PORTLAND – The Maine International Trade Center will host the 28th annual Maine International Trade Day on Thursday, May 22, at the Holiday Inn By The Bay.

The theme is Marketing Green to the World. It will bring together companies and organizations from Maine, New England and eastern Canada to discuss emerging markets for Maine’s natural and sustainable products. Participants will learn how Maine companies can leverage new technologies and green products for international success.

This year’s program commences with morning one-on-one matchmaking meetings available for Maine businesses with foreign trade offices and consulates.

The afternoon begins with a session where Janine Bisaillon-Cary, president of the Maine International Trade Center, presents an update on the state of trade and investment for Maine, followed by a plenary presentation titled Maine’s Green Brand.

Two panel discussions, “Marketing Maine’s Green Products” and “Green Technologies for Global Success,” will follow.

The evening business networking reception includes cocktails, music, and networking reception for attendees. The event concludes with the International Trade Awards dinner, featuring Gov. John Baldacci, award winners, and a keynote address. MITC will present the annual awards for Exporter of the Year, Service Provider of the Year, International Innovator of the Year, Foreign Investor of the Year, and the President’s Award.

Maine’s International Innovator of the Year for 2008 is Safe Handling Inc. of Auburn. Safe Handling is a full service bulk product handling and toll processing facility operator for international chemical and raw material producers. Safe Handling also provides warehousing, tank truck and tote cleaning, and specialized railcar services on its 200-acre site. Innovations in transportation sustainability improvements recently earned the company the top ranking in the governor’s carbon challenge for emissions reductions. Safe Handling imports virtually all of Maine’s biodiesel and operates the state’s only ethanol terminal.

Maine’s Foreign Investor of Year for 2008 is Fontaine Inc. of Woburn, Quebec, Canada. Fontaine is a family owned and operated business located in the heart of the northeastern forests. For more than 40 years, the company has been recognized as a reliable source of quality lumber for clients all across the eastern United States and Canada. In order to perform in today’s competitive environment, Fontaine invests heavily in developing its human resources and appropriate proven new technology, including a recent multi-million dollar equipment upgrade at its lumber mill in Stratton. In addition to Stratton Lumber, Fontaine also owns Timber Resource Group, a leading timber procurement company in Farmington.