Portland, Maine  |  15 May 2025

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

IEEE Region 1+2
IEEE Region 1
IEEE Maine Section
University of Southern Maine

IEEE-USA IWRC AI Summit

Where: University of Southern Maine (Portland Campus) | Portland, Maine
When: 15 May 2025

On 15 May, the IEEE-USA Innovation, Workforce, and Research Conference (IWRC) will bring together stakeholders from industry, government, and academia for an AI Summit in Portland, Maine. We will meet, network, learn, and discuss federal and state technology initiatives and other government programs that promote innovation and small business in the northeast.

This event will provide opportunities to meet potential partners and learn more about how you can contribute to the innovation ecosystem in Maine and the northeast.

Who should attend?

Industry

Owners, C-Level, VP Level, Engineers, Legal Staff, R&D, Patent/Small Business Attorneys, Finance and VC

Interface with potential partners in the federal, state, and local governments to learn about current federal and state technology initiatives related to technology transfer, AI, quantum and semiconductors, among other priorities.

Government officials are coming to Portland looking for partners — like you! Learn about programs to promote innovation and small business. Meet potential partners from colleges and universities in Maine. Discover federal technology initiatives and how they relate to Maine.

Academia

Presidents, Chancellors, Tech Transfer & Patent Offices, VPRs, Researchers

Meet potential partners in the federal, state, and local governments, gain information on grant processes, make connections to future business partners, and learn more about federal technology and small business initiatives.

Learn about government resources and industry leaders in need of innovations. Government officials are coming to Maine to meet with the tech sector and engineers/entrepreneurs like you! IWRC will bring together business leaders large and small to connect with partners/researchers to innovate.

Government

Policymakers, Federal, State, and Local Program Officers, Economic Development Professionals, Incentive Managers, Entrepreneurial Support Organizations

Network with local engineers/entrepreneurs who are interested in learning more about federal and state government technology initiatives and how to better integrate into the Maine innovation economy. Help you to promote government programs in the northeast.

Venue & Hotel

Conference Venue

McGoldrick Center - University of Southern Maine (USM) Portland Campus

Multipurpose Room
35 Bedford St
Portland, ME 04101

FREE Parking

Please use code "IEEEGST" in the Promo Code/Validation Code field when you pay for parking and click "Apply."

Hotel Block

Aloft Portland Downtown Waterfront ME

379 Commercial Street
Portland, Maine 04101

Preliminary Agenda

Thursday, 15 May

Conference Venue

McGoldrick Center - University of Southern Maine (USM) Portland Campus

Multipurpose Room
35 Bedford St
Portland, ME 04101

FREE Parking

Please use code "IEEEGST" in the Promo Code/Validation Code field when you pay for parking and click "Apply."

Thursday, 15 May 2025

McGoldrick Center – University of Southern Maine (USM) Portland Campus
Multipurpose Room
35 Bedford St
Portland, ME 04101

Time (ET)SessionSpeaker
8:30 AMRegistration
9:00 AMWelcome & Kickoff
9:15 AMHow Can Maine Develop and Support its Technical Workforce?
  • David Daigler
    President, Maine Community College System (Moderator)
  • Jennifer Fong
    Director, Continuing Education Products and Business Development, IEEE
  • Phoenix McLaughlin
    Director of Strategy Implementation, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development
  • Claire Sullivan, Ph.D.
    Assistant Vice Chancellor for Innovation in Digital Badges and Micro-Credentials, University of Maine System
  • Brian Whitney
    President, Maine Technology Institute
10:00 AMCase Studies: Putting AI to Work in Maine
10:30 AMNetworking Break
11:00 AMBreakout Sessions
1) Small Business and Defense Partnerships


2) Small Business and Non-Defense Partnerships


12:00 PMNetworking Lunch
1:00 PMState and Federal AI Policy Trends
  • Russell Harrison
    Managing Director, IEEE-USA (Moderator)
  • Jim Isaak
    President Emeritus, IEEE Computer Society
  • Scott Kleiman
    Policy Director, Economy and Workforce, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, State of Maine
1:30 PMBreakout Sessions
1) Innovation and Intellectual Property


2) How Do Small Businesses in Maine Find Funding?


2:30 PMBreak
3:00 PMWhat's Next in AI?
4:00 PMWrap-Up and Adjourn
Time (ET)
8:30 AM - Registration
9:00 AM - Welcome & Kickoff

9:15 AM

How Can Maine Develop and Support its Technical Workforce?

  • David Daigler
    President, Maine Community College System (Moderator)
  • Jennifer Fong
    Director, Continuing Education Products and Business Development, IEEE
  • Phoenix McLaughlin
    Director of Strategy Implementation, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development
  • Claire Sullivan, Ph.D.
    Assistant Vice Chancellor for Innovation in Digital Badges and Micro-Credentials, University of Maine System
  • Brian Whitney
    President, Maine Technology Institute
10:00 AM

Case Studies: Putting AI to Work in Maine

10:30 AM - Networking Break
11:00 AM - Breakout Sessions
Science Building - Ricci Hall - 165

1) Small Business and Defense Partnerships

McGoldrick Center -
Multipurpose Room

2) Small Business and Non-Defense Partnerships

12:00 PM - Networking Lunch
1:00 PM

State and Federal AI Policy Trends

  • Russell Harrison
    Managing Director, IEEE-USA (Moderator)
  • Jim Isaak
    President Emeritus, IEEE Computer Society
  • Scott Kleiman
    Policy Director, Economy and Workforce, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, State of Maine
1:30 PM - Breakout Sessions
Science Building - Ricci Hall - 165

1) Innovation and Intellectual Property

1) Innovation and Intellectual Property
McGoldrick Center -
Multipurpose Room

2) How Do Small Businesses in Maine Find Funding?

2:30 PM - Break
3:00 PM - What's Next in AI?
4:00 PM - Wrap-Up and Adjourn

Video  Addresses

Meet Our Speakers & Panelists

Registration

TierPrice
Full Registration - Non-Member$250.00
Full Registration - IEEE Member$200.00
Student Non-Member$145.00
Student IEEE Member$95.00
IEEE Life Member$95.00
Speaker/Panelist Registration$200.00
Exhibit Space*
Exhibit Space (Includes one registration) - Includes exhibit space for the organization in the event exhibit hall, one event registration, and placement of the organization’s logo on the event website.

Additional fees may be incurred for the exhibit table and features like electricity. Closer to the event, we will provide a contact at the event venue.
$500.00
Additional Exhibit Registration$250.00

* Exhibit Space (Includes one registration) – Includes exhibit space for the organization in the event exhibit hall, one event registration, and placement of the organization's logo on the event website.

Additional fees may be incurred for the exhibit table and features like electricity. Closer to the event, we will provide a contact at the event venue.