2026 Umaine blue economy CAreer summit
Join students, employers, researchers, and industry leaders from across Maine’s marine and coastal sectors for a one-day event focused on career pathways, workforce development, and innovation in the blue economy.
This event is made possible with generous support from the Alton ’38 and Adelaide Hamm Campus Activity Fund
Connect With Experts. Share Your Research. Launch Your Blue Future.
Maine is a national leader in the marine and coastal sectors, with a dynamic Blue Economy powered by innovation, research, and industry leadership. The University of Maine Blue Economy Career Summit brings together students, employers, researchers, and professionals from across Maine’s marine and coastal sectors for a one-day event focused on career pathways, workforce development, and connecting with future employers.
This one-day Summit builds on the momentum of the Maine Blue Economy Innovation Summit, expanding the focus to highlight workforce needs, emerging career opportunities, and student talent across the University of Maine System and partner organizations.
Participants will engage in interactive programming designed to connect talent with opportunity, including:
Registration
Reserve Your Spot Today!
Registration includes access to all sessions, breakfast, and lunch.
Space is limited—please register early to secure your place.
Please contact Katrina Armstrong, katrina.armstrong@maine.edu with questions about accessibility or accommodations.
Submit an abstract to feature your work with a talk or poster!
Open to University of Maine students. The deadline to submit a talk abstract for our competitive student talk series is Wednesday March 18th, 2026 at 5:00pm.
Graduate Category:
🥇 1st Place – $1000
🥈 2nd Place – $500
🥉 3rd Place – $250
Undergraduate Category:
🥇 1st Place – $500
🥈 2nd Place – $250
🥉 3rd Place – $150
The deadline to submit a poster abstract is Wednesday March 18th, 2026 by 5:00pm.
Selected presenters will be notified of acceptance by email by Wednesday, March 18th.
agenda
The day will include a panel discussion featuring university researchers and marine industry leaders, a student talk competition, breakout sessions, and poster presentations. series of lightning talks on cutting-edge marine and coastal innovations.
Agenda Highlights
- Panel Discussion: Advice for Building a Career in the Blue Economy, Moderated by Jake Ward, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Innovation and Engagement, University of Maine
- Competitive Student Talk Series: Undergraduate Students
- Career Fair & Networking Lunch
- Competitive Student Talk Series: Graduate Students
- Breakout Sessions: Career Pathways by Sector
- Track A: Aquaculture & Fisheries
- Track B: Coastal & Ocean Engineering and Marine Technology
- Track C: Policy, Communication, and Community Engagement
- Track D: Tourism, Recreation, and Coastal Economies
- Poster Session & Networking
- Closing Remarks & Award Announcements
sponsorship opportunities
Support Workforce Development. Elevate Your Brand. Connect with Maine’s Future Blue Economy Workforce.
We welcome sponsors who are passionate about advancing marine science, coastal resilience, workforce development, and sustainable economic growth in Maine. As a sponsor, your organization will gain visibility among a dynamic cross-sector audience and demonstrate your commitment to a thriving and resilient future Blue Economy workforce.
Sponsorship Benefits May Include:
Purchase an expo table to showcase your company to future employees.
For more information on sponsorship tiers and benefits, please contact: Katrina Armstrong at katrina.armstrong@maine.edu