2:00 pm Exhibitor Booth Check-In Begins

Companies exhibiting in the Cascobay Ballroom may begin booth check-in starting at 2:00 PM.

3:00 pm Registration Opens

Start the event networking with exhibitors. Check in at the registration table to pick up your badge, conference agenda, and a gift bag.

Book List:

• How to Be an Inclusive Leader: Your Role in Creating Cultures of Belonging Where Everyone Can Thrive by Jennifer Brown

• I want a Nickname! by Tradara McLaurine

• The Inclusion Dividend: Why Investing in Diversity & Inclusion Pays off by Mason Donovan and Mark Kaplan

• The Golden Apple: Redefining Work-life Balance for a Diverse Workforce by Mason Donovan 

4:00 pm Opening Ceremony: Strategies for Resilience 

Defending Diversity Amid Fear in the Workplace and Community

In a time of uncertainty, shifting policies, and growing social tension, employers and HR leaders are being called to respond with clarity and courage. This opening session will explore how organizations can build resilience by supporting employees from all backgrounds, addressing fear and misinformation, and reinforcing inclusive practices that strengthen trust, retention, and team performance. Attendees will gain practical insights on leading with confidence, protecting workplace culture, and positioning inclusion as a stabilizing force for both employees and the broader community.

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Location: Grand Ballroom

4:45 pm Driving Success: How Businesses are Benefiting from Inclusive Hiring 

What are the Winning Strategies? Learn from a Panel Discussion with Lawyers, Employers, Non-profit and Community Leaders. Leaders from the legal, employer, nonprofit, and community sectors share practical insights on navigating workforce challenges in a complex labor environment. The panel will address risk management, partnership development, and scalable hiring strategies that deliver measurable outcomes. Participants will gain a grounded view of how cross-sector collaboration can strengthen talent pipelines and support organizational growth.

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Location: Grand Ballroom

5:30 pm Cultivating Certainty: Proactive Strategies for Legal Compliance and Employee Protection

Preparation during uncertainty is a strategic advantage. This session equips leaders with practical strategies to protect their organizations amid evolving federal enforcement and regulatory scrutiny. Participants will learn how to build a defensible compliance infrastructure that safeguards daily operations, mitigates legal risk, and strengthens organizational resilience. We will examine key elements, including policy alignment, documentation standards, leadership accountability, and risk response protocols.

Leaders will also explore how compliance and psychological safety intersect to reduce fear-driven decision-making and maintain operational stability during periods of regulatory or pressure. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to ensure business continuity while protecting both the organization and its people. 

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Location: Grand Ballroom

6:00 pm Talent Reception

Networking event for professionals from diverse backgrounds to meet employers in Maine. Professionals are looking to grow their professional network and potentially find an employment opportunity.

Location: Grand Ballroom and Casco Bay Exhibit Hall 

8:00 am Registration Opens

Check-in at the registration table to receive your badge, event pin, and a curated gift bag.

8:30 AM Progyny: Inclusive Benefits That Strengthen Your Workforce

Progyny provides fertility, family‑building, and women’s health benefits designed to meet the needs of a diverse workforce, removing barriers to care and supporting the many paths to parenthood. Their approach ensures equitable access to comprehensive care and personalized support for employees of all genders, orientations, and family structures. By offering inclusive benefits like these, organizations can strengthen employee well‑being, advance diversity and inclusion goals, and expand their appeal to a broader talent pool.

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Location: Grand Ballroom

9:00 am Keynote: Leading Together with Resilience and Unity

In a time of rapid change and community challenges, strong leadership brings people together around shared values, mutual support, and collective action. This keynote explores how leaders can bring people together across differences, strengthen collaboration, and support community well‑being — especially in the face of adversity such as incidents of hate or social tension. Drawing on real‑world leadership insights and examples of Maine communities working to uphold inclusion and mutual respect, the session will highlight practical approaches for sustaining organizational stability, supporting those impacted by bias, and promoting cooperation across workplaces and communities. Attendees will gain strategies for leading with vision, advancing unity, and helping their teams and communities move forward stronger together.

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Location: Grand Ballroom

– 15 minutes Break –

10:00 am Shifting Toward Anti‑Racism: Intentional Action for Greater Unity

In this special session, renowned scholar Ibram X. Kendi will guide participants beyond simply recognizing racial inequities toward intentional, collective action that strengthens unity and fosters inclusion. Kendi’s work reframes antiracism as a deliberate practice focused on supporting policies and ideas that produce equity and counter narratives that fuel fear or false division. 

Drawing on insights from Chain of Ideas — this session will explore how harmful ideas like have migrated from fringe conspiracy into mainstream political discourse. This session will examine how divisive narratives spread and why addressing them matters for community cohesion. Participants will explore frameworks for identifying and challenging inequitable structures, engaging in honest dialogue across diverse experiences, and building shared purpose that promotes mutual respect.

Speaker: Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Professor of History and Leading Antiracist Scholar

Location: Grand Ballroom

11:30 am Collaboration Session: Turning Ideas into Shared Action

This structured collaboration session invites participants to build on the energy and insights from the morning and move toward shared purpose and partnership. Facilitated small‑group discussions will focus on identifying common goals, surface areas of shared interest across organizations, and explore concrete opportunities to work together on issues such as inclusion, community resilience, and antiracist practice. Rather than passive conversation, this session is designed to produce collective insights and actionable next steps that can inform future partnerships and strengthen cross‑sector collaboration. Participants will have the chance to reflect, co‑create ideas, share experiences, and leave with tangible collaboration pathways to explore as they continue conversations over lunch.

