Visit Portland Marketing Meeting Recap

March 19, 2026

Thank you to those who were able to join us at our Sales & Marketing Meeting March 19 at the McKernan Inn at SMCC.  Once again, a BIG thank you to Joshua Hurd and Emma Downey with McKernan Inn & Events— your breakfast spread was amazing, and the oceanfront Inn offered the perfect setting for our meeting!  Another BIG thank you to Cam Peden and Tanner Skilton for sharing a presentation with us from United Way of Southern Maine.

Please enjoy these meeting minutes, as well as the United Way of Southern Maine Presentation.

United Way of Southern Maine | Cam Peden + Tanner Skilton | cpeden@uwsme.org + tskilton@uwsme.org

How It Went

Meeting Agenda

9:00AM Light refreshments

9:30AM Welcome and Introductions:
Joshua Hurd, McKernan Inn & Events

9:40AM Presentation by United Way of Southern Maine
Cam Peden, Chief People & Development Officer & Tanner Skilton, Senior Manager & Corporate Egnagement

10:40 AM Group Sales Review
• Trending Data Reviews:

Round Table Discussion

Join us at the

Destination Summit

April 8, 2026

TOURISM/HOSPITALITY UPDATES

• Cinderella Elbatanoni + Heidi Campbell | The Westin Portland Harborview: Top of the East at The Westin is launching Girl Dinner. This event will run every Tuesday through October and include a French 75, Crispy Potato Tots, and a fresh Greek Salad for $27! Keep an eye on Top of the East’s social accounts for future event updates such as jazz and DJ brunches. Heidi and Cinderella also encourage locals and visitors to visit their Spa. The Adeline Spa is open daily for hotel guests and day visitors alike!
• Cindy Juskiewicz + Joslyn Mackenzie | University of New England: UNE offers two campuses both available as year-round meeting space and in the Summer months can be fully utilized as hotel conference centers. UNE is happy to share some campus updates such as the Portland Campus’s newly appointed Osteopathic Medicine program at the Portland Campus and a College of Business at the Biddeford Campus. UNE is excited to welcome Joslyn as their new Group Sales Team member!
• Ashley Flowers | Ashley Flowers Yoga: Ashley invites everyone to dabble in a little extra happiness by joining one of her yoga classes! Ashley Flowers Yoga is offering Yoga For Good at Toad & Co. on Diamond St. April 10th and May 8th for yogis of all levels.
• Ariel Taschereau | Nonantum Resort: The Nonantum Resort is excited to open for the upcoming season May 1st! Throughout the month of May the Nonantum is promoting a Hospitality For Habitat special, offering 50% off your room rate when you make a $35 donation to Habitat for Humanity (terms & conditions apply).
• Abigail Worthing | Waterstone Properties/Rock Row: Rock Row is almost ready to announce their 2026 events calendar, keep your eyes on their socials for updates! In the meantime, Rock Row is happy to announce they will be hosting Chalk The Walk April 25th!
• Angela Tirabassi | Crestline Hotels: Crestline is excited to share that the Residence Inn by Marriott Portland Downtown’s full renovation is officially complete! The property boasts a new look and refresh in the lobby, meeting space, and rooms.
• Nicole Ashby | Prentice Hospitality Group: Prentice Hospitality Group is happy to announce Nicole’s new role promoting their full hospitality collective in Greater Portland including restaurants, Twelve and Douro, and properties such as House Island Catered by 58 Culinary. Prentice is introducing a new concierge program and is interested in connecting with fellow restaurants, activities, and experiences.
• Dean Bingham | Dean’s Sweets: Dean has everything you need for Easter chocolates, from chocolate dipped peeps to a “fluffle” of mini chocolate bunnies. Dean is excited to share he is cycling across the US as a fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis. Please reach out to Dean if you’d like to help him toward his cycling and fundraising goals!
• Parker Montano | Pine Tree helicopters: Pine Tree Helicopters is here to lift up your event! Pine Tree can accommodate up to three helicopters in a 100ft x 100ft space offering private helicopter rides, photography opportunities, and more! You can also find Pine Tree Helicopters at the Fryeburg Fair offering rides on site!
• Michelle Sarber | Portland Regency Hotel & Spa: The Portland Regency is getting geared up for the busy season with a handful of hosted events such as, a Fireside Chat Series featuring whiskey tastings at the Ironside Whiskey Bar!
• Zachary Poole + Christian Ritter | Portland Explorer + Portland Beer Hub: Portland Explorer offers tours year round, but is getting excited to reopen their fort and boat tours for the Summer Season. Portland Beer Hub is also open year round, offering Trivia on Thursdays! Portland Explorer is excited to announce their new Operations Manager, Christian Ritter.
• Jorden Nugent + Katie Shaughnessy | Experience Maine: Katie and Jordan with Experience Maine offer a wide range of event planning and execution assistance. From luxury experiences to curating itineraries, and partial to full corporate program planning, they can help with it all!

What’s Coming-Up

Upcoming Sales + Marketing Meetings

June 3, 2026 | The Nonantum Resort
October 7, 2026 | The Clarion Hotel

If you are interested in hosting a Sales + Marketing Meeting, please contact Abby Traver at abby@visitportland.com.

Have interest in hosting or presenting at an upcoming Marketing Meeting? Please reach out to Abby Traver at abby@visitportland.com.