Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1498032
W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 13 M AY 1 , 2 0 2 3 F O C U S H O S P I TA L I T Y / T O U R I S M owns and runs the Maker's Galley café, store and space for events from lobster-roll making to wine tastings and pop-up chef dinners. "ere is an appetite for meeting planners to get creative, and to maybe do things that are not just in the boardroom or in the conference room, like a meet- around in the city," she says. Because of Maine's short summers, that's not always possible in the traditional conference months of April or October, she notes. Sağıroğlu, who would like to see more meeting rooms than restaurants at new Portland hotels, sees competition for conferences heating up everywhere, making it even harder for Maine to stand out: "I think we compete with the world now that the world is back open," she says. Global demand 'roaring back' Out of more than 5,000 planners nationwide surveyed this spring by the Northstar Meetings Group, 57% are more optimistic than they were two months ago, while only 14% are less optimistic. But with less lead time to plan meetings, planners' concerns about factors from higher costs to hotel staffing are increasing. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » Gone are the days when you have a huge convention at a hotel featuring Jimmy Buffett as the lead entertainer. — Lee Speronis Husson University Ware-Butler Industrial will supply prod- ucts to earthwork and concrete jobs, roads/bridges/construction jobs, grow businesses, storage units, livestock farms, health centers and commercial buildings of all types, infrastructure projects such as sand-salt sheds and municipal buildings, etc. WAREBUTLER.COM CONTACT US for your non-residential and commercial construction needs across Maine. Put our statewide buying power and experienced sales team to work for you! industrial@warebutler.com Fabric / Pipe / Culverts / Styrofoam insulation / Construction lumber Sheet goods / Millwork / Metal roofing and siding products PRODUCTS OFFERED: CUSTOM WORK AVAILABLE Lee Speronis is the head of Husson University's School of Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y H U S S O N U N I V E R S I T Y