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Location: Grand Ballroom

12:00 pm Lunch

1:00 pm State Leaders Panel: Better for Mainers - Strengthening Maine’s Workforce Ecosystem

Leaders across Maine will discuss current efforts and emerging opportunities shaping the state’s workforce and economic future. This conversation will highlight how strategic collaboration between government, employers, education, and training partners is expanding talent pipelines, connecting job seekers with meaningful work, and aligning with Maine’s evolving industry needs. 

Panelists will share insights on regulatory priorities, workforce funding streams (including recent investments supporting training and job growth), and practical resources that employers can leverage — from apprenticeship incentives to upskilling partnerships and workforce compacts that strengthen both talent access and employee development. 

The discussion will also explore how cross‑sector alignment is boosting workforce retention and expanding opportunities for inclusive growth. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of concrete pathways for collaboration with state leaders, community partners, and industry groups to support workforce strategy that is better for all Mainers.

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Location: Grand Ballroom

2:00 pm Exhibitors Hall 

Location: Casco Bay Exhibit Hall

5:00 pm End of day

8:00 am Registration Opens

Check-in at the registration table to receive your badge, event pin, and a curated gift bag.

9:00 am Morning Breakout sessions

Breakout Session #1: Housing and Cost of Living as Workforce Barriers

Housing instability and rising living costs are increasingly limiting employers’ ability to attract and retain talent. This session examines employer-led strategies, cross-sector partnerships, and policy collaboration that address these barriers. Discussion will focus on practical models such as relocation support, housing partnerships, and regional coordination that stabilize workforce pipelines.

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Breakout Session #2: Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunity

Small business creation is a critical pathway to economic mobility and regional growth. This session explores how employers, lenders, and support organizations can foster entrepreneurial development through mentorship, procurement access, and resource alignment. Participants will examine strategies that expand opportunity while strengthening local economic ecosystems.

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Breakout Session #3: LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion

 Organizations are navigating evolving expectations around inclusive workplace practices and employee well-being. This discussion highlights actionable approaches to fostering respectful environments, supporting retention, and aligning policies with organizational values and legal frameworks. Emphasis will be placed on balancing culture, compliance, and workforce engagement outcomes.

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– 20 minutes Break –

10:30 am Mid-Morning Breakout Sessions 

Breakout Session #1: Women’s Health Across Life Stages: Driving Retention, Productivity, and ROI

Retaining diverse, skilled professionals is more challenging than ever. As the state works to grow its workforce and foster inclusion across industries, organizations are seeking innovative strategies that demonstrate genuine care for employees’ well-being.

This session will explore why supporting women’s health—including fertility, family building, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause—is no longer a “nice to have” but a strategic imperative for talent attraction and retention. Attendees will learn how inclusive, equitable health benefits directly strengthen belonging, increase engagement, and reduce turnover—particularly for women, LGBTQ+ employees, caregivers, and workers navigating life transitions that disproportionately impact career stability.

We will also highlight how these benefits generate tangible business value. Employers who invest in women’s health programs consistently see measurable ROI through improved employee retention, reduced absenteeism, lower healthcare costs, and increased productivity. By addressing common gaps in traditional healthcare plans and supporting employees through complex health journeys, organizations can reduce costly turnover and enhance workforce continuity—critical outcomes as Maine works to build a stronger, more sustainable talent pipeline.

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Breakout Session #2: Navigating Enforcement Actions Impacting Employees

Regulatory and legal enforcement actions can disrupt workforce stability and create organizational risk. This session brings together legal and HR perspectives to discuss preparedness, communication strategies, and ethical leadership during sensitive situations. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of balancing compliance obligations with workforce continuity.

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Breakout Session #3: AI in the Workforce - Leveraging Technology to Address Talent Gaps

Automation and artificial intelligence are rapidly reshaping workforce needs. This session explores how businesses can adopt emerging technologies to improve efficiency, augment human talent, and address persistent labor shortages. Attendees will learn practical considerations for implementation, workforce reskilling, and balancing innovation with operational realities.

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12:00 pm Lunch

1:00 pm Afternoon Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session #1: Hiring Untapped Talent Pools: People with Disabilities and Adult Education Older Workers, and key diverse communities  

Employers face both opportunity and responsibility in expanding access for workers with disabilities. This session covers recruitment pathways, workplace accommodations, and performance support strategies that lead to sustainable employment outcomes. Attendees will gain practical insights into removing barriers while strengthening productivity and engagement.

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Breakout Session #2: Resource Ecosystems for Youth and Student Voices

Effective workforce inclusion relies on coordinated support systems beyond the workplace. This session highlights partnerships with training providers, community organizations, and support networks that help employees succeed and remain engaged. Attendees will explore how integrated resource ecosystems strengthen retention and performance outcomes.

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Breakout Session #3: Discomfort and Joy: White Folks Working for Collective Thriving

Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring white practitioners navigating the messy, essential balance of discomfort and joy. We’ll discuss the friction of unlearning oppression and the profound joy found in working toward a world where we all can thrive. Through a candid Q&A and shared stories, we’ll explore how white folks have been practicing moving towards collective thriving. We’ll learn the many ways this work can be explored, with a spotlight on two local and national White affinity groups, Tapestry and White Men for Racial Justice.

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2:30 pm Closing with Networking Reception

As the breakout sessions conclude, attendees are invited to gather for light snacks and drinks. This reception offers an opportunity to reflect on insights from the 3 days, discuss collaboration opportunities, and explore ways to work together across organizations and communities. Connect, share ideas, and leave with actionable next steps to turn conference dialogue into meaningful action.

3:00 pm End of day