Rachel Sagiroglu is passionate about all that Maine has to offer. That is why she decided to start Experience Maine, a new full-service travel concierge and event planning company. Rachel knew that tourism is Maine’s largest industry, but noticed that the corporate meetings and events segment of the industry has only grown by 50,000 business-related travelers in the last three years. With over 20 years of experience in event planning, she wanted to help expand Maine’s corporate meeting and events market.
For guidance on the steps to starting this exciting new business, Rachel contacted Business Advisor Susan Desgrosseilliers from the Maine Small Business Development Centers. Together they worked to price Rachel’s services, create financial projections and develop a business plan that would help understand her business and obtain a loan from Coastal Enterprises.
Rachel officially launched Experience Maine in May 2019. She reports great success in her first months as she exceeds her projected revenue. Rachel continues to meet with Susan regularly as she works to market her business.
Experience Maine helps travelers, event hosts and meeting planners experience Maine to the fullest with unique, once-in-a-lifetime itineraries & full-service travel and event planning. Rachel curates, designs, and plans unique travel experiences for both corporate and individual clients.
Complementing the corporate event planning and travel concierge segments of the company will be the Experience Maine website, which will promote hospitality and tourism businesses in Maine from hotels and attractions to private charters and guided experiences. For a monthly membership fee, businesses can join the site and benefit from the marketing Rachel will do in Maine’s key tourism markets. Founding members of Experience Maine include Sugarloaf Inn, Inn on Peaks Island, Three Rivers Whitewater Rafting, Old Port Sea Grill, and Shipyard Brewing Company.
Business Advisor: Susan Desgrosseilliers