11/5/2009 10:45:00 AM
Juice Conference in Camden
November 13 & 14
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| Nick Spitzer |
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The 2009 Juice Conference takes place Friday and Saturday, November 13 and 14, at the Camden Opera House. Juice 2.0 - Building Maine's Innovation Networks will explore the power of creativity and innovation in protecting Maine's quality of place while transforming the state's economy," says Skip Bates, president of the board of Midcoast Magnet and vice president of business banking for Bangor Savings, the conference's lead sponsor.
"Connecting our history with the future, investing in technology and design, introducing young and established leaders, protecting and promoting our natural resources: our programs committee has woven together the arts, technology, and entrepreneurship to present the interrelated tapestry that is Maine's economy," says Bates. "The conference is a forum for the exchange of ideas, the sharing of success stories, and the development of strategies for Maine's future."
Nick Spitzer, host of public radio's "American Routes" and a professor of American studies at Tulane University, will headline the conference with a talk on "Valuing Culture from Louisiana to Maine."
"The Art of Innovation" will be the topic of Doug Hall, a second keynote speaker. Hall, an inventor and founder and CEO of Eureka! Ranch, an invention and research think tank, is currently a visiting professor at the University of Maine.
Dr. Catherine Renault, director of Maine's Office of Innovation, will unveil Maine's new Innovation Investment Plan.
Joe Lstiburek, principal of the Building Science Corporation, is one of the world's foremost authorities on energy-efficient construction techniques. He will discuss "Innovations & Implications of Renovation."
Juice 2.0 will conclude with Marci Rossell, former chief economist for CNBC. Rossell will wrap up the conference and set the stage for post-conference action with her address "The Creative Economy: Re-forming Business, Government & Personal Finance."
Over 40 breakout sessions will take place throughout downtown Camden over the two days.
During a pitch session, participants will make elevator pitches of their business ideas to a panel of experienced investment professionals. The winner of the pitch contest will be eligible for a $25,000 infusion of capital, while runners-up will receive $2,500 each. Several other sessions devoted to funding opportunities are scheduled.
"Living Green" is a component of the conference coordinated by Midcoast Magnet affiliate Build Green Maine. In a session titled "20/30 Vision: Maine's Efficient Housing Stock 20 Years into the Future," heads of key state agencies will participate in a moderated dialogue on the elements of a sustainable built environment.
The Maine Arts Commission has made significant contributions of time, money, marketing and technical expertise to support the conference, along with support from arts organizations, including Bay Chamber Concerts, which was instrumental in bringing dancers Liz Lerman and Aniruddha Knight to the conference as speakers and performers.
Lerman is known for creating dance pieces in innovative settings, including the Portsmouth Bridge. Lerman will give an address at the conference in addition to performing excerpts from dances about the human genome, about the evolution of a plot of land from farmland to strip mall to supermarket to a house of worship, and about physics and the origin of matter.
Aniruddha Knight is the sole remaining exponent of the hereditary practice of bharata natyam. The only grandchild of the Indian dancer T. Balasaraswati, Knight is the ninth generation of one of India's most distinguished families of professional musicians and dancers.
In addition, the Maine Arts Commission will offer a series of breakout sessions on the economic impact of art and culture on the community; strategies for creating audiences across generations; a discussion of four success stories involving arts programs for teens; the richness of multicultural programming.
The Maine Office of Innovation, part of the Department of Economic and Community Development, has also been an organizing force within the conference and has contributed to the development of 10 conference sessions, including: "Making it in Maine: The New Face of Maine Manufacturing," a look at the fine line between tradition and innovation; "Maine Foodies: Entrepreneurs with Great Taste" will consider what it takes to make tasty treats into successful business ventures; "Maine's Biotech Sector: Superheroes in Lab Coats" will describe the efforts of Maine scientists and entrepreneurs to develop an economy around fighting disease and saving lives; and "Geeks in Black: Maine's Emerging IT Sector."
Other highlights of the conference inlude Entreverge founder Johann Sabbath moderating a panel discussion on entrepreneurial success and sustainability. Kate Simmons, 2008 caucus director of the Maine House Democrats, and attorney Emily Mitchell will moderate a session on how young leaders can get involved in Maine politics and get elected. A Friday Pecha Kucha night, in which a series of Maine innovators and artists will quickly present the face of the creative economy, will take place.
At the conclusion of the conference, 10 candidates for the governor's seat will participate in a Maine gubernatorial forum at which conference participants will have an opportunity to share their thoughts about policy decisions.
Conference tickets are $225. To find out more about what the conference offers, and to register, set up a group rate, or for more information on volunteering, go to www.juiceconference.org or e-mail info@juiceconference.org.
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