound, hospitality industry told

Courtesy / Kathleen Pierce Some 250 members of HospitalityMaine, which represents the state's lodging and restaurant industry, gathered at Suglarloaf, in Carrabassett Valley, Monday and Tuesday for the organization's annual summit.

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By Maureen Milliken

Celebrations surrounding Maine’s bicentennial, as well as other events happening in the state over the next 18 months, will provide an expanse of opportunity for the state’s restaurant and lodging industries, members of HospitalityMaine were told Tuesday.

“You’re the important contact people for everybody coming to Maine, and everybody moving around Maine,” David Cheever, state archivist and vice chair of the state’s Bicentennial Committee, told the gathering.

HospitalityMaine represents more than 1,000 people in the lodging and restaurant industries, and more than 250 attended the conference, held Monday and Tuesday at Sugarloaf, in Carrabassett Valley.

Maine was ranked the “fourth most interesting place” in the U.S. for tourists from other countries by Lost Planet recently. “There’s a reason for that,” Cheever said.

The bicentennial celebration, which began earlier this year, celebrates the 200th anniversary of Maine voting to separate from Massachusetts and will continue through next year.

Not only will related events rely on the hospitality industry, Cheever said, but tangential ones, like a U.S. Navy aircraft visit to Rockland next summer, and the National Governors Association gathering in Portland.

Events next year that will be key for the hospitality industry include:

The Bicentennial Parade, on May 16, in Auburn and Lewiston, said to be the largest parade ever in the state’s history, and featuring a multi-generational band of 400 musicians from all over the state.
A visit from Tall Ships of America, which will sail to Camden, Rockport, Bucksport and other state ports beginning July 16, before gathering in Portland July 20.
Visits of U.S. Navy ships to the Lobster Festival, in Rockland, July 29 to Aug. 3.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team visiting Brunswick Landing in August.
The National Governors Association visiting Portland Aug. 5-7.

'This could be a lot of fun'

Cheever said that all the events will not only draw participants who need to eat and need places to stay, but also an audience from both in state and from away.

The governors association meeting, in particular, will mean that lodging businesses in the Portland area and beyond will have to step up to create a secondary market. Cheever said the NGA demands that the host state free up hotel rooms for the governors and their entourages. Those who have already made reservations “will literally be dislodged."

“The whole area around Portland will feel the impact," he said, which opens up a big opportunity for the area, and beyond.

City venues will also be available for functions, and he said groups should think out of the box and take advantage of it.

Smaller events related to the bicentennial across the state will also be a big draw.

Cheever noted that Maine was built on innovation and an independent spirits who took a chance when they had a vision. “They were ingenious enough to take what Maine has and do something with it,” he said. “You’re the embodiment of that that, so get involved."

“This could be a lot of fun,” he added. “It’s an opportutity to welcome not only the world, but your neighbors.”