MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: As you are reading this column this is the third day of a three-day “Discover New England (DNE) Tourism Summit and International Marketplace.” It is taking place in Portland. What is DNE? Their work focuses on:

— Raising international consumer, travel trade, and media awareness of New England as a memorable, high-quality, four-season destination.

— Educating the New England hospitality business on how to work with and generate new business from the international market.

— Expanding the New England product offered by international tour operators and U.S. receptives and helping them set up itineraries, market the region, and contract accommodations.

More than 400 travel and tourism businesses, destination marketing organizations, and tour operators from eight different countries are being welcomed and courted for their business during the summit. Did you know that international travel brought $180.7 billion in direct spending to the United States economy during 2013? That figure is provided by our Maine Office of Tourism.

By way of its membership and participation in the Mid Coast Council of Chambers (MC3), Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber is supporting this event. We are happy to partner with the chambers located from our region north along the coast to Searsport.

This summit is unique in that it is the only travel trade event in New England where our MC3 representatives can meet one-on-one with tour operators who serve key overseas markets. Appointments for these meetings are assured. Last year, almost 5,000 meetings were held. So the impact of attending the summit is huge. These operators arrange trips for tens of thousands of international travelers each year. Your chamber is part of this effort to showcase what our Mid-coast region offers to visitors.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

— The third annual Hacker’s Ball Golf Tournament is May 8 at the Brunswick Golf Club. This year’s tournament is organized by SMMC’s young professionals, The Mid Coast Edge, and will benefit the chamber’s educational initiatives. Come stretch those muscles after the long winter and try out the air cannon. Sponsors are Brunswick Golf Club, McLeod/Ascanio, Sitelines, Dead River Co., Hancock Lumber, PFBF CPAs, Oxford Networks, Northeast Bank, ServPpro Bath/Brunswick, Brunswick Hotel & Tavern, Sullivan Chiropractic, Northern Benefits, Bath Savings Institution, Norway Savings, Management Accounting in New England.

— Sebasco Harbor Resort hosts the May 27 Chamber After Hours at its beautiful seaside location. Chamber After Hours are open house-style events from 5- 7 p.m. and provide the best regional networking. Make new connections, gather business leads and reconnect with business owners. The event is free of charge and all chamber member owners, managers and employees are invited. Please pre-register for all events at www.midcoastmaine.com.

OUR MEMBERS: SMMC proudly serves 700 businesses and organizations in the following communities: Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Dresden, Edgecomb, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Westport Island, Wiscasset and Woolwich. Our members represent 132 varied business sectors. Find them all on our website at wwwmidcoastmaine.com.