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Gearing Up For Summer: Mental Health in Hospitality Workshop, Chili Chowder Cookoff, Maine Tourism Association Leadership Academy & More!

A whole host of beneficial and supportive events coming up to help the hospitality industry thrive in Maine!

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Nio DiPietrantonio, Garrett Kennedy & Mary Foreman
April 29, 2025

Hello Hospitality Folks!

As the days grow warmer, so does our commitment to fostering mental health and resilience within Maine’s hospitality industry. We’re thrilled to share updates on upcoming workshops, events, and initiatives that bring us closer to our mission. Let’s dive in!


Upcoming Events:

Serving Up Wellness: Mental Health in Hospitality Workshop
🗓 When: May 29, 2025 , 88 Wavus Point Road, Jefferson, Maine 04348
 📍 Where: Maine Food Convergence Project
Join us as we explore mental health challenges and solutions tailored for hospitality workers. Together, we’ll foster understanding and resilience in our industry! Register for the Convergence Here!

Chili-Chowder Cookoff! Fundraiser Save-The-Date
🗓 When: June 21st
 📍 Where: The Grande, South Portland
Warm up your taste buds! All proceeds will go towards creating The Hospitality Relief & Resilience Fund, a micro-grant initiative offering immediate financial support to hospitality workers in need. There will be a $300 gift card prize for the winner! To compete, there is a $25 entry fee/donation. More details to come. For parties interested in participating, please contact Angela Fall at [email protected].

For questions or more information, please feel free to email us at [email protected]! We hope to see you there. Once more details are confirmed, we’ll send out another dedicated email. ❤️

Responsible Beverage Server Training
🗓 When: May 21st
 📍 Where: Nonantum Resort
Hosted by The Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition, this essential training ensures safe and responsible service practices. Follow this link to register for the free event!

Maine Tourism Leadership Academy
 Are you ready to cultivate the next generation of leaders in your tourism or hospitality business? The Maine Tourism Leadership Academy is a leadership program tailored specifically for your current frontline supervisors and high-performing employees ready to step into their first leadership role within your organization. 

This program is uniquely designed for the tourism and hospitality industry, combining online coursework with a two-day in-person retreat to create a flexible yet deeply impactful learning experience. Through hands-on roleplays, real-world case studies, and industry-specific scenarios, your employees will gain the practical skills and confidence to lead teams, solve challenges, and deliver exceptional guest experiences.


The deadline to register for the Summer cohort is May 5th, 2025. Follow this link to register now!

Recovery-Friendly Workplace Workshop
🗓 When: Jun 6, 2025 09:00 AM
 📍 Where: Zoom (Hosted by The Pinetree Institute and Project Alliance)
This workshop will guide businesses in creating recovery-friendly workplaces, offering tools and strategies to support employees in recovery. The Recovery Friendly Workplace: Maine program is essential for hospitality businesses. By fostering supportive environments, we can reduce stigma, promote wellness, and empower employees in recovery. This initiative is a vital step toward creating a compassionate and thriving hospitality industry in Maine. To register for the free webinar, follow this link!

Spotlight Initiative:

The Hospitality Relief & Resilience Fund
We’re in the process of creating and launching a micro-grant initiative to provide financial assistance to hospitality workers in Maine facing unexpected hardships. Your support makes this possible—thank you for helping us build a stronger, more resilient community! Stay tuned for more information as we continue the creation process.

Did You Know?

HospitalityMaine offers Continuing Education and Career Support tailored to hospitality industry workers and professionals at all levels! These programs provide opportunities for skill-building, professional development, and career advancement.
Explore their helpful resources here: HospitalityMaine Continuing Education & Career Support Resources

How You Can Get Involved:

  • Volunteer: Help us at events or behind the scenes. Volunteer Interest Form

  • Spread the Word: Share our mission with your network!

Closing Note:

Thank you for being part of our journey. Together, we’re creating a brighter future for Maine’s hospitality community. Stay connected with us on social media and visit our website for updates and resources!

With Love & Hospitality,
The Serving Up Support: Maine Team