Maine is making news for its fiscal responsibility, with Fitch Ratings upgrading its bond credit to the second-highest rating of AA+ in 2025 due to its strong budgetary controls and discipline and low long-term liability burden. The Maine Budget Stabilization Fund has now reached a record $1 billion, enabling the state to secure its long-term financial position and flexibly invest in new projects. Amazon, New Balance and Mölnlycke have announced projects in the past year, while the life sciences sector continues to grow with more than 10,000 jobs and over $2.3 billion in economic activity.
Dirigo Business Incentives Program: Offers refundable state tax credits of up to $2 million annually, with $500,000 refundable for capital investments in equipment, machinery and building construction, plus $2,000 per worker for approved training programs.
Department of Economic and Community Development
maine.gov/decd/home
Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce
bangorregion.com
City of Portland
portlandmaine.gov
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
