Maine National Guard hosts Arctic symposium event in Bangor at the Regional Training Institute

BANGOR, ME (05/15/2014)(readMedia)-- The Maine National Guard and the University of Maine's School of Policy and International Affairs will host a two day Arctic Symposium event entitled "Leadership in the High North" at the Regional Training Institute, 289 North Hildreth Street, Bangor, Maine 04401 on Tuesday and Wednesday May 20-21, 2014.

The conference will explore the challenges and emerging opportunities arising from the significant increases in Arctic activity due to the diminishment of sea ice and the emergence of the new Arctic environment.

Lt. Col. Darryl Lyon, one of the event coordinators, emphasized the significance of Maine as a leader in the high north. "Maine and our region can choose to define how we will lead during this transformational time in the Arctic, and this leadership can come in many forms: academic, economic, geo-political, environmental, scientific, cultural, and many more, because the opportunities and challenges are still being defined."

Experts from The White House, the University of Maine, Canada, and the U.S. military will be speaking to these challenges and opportunities before a diverse audience of interested partners.

WHO:

Maine Army National Guard and partner agencies.

WHAT:

The conference will explore the challenges and emerging opportunities arising from the significant increases in Arctic activity due to the diminishment of sea ice and the emergence of the new Arctic environment.

WHEN: Wednesday May 21, 2014 at 11:45AM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: 289 North Hildreth Street
Bangor, Maine 04401
NOTES:

The media are invited to attend the symposium at 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21, where they will be able to listen to a panel discussion on Arctic Trade from noon to 1:30 p.m. The panelists include Mr. John Henshaw, Maine Port Authority, Mr. Patrick Arnold, President of SOLIDG Corporation, and Mr. Laus Isfeld, General Manager US, Eimskip Icelandic Steamship Company. Following the discussion these panelist and other attendees will be available for interviews in the green room of the Regional Training Institute.

Media interested in covering the event should contact Maj. Michael Steinbuchel (207) 624-2872 no later than Monday, May 19, 2014 if possible.