The Governor’s International Breakfast is a long-standing collaborative effort of the World Affairs Council of Maine and the Maine International Trade Center. Inaugurated by then Governor Angus King Jr in 1997, the goal is to highlight the importance of international connections to Maine’s economy and its people. Themes have including everything from Maine’s role in the North Atlantic to trade with China and energy interdependence. We thank Governors King, Baldacci, LePage, and Mills for their participation in this nonpartisan tradition and look forward to welcoming the next Governor of Maine in 2027!
2026 Governor’s International Breakfast
Maine and the World: Looking back and Moving Forward
April 7, 2026 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring St, Portland, ME.
Thank you to our 2026 sponsors and partners!
Past Programs
MAINE: Gateway to the Arctic and North Atlantic
Maine is shaping the future of the Arctic and North Atlantic collaboration as a vital gateway to emerging Arctic trade routes and a leader in sustainable innovation. Maine offers unparalleled opportunities for global partnerships in business, research, and environmental stewardship. The 2025 Governor’s International Breakfast explored how Maine’s strategic connections and expertise can unlock new possibilities in this dynamic region. In addition to remarks from Governor Mills, guests heard remarks from Bernadette Jordan, Consul General of Canada in Boston, Ben Ford, Honorary Consul for Iceland, and Lt. Cl (ret.) Darryl Lion and Nathaniel Shehata, Eimskip’s Vice President of Liner Services.
The Future of Work in Maine is Global!
Mainers are working with the world! Increasingly, jobs in Maine are being created by trade or with multi-national companies, and colleagues and co-workers from around the world are being involved. The 2024 Governor’s International Breakfast celebrated the contributions of these globally connected firms and the value of a diverse, multi-national, and multilingual workforce. Remarks by Governor Janet T. Mills addressed the future of work in Maine and our global future.
Ending Hunger and Food Insecurity by 2023: An Achievable Goal for Maine and the World!
Hunger and food insecurity are global challenges that can be solved. For decades the world has made steady progress in reducing the prevalence of hunger, yet progress has stalled. Thanks to a combination of COVID-19, the conflict in Ukraine, and extreme weather events, hunger is on the rise.
This year’s Governor’s International Breakfast will address the challenge of rising food insecurity worldwide and what is being done in Maine to meet the goal of ending hunger by 2030.
Copies of “Everyone at the Table: Maine’s Road Map to End Hunger by 2030” can be downloaded HERE.