June 1 - 6, 2026 | Portland, Maine, USA
The State of Maine invites a select group of Finnish forest bioeconomy professionals to join a five-day trade and study mission exploring Maine’s forests, mills, research institutions, and innovative wood construction projects — culminating in the Maine Wood Innovation Conference.
Participants traveling to Maine will have program costs covered by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), including accommodations, meals, and in-state transportation. Delegates are responsible for their own international flights.
About the Maine - Finland Partnership
Maine and Finland share strong cultural and economic ties rooted in forests. Both regions depend on sustainable forestry for rural livelihoods, both are leaders in forest science and bioeconomy innovation, and both are working to position their forest sectors for a low-carbon future.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the State of Maine and the Republic of Finland formalizes this relationship and provides a framework for ongoing cooperation in trade, research, and policy exchange.
Three Good Reasons to Participate
Direct relationships with Maine industry and government
Structured roundtables and shared meals create genuine connections beyond superficial networking.
Parallel economies with lessons to exchange
Maine and Finland share a forest-based economic heritage with complementary knowledge in areas like mass timber adoption, forest management, carbon markets, and logistics. This mission is a two-way learning opportunity.
A foundation for trade and investment
The Maine – Finland MOU provides an institutional framework for ongoing business opportunities, joint research, and long-term partnerships.
Mission Details
Dates: June 1 – 6, 2026
(June 1 and June 6 are travel days; mission program runs June 2 through 5)
Base Location: Portland Harbor Hotel, Portland, Maine, USA
Daily travel: Site visits across Southern Maine to mills, forests, ports, and building sites
Costs: Accommodations, meals, and in-state transportation are covered by NASDA. Delegates are responsible for costs of international flights.
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Your Maine Experience
Working Forests & Mills
Tour a white pine sawmill, hear from public and private forestland managers, walk sustainably managed forestland, and learn how Maine’s forests are managed for timber production, climate resilience, and carbon sequestration.
Mass Timber & CLT Construction
Visit completed cross-laminated timber and mass timber buildings across Maine and new construction projects in Portland to see firsthand how Maine wood is being used in innovative building applications.
Port & Trade Infrastructure
Tour the Maine Port Authority and meet with Eimskip, the Icelandic carrier operating a direct North Atlantic shipping route that connects Maine to European markets including Finland.
Policy, Science & Research
Engage with Maine Forest Service leadership, university researchers, and conservation organizations on topics including forest carbon markets, climate-adaptive management, and the policy landscape shaping Maine’s forest economy.
Industry Roundtables
Structured and informal conversations with Maine Forest Products Council, Maine Woodland Owners, the New England Forestry Foundation, and private sector supply chain operators.
Maine Wood Innovation Conference
The mission concludes with a full-day gathering of local, national, and international participants focused on wood innovation, advanced materials, and sustainable construction. Delegate attendance is included in the mission program.
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