March 2026 Partner Newsletter
Read Full Campaign
In This Issue:
- Travel Trends Emerging In 2026
- The Destination Summit Registration Is Open
- Partner Appreciation Party Photo Gallery
- Winter Weekdays
- Partner of the Month
- Industry News + Events
- Featured B2B Partner
- New Partners
Travel Trends Emerging in 2026
The latest Longwoods International American Travel Sentiment Study discussed key travel trends for 2026 (read here). Below are some key takeaways:
- 61% of travelers have trips planned more than 3 months in advance, while 22% have travel plans within the next 1-2 months.
- 31% of travelers indicated that they plan to spend more on travel in 2026.
- In 2026, 34% of American travelers are likely to take an overnight trip to attend sporting events, such as professional or college games.And 20% of travelers say they likely will attend a FIFA World Cup match.
- 52% of travelers plan to travel overnight to attend cultural events, such as concerts and festivals in 2026.
The Destination Summit Registration is open
Join 250+ professionals at USM’s Abromson Center for an afternoon and evening of insights, connections, and inspiration. This year, The Destination Summit blends high-impact learning with meaningful networking, all in a streamlined format designed to fit your workday.
12:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Conference
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM | Cocktail Reception
$75 for partners, $90 for non-partners
We Hosted our annual
Partner Appreciation Party
Thank you to those who attended our second annual Partner Appreciation Party. With over 90 attendees, it was a great evening of making connections and celebrating the Visit Portland community.
Thank you again to Boone’s Fish House & Oyster Room for hosting and helping make this event come to life. See below to view moments captured from the evening.
winter weekdays
It is not too late to participate in Winter Weekdays. You can still submit a deal for your dining establishment or accommodation at anytime during the program. Winter Weekdays will run Monday, January 5 -Thursday, April 30, 2026. To submit a Winter Weekdays deal, click the form below.
vIEW OUR
pARTNER OF THE MONTH
Our Partner of the Month Program highlights Visit Portland Partners who have made extraordinary efforts to support our mission.
Click here to see who we are honoring this month.
Industry News + Events
News
- United Way of Southern Maine wants to hear from you. Your voice can help shape our community’s future. Share your experiences, challenges, and hopes for the future in a one-minute survey. Take the survey here
- The Portland Jetport recently announced that 2025 was the all-time busiest year in Jetport history, with over 2.59 million passengers that flew in and out of the Jetport, breaking the record set in 2024 of 2.43 million.
Events
- Join us and the Portland Regional Chamber for the next virtual IDEAS Session: From Awareness to Action: Supporting Recovery at Work, Tuesday, March 3. Register here.
- Tourpreneur Meetup: Network with other travel industry professionals on Wednesday, March 4 at Portland Beer Hub. Register here
- Join women across Maine and beyond for the 6th annual Women’s Wave polar plunge on Saturday, March 7 at Willard Beach. This event celebrates the strength, power, and capacity of women worldwide. Learn more
- The Maine Office of Tourism is holding their virtual Quarterly Tourism Stakeholder briefing on March 11. Register here
- Portland Regional Chamber’s 2026 WE Rock! Awards will be on March 18 at USM’s McGoldrick Center. This event honors female professionals who make a powerful impact in the Greater Portland Region, like our President + CEO Lynn Tillotson. Register here
- The Maine Tourism Conference, presented by the Maine Office of Tourism and the Maine Tourism Association will be held April 28-29, at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine. Register here
fEATURED b2B PARTNER
Edgestone Staffing. A Smarter Way to Work.
Serving employers throughout New England with dedicated support for Maine, Edgestone Staffing specializes in hospitality staffing solutions that keep operations running smoothly. Learn more
