2nd Annual Central Maine Converge and Create Weekend
Friday, November 16, 12:30pm – 8:00 pm
Saturday, November 17, 8:30am – 12:30pm
Thomas College
Cost: $35
Startup. Scale. Side-Hustle.
Registration is now Open!
2nd Annual Central Maine
Converge and Create Weekend
Friday, November 16, 12:30pm – 8:00 pm
Saturday, November 17, 8:30am – 12:30pm
Thomas College
Cost: $35
Startup. Scale. Side Hustle.
Registration is now open!
Join us for an exciting event focused on elevating the innovative, entrepreneurial and revenue potential of Central Maine’s people and businesses. Hear from business people, entrepreneurs, and state resource providers. They will present valuable information in an interactive format that will help you take the next step.
There is something for everyone as this event is broken down into three distinct tracks: Startup, Scale, and Side Hustle.
Full-time college students: Email haibicoor@thomas.edu from an .edu email address to be added to the event manually for free.
Attendee Tracks:
Startup
Looking to take the leap and become an entrepreneur? Have an idea that you want to monetize? Network with like-minded individuals as you learn from experts in their field on how to validate your idea and launch your business or venture.
Scale
Looking to take your business to the next-level? Want to grow your business sustainably? Join area businesses as you learn through interactive sessions how to grow a business while maintaining quality and service.
Side Hustle
Learn how to utilize modern technology to monetize your ideas. There has never been a better time to find potential customers and utilize your skills to best serve them. Whether it’s a hobby, trade or an e-commerce business, learn how to navigate today’s marketplaces and build a brand, create a website, and acquire customers.
Schedule of Events*
*Speakers and times subject to change
Friday, November 16th
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm
Registration (Summit Room)
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Opening Session “Entrepreneurship 2.0 – Why this is the best time ever to be an Entrepreneur” (Summit Room)
Mike Duguay, Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation at Thomas College
1:35 – 3:00 pm
Panel 1 – “The Art of the Start – How to Set Up Your Business for Success” (Summit Room)
Allison Watson, Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
Linda Diou, SCORE
Reilly Kons, GHM Insurance
Martha Bentley, Maine Technology Institute (MTI)
3:00 – 3:25 pm
Networking Break (Summit Room)
3:30 – 5:00 pm
Panel II – “Financing for Startup, Scale and Growth” (Summit Room)
Sally Garand, Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)
Jean Claveau, Camden National Bank
Amy Bassett, Small Business Administration (SBA)
5:10 – 6:10 pm
Dinner (Spann Commons Dining Center)
6:15 – 7:15 pm
Keynote Speaker (Summit Room)
Derek Myska, Entrepreneur, Founder of a venture capital backed high-tech dot com startup
7:15 – 8:00 pm
Networking (Summit Room)
Saturday, November 17th
8:30 – 8:40 am
Opening Session (Summit Room)
Mike Duguay, Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation at Thomas College
8:45 – 9:30 am
Breakout Session 1 (All Breakout Sessions are in the Alfond Academic Center)
1. Startup - "Satisfy a Niche - One Brick at a time" - RJ Anzelc, Bricks Coworking & Innovation Space (Room AL-227)
2. Scale Up - "Taking it to the Next Level - Identifying and Eliminating the Obstacles" - Kelly Lacasse, The Maine Meal (Room AL-228)
3. Side Hustle - "Exploring New E-Commerce Ventures" - Tracy O'Clair, TOCmedia (Room AL-229)
9:40 – 10:00 am
Networking Break with Light Refreshments (Board Room Foyer, Second Floor of Alfond Academic Center)
10:05 – 11:00 am
Breakout Session 2
1. Startup – “Building a Tribe and Creating Raving Fans” – Nate Towne, Christopher Hastings Confections (Room AL-227)
2. Scale Up – “Growing customers through video and multi-media” - Matt Beach, Cre8iv Company (Room AL-228)
Cre8iv Company Website
