Municipal Innovation Day, hosted by the Roux Institute at Northeastern University, in collaboration with regional Councils of Governments, including AVCOG, GPCOG, and MCOG is a dynamic, day-long gathering designed to inspire municipal leaders across Maine, surface shared challenges, explore emerging technologies and their governance implications, and support the development of practical, regionally aligned solutions.

This energizing experience combines insightful panels, lightening talks, an innovation sprint, and networking, giving municipal teams the space and support they need to think creatively, explore proven approaches, and build stronger regional connections that unlock collective impact.

Event Schedule:

9:00 – 9:30 AM: Coffee, Light Bites, & Networking

9:30 – 10:00 AM: Welcome & The State of Municipal Innovation in Maine

Keynote Speaker: Samantha Horn, Director of the Maine Office of Community Affairs

10:00 – 11:00 AM: Kickoff Panel: Bold Ideas from Municipal Leaders

11:00 – 11:15 AM: Coffee Break

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM: Innