Organizers open registration for three-day Portland event convening entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, students, policymakers and marine-sector leaders
PORTLAND – Maine Blue Economy Week will bring more than 250 entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, students, policymakers and marine-sector leaders to Portland this fall to focus on growth opportunities across the state’s $6.8 billion ocean economy.
The three-day event will take place Wednesday, Sept. 30 through Friday, Oct. 2 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. Programming will focus on ocean innovation, investment, entrepreneurship, workforce development and sustainable growth across Maine’s ocean and coastal economy.
Maine Blue Economy Week is presented through a cooperative collaboration with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, the University of Maine, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, and Northeastern University’s Roux Institute, with major support from the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development and Maine Technology Institute.
Maine’s ocean economy supports more than 90,000 jobs and spans industries including fisheries, aquaculture, seafood systems, marine biotechnology, ocean data, coastal infrastructure, sustainable boatbuilding, marine propulsion and marine energy.
Over three days, attendees will take part in panel discussions, breakout sessions, startup spotlights, an exhibitor showcase, a demo event, networking opportunities and organized field trips. Sessions will explore trends in blue economy research, investment, entrepreneurship, policy, workforce training, commercialization and collaboration between Maine’s research, business and marine-sector communities.
Registration and details
- Event: Maine Blue Economy Week
- Date: Wednesday, Sept. 30 – Friday, Oct. 2
- Location: Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland, Maine
- Audience: 250+ entrepreneurs, investors, funders, researchers, students, industry leaders, policymakers, and ecosystem partners
- Programming: Keynote remarks, panel discussions, breakout sessions, startup spotlights, exhibitor showcase, demo event, networking, and organized field trips
- Registration: gulfofmaineresearchinstitute.regfox.com/maine-blue-economy-week.
- Sponsorship: Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact info@maineblueeconomyweek.com.
Maine Blue Economy Week convenes leaders from Maine’s ocean and coastal economy to advance innovation, investment, entrepreneurship, workforce development and sustainable growth. The three-day event brings together entrepreneurs, investors, funders, researchers, students, industry leaders, policymakers and ecosystem partners. Learn more at maineblueeconomyweek.com.
The Gulf of Maine Research Institute develops and delivers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. Located in Portland, the institute is dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. For more information, visit www.gmri.org.
As Maine’s only public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, the University of Maine advances learning and discovery through excellence and innovation. Founded in 1865 in Orono, UMaine is the state’s land, sea and space grant university with a regional campus at the University of Maine at Machias. Our students come from all over the world and work with faculty conducting fieldwork around the globe — from the North Atlantic to the Antarctic. Located on Marsh Island in the homeland of the Penobscot Nation with UMaine Machias located in the homeland of the Passamaquoddy Nation, UMaine’s statewide mission is to foster an environment that creates tomorrow’s leaders. As the state’s flagship institution, UMaine offers nearly 200 degree programs through which students can earn bachelor’s, master’s, professional master’s and doctoral degrees as well as graduate certificates.
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is an independent, nonprofit research institute located in East Boothbay, Maine. From the Arctic to the Antarctic, Bigelow Laboratory scientists use innovative approaches to study the foundation of global ocean health and unlock its potential to improve the future for all life on the planet. Learn more at bigelow.org.
Northeastern University’s Roux Institute is a tech talent and innovation hub for Maine and beyond, driving bold innovation at the intersection of technology, data, and life sciences. Based in Portland, Roux connects graduate education, applied research, and entrepreneurship to build Maine’s next-generation innovation economy — training the workforce, launching the ventures, and forging the partnerships that keep opportunity in Maine. Learn more at roux.northeastern.edu.