In Waterville, Better Maine Conference will tackle workplace challenges

File photo / GABE SOUZA Downtown Waterville has added a number of venues, including the Greene Block and Lockwood Hotel.

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By Peter Van Allen

A Waterville conference to be held next month will focus on workforce attraction, retention and innovation.

Dirigo Labs and the Central Maine Growth Council said the fourth annual Better Maine Conference is set for Thursday, Nov. 6, in downtown Waterville.

The half-day event will be hosted in partnership with Live + Work in Maine and Main Street Skowhegan.

Most of the conference will take place at the Greene Block + Studios downtown, with the event winding up with a networking reception at the Lockwood Hotel.

Organizers hope to bring together employers, educators and community leaders to share ideas on how to strengthen Maine’s talent pipeline.

Topics will cover hiring for potential, "upskilling from within," workforce incentives, innovation and talent attraction.

“Workforce is one of Maine’s greatest challenges and greatest opportunities,” said Emalee Hall, who is assistant director of innovation programming and partnerships at Dirigo Labs, a Waterville business incubator.

“The Better Maine Conference is about convening the people who are tackling these challenges every day, employers, educators, and workforce champions, and giving them practical tools they can take back to their organizations," she added.

The event will be sponsored by Central Maine Motors, Allen Insurance and Financial, Maine Technology Institute, Thomas College, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.