Dirigo Labs, Central Maine Growth Council, Live + Work in Maine, and Main Street Skowhegan partner to host statewide workforce summit in downtown Waterville
Waterville, ME – September 30, 2025 – Dirigo Labs and the Central Maine Growth Council announced today that the 4th Annual Better Maine Conference will be held on Thursday afternoon, November 6, 2025, in downtown Waterville. This year’s half-day event, hosted in partnership with Live + Work in Maine and Main Street Skowhegan, will focus on workforce attraction, retention, and innovation, bringing together employers, educators, and community leaders to share practical solutions for strengthening Maine’s talent pipeline.
The Better Maine Conference has become a signature event for business and community leaders seeking to build workplaces that are both competitive and sustainable. This year’s program will include a mix of dynamic speakers, interactive panels, and breakout sessions exploring key topics such as:
- Hiring for Potential – Rethinking traditional qualifications to expand talent pools
- Upskilling from Within – Leveraging community colleges and training partnerships to grow talent
- Workforce Incentives & Practitioner Tools – Practical insights on programs that promote, facilitate, and fund internships and apprenticeships
- Workplace Innovation: Tools, Tech & Talent – Exploring flexible models, benefits, and technology that support recruitment and retention
- Maine Talent Attraction Network Panel – Moderated by Live + Work in Maine, highlighting strategies to attract new and returning Mainers
“Workforce is one of Maine’s greatest challenges and greatest opportunities,” said Emalee Hall, Assistant Director of Innovation Programming & Partnerships at Dirigo Labs. “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.”
Dirigo Labs and the Central Maine Growth Council thank this year’s early sponsors, including 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 (DECD), for their support in making the conference possible. Opportunities to join as a sponsor are still available, offering organizations the chance to connect with employers and workforce leaders from across the state.
The conference will close with a networking reception at the Lockwood Hotel, offering attendees a chance to connect with peers, speakers, and sponsors in an informal setting.
For more information, visit Dirigo Labs or contact:
Emalee Hall
Assistant Director, Innovation Programming & PartnershipsDirigo Labs – Central Maine Growth Council
Email: emalee@centralmaine.org
About Dirigo Labs
Dirigo Labs, a program of the Central Maine Growth Council, is a regional startup accelerator based in Waterville, Maine. With a mission to grow mid-Maine’s digital economy by supporting entrepreneurs who are building innovation-based companies, the Dirigo Labs ecosystem brings together people, resources, and organizations to ensure the successful launch of new startups. Dirigo Labs operates under the Central Maine Growth Council and is supported by several organizations, academic institutions, and investment firms. For more information, please visit www.dirigolabs.org.
About Live + Work in Maine
Live + Work in Maine is a nonprofit committed to promoting Maine as a career destination. Through its marketing initiatives, Talent Attraction Network, and statewide partnerships, it connects employers with job seekers while highlighting the benefits of living and working in Maine.
About Main Street Skowhegan
Main Street Skowhegan (MSS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing downtown Skowhegan while fostering long-term economic growth for the region. MSS leads programs and initiatives that strengthen entrepreneurship, workforce development, outdoor recreation, and community engagement. By supporting innovation and small business growth, Main Street Skowhegan works to build a thriving rural economy in central Maine.
Last modified: September 30, 2025
