Announcing the first-ever
Maine Working Waterfront Conference!
Bar Harbor, November 12-13, 2026
Atlantic Oceanside Hotel & Event Center
Maine’s working waterfronts are a critical part of our state’s economy, community, identity, and heritage. Maine is nationally recognized as a leader in this arena. While the stewardship of and investment in Maine’s working waterfronts is at an all-time high, the challenges have never been more acute. Storms, sea level rise, gentrification, conversion, maintenance, and other challenges demand the sharing of creative solutions to protect working waterfronts and our coastal communities.
The November 12-13, 2026 conference will focus on working waterfronts as they support the seafood economy and all the services that sustain this sector.
join us to:
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
agenda
Through a mix of keynote addresses, plenary sessions, panel presentations, and discussions, the event will be designed to showcase real stories, provide tools and resources you can put to work in your own community or on your property, and create shared opportunities for learning about and planning for the challenges facing Maine’s working waterfronts. In addition the event will feature a Maine seafood happy hour and reception, sponsor expo, field trips showcasing Mount Desert Island’s working waterfronts, and an opportunity to sit in on a co-located meeting of the Maine Working Waterfront Council.
Field trip options include:
Participants will contribute to a Sense of the Conference document which will be released after the event, providing a snapshot in time of the priority issues and strategies for Maine’s working waterfronts going forward.
Check back here often for updates on the conference schedule, speaker profiles, and field trips. You can also sign up here to receive announcements via the Maine Working Waterfront Coalition listserv.
registration
Registration will open in late August.
Space is limited. We encourage you to register early in order to secure your spot and take advantage of the discounted rate. Please note that all conference activities are in-person.
If registration fees are a barrier to attendance, please reach out to Kathy Villarreal (kvillarreal@maine.edu), as attendee support may be available.
sponsorship opportunities
Support Maine’s working waterfronts by sponsoring the inaugural Maine Working Waterfront Conference! Your contribution helps ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation, while connecting your organization to a statewide network of leaders and practitioners.
Why Sponsor?
Please indicate interest by September 15th, 2026 to be included in conference materials. If you have questions about conference sponsorship, email Annie Fagan at annie.fagan@maine.edu
location & lodging
By November, Bar Harbor’s tourism season is slowing down, road traffic is dissipating, and Mount Desert Island’s waterfronts are transitioning to winter activities. The scallop season is about to open, lobstering is in full swing through the holidays, and oyster farms will soon be sunk for overwintering. It is a great time to come to Bar Harbor!
All conference events will take place at the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel and Event Center at 119 Eden Street (Route 3), Bar Harbor, ME 04609.
We have secured a hotel room block for those wishing to spend the night, or even 2 days before or after. You may also book your room online directly through Atlantic Oceanside’s website outside of the block.
Parking is available on site at no extra fee for all conference participants.
For more information on traveling to Bar Harbor:
Attendance support
We know that mileage, lodging and/or registration costs often present a challenge for conference attendees. Thanks to the support of the generous sponsors below, we may have some funds available to cover these costs for those who may need it!
Please reach out to Kathy Villarreal (kvillarreal@maine.edu) if you want to learn more about attendance support. Requests will be reviewed on a rolling basis as funds become available.
student opportunities
We are looking for undergraduate volunteers to serve as session note-takers and help in various other ways. You’ll help document session themes, ideas and hot topics discussed at the conference. These will contribute to a Sense of the Conference document to be released after the event. All student contributors will be credited for their work.
Please reach out to Natalie Springuel nspringuel@coa.edu if you are interested!
contact
For more information or questions regarding the 2026 Maine Working Waterfront Conference, please reach out to our team:
Thank you to our generous sponsors for making this event possible!
Financial assistance for this project was provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and Maine’s annual Coastal Zone Management award (CZM NA24NOSX419C0024) administered by the Office for Coastal Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
