Industry Exchange Workshop - Damariscotta

Aquaculture in Shared Waters Industry Exchange Workshop
Aquaculture, tourism, and culinary/seafood industries working together

May 24, 2017, 3 p.m to 6 p.m. (Appetizers provided, cash bar)
Schooner Landing, Damariscotta

For the hundreds of small businesses along Maine’s coast, a diverse income portofolio often defines success. Meanwhile, fishermen are diversifying into aquaculture, sea farmers are interested in opening their operations to the public, and boat tour operators want to visit aquaculture farms. Chefs and caterers are responding to increased demand for local products. Tourists seek experiences that connect them to local people and places. Each of these industries would benefit from greater understanding of other business models and examples of collaboration. This is the goal of the workshop.

The following are invited to attend: aquaculture, fisheries, tourism, and culinary industry members; community development organizations, regional marketing agencies, chambers, government, and others interested in supporting collaboration across Maine's working waterfront industries.

Draft agenda

3:00 Welcome from project partners, and hosts Schooner Landing & Pemaquid Oyster Company

3:30 Opportunities and challenges of working across industries

• Overview of aquaculture in Maine | Sebastian Belle, Maine Aquaculture Association
• Oyster business owner perspective | Brendan Parsons, BP's Shuck Shack
  
• National consumer trends | Julie Qiu, In a Half Shell
  
• Chef perspective | Nancy Harmon Jenkins, food writer, and Sara Jenkins, Nina June of Rockport and Porsena of NYC
• The state of tourism in the Midcoast Region | Jenna Howard, Maine's MidCoast & Islands regional destination marketing organization
  
• Business onwer perspective | Damariscotta River Cruises

4:30 – 5:15 Timed networking

Facilitated time to share best practices, challenges, and needs, and explore opportunities for collaboration. Additional expertise on business planning, regulations, policy, and marketing will be available.

5:15 Open networking, refreshments, cash bar.

BACKGROUND

The first of two regional workshops for members of the aquaculture, tourism, culinary and fisheries industries, and related organizations, to enable members of these industries to learn from each other and explore how working together across industries can lead to increased and diversified income. [Second workshop will be in Ellsworth, Fall 2017]

Built into the 2-3 hour evening workshops will be ample time and space to explore opportunities for collaboration, including joint marketing, tour packaging and itinerary development, business tips and skills development, storytelling, farm to plate initiatives, and more.

Goals of the Aquaculture in Shared Waters Industry Exchange Workshops

• Encourage business connections among seafood producers and the tourism and culinary industries.
• Showcase models of aquaculture, fisheries, tourism, and culinary industry collaboration.
• Create space for networking and facilitated discussion.
• Help businesses in Maine’s working waterfront communities diversify.

Aquaculture in Shared Waters is a partnership of University of Maine Sea Grant and Cooperative Extension, Coastal Enterprises Inc., Maine Aquaculture Association, and Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center. Since 2013, we have trained more than 50 fishermen in the science, business, and practice of aquaculture. To date, eight participants in the “Aquaculture in Shared Waters” program have secured leases to start their own culture of shellfish and seaweed in Maine’s coastal waters and dozens more are pursuing the aquaculture business. The current course has expanded to provide opportunities to learn more about ways to connect with the tourism and culinary industries.