*03/31/17 Steve Hewins, Maine Innkeepers, Convention Ctr Proposal

Steve Hewins graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in history. In 1982 he started Hewins Travel out of his Munjoy Hill apartment, eventually growing it to the largest travel agency in the state. In 2007 he sold the business to AAA Northern New England and became its Vice President of Branch Operations. Steve left AAA in 2013 to become the Executive Director of Portland Downtown, a business improvement district that incorporates most of the city center, and in 2016 he was selected as President and CEO of the Maine Restaurant and the Maine Innkeepers Associations.

Steve lives in South Portland with his wife Kathy. His daughter Kia is a Junior at the University of Maine, and his outside interests including skiing, golf, reading. and, of course, traveling.

Steve's presentation will be about "Making the Case for a World Class Convention Center in Downtown Portland."