Virtual Kegs & Issues: The Outlook for Maine's Outdoor Economy

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Wednesday, January 27, 2021 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST

Virtual Kegs & Issues: The Outlook for Maine's Outdoor Economy with Maine Outdoor Brands, Rippleffect, L.L.Bean, and Shawnee Peak

Join the Portland Regional Chamber for our January Kegs & Issues! This month we'll focus on the current state of Maine’s outdoor industry - how the pandemic has impacted businesses, the future outlook, and why we should all embrace winter!

Heavy hitters from the industry will be joining the discussion: Jenny Kordick, Executive Director, Maine Outdoor Brands; Adam Shepherd, Executive Director, Rippleffect; Charlie Bruder, VP Merchandising, L.L.Bean; and Geoff Homer, VP, Shawnee Peak. Each will share how the pandemic has shifted their operations and affected the demand for outdoor equipment and experiences as a whole.

Brief Q&A will follow the discussion. This webinar will be recorded and a replay made available.

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*While the Chamber will continue to provide virtual events FREE of charge, we are offering attendees the opportunity to make voluntary contributions for our Signature Events during registration.

These donations will help provide the Chamber with the resources needed to best support our members and community as we all continue to navigate these challenging times.

Moderator

Jenny Kordick, Executive Director, Maine Outdoor Brands

Jenny is Executive Director of Maine Outdoor Brands, the alliance of Maine's outdoor product, service, and retail companies founded in 2017. For over a decade in Washington DC and Maine, she has worked with companies and organizations to grow the outdoor recreation economy and ensure that more people have the chance to enjoy the outdoors.

Panelist

Adam Shepherd, Executive Director, Rippleffect

Adam Shepherd is the Executive Director for Rippleffect--a nonprofit wilderness education program based out of Portland and Cow Island that works with over 5,000 Mainers each year--sea kayaking, backpacking, rock climbing, alpine mountaineering, ice climbing and more. Adam has worked in recreation and outdoor education for over 20 years as a director of a private children's sleepaway camp in the Adirondacks, lead instructor for REI, and Maine Registered Guide. Adam first started with Rippleffect as a guide in the summer of 2012 while on a summer break from his graduate studies and then returned in May of 2013 as the Director of Advancement before taking on the role of Executive director in January of 2016.

Charlie Bruder, VP Merchandising, L.L.Bean

Charlie moved to Falmouth in 2014 from Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife and two children. A veteran of the retail industry, he has worked in merchandising for Abercrombie & Fitch, Timberland, Wolverine Worldwide and now oversees Hunt, Fish, Home and Travel for L.L.Bean. When not on the Falmouth trails, Charlie and his family enjoy skiing, hiking, biking, fishing, golf, and just about everything on the water.

Geoff Homer, VP, Shawnee Peak

Geoff was born in Portland has lived and worked in Maine for half his life. He loves experiencing all aspects of the four seasons in Maine with his family, from the mountains to the ocean. It goes without saying that Geoff is an avid skier, he grew up ski racing across New England and then briefly at Middlebury College in Vermont. Nowadays, Geoff participates in both lift-serviced and human powered (uphill) skiing as much as possible. He has experience in financial services and real estate. Geoff and his family have owned Shawnee Peak since 1994, Shawnee Peak is one of the few remaining family-owned ski mountains in New England and is the largest night skiing area in New England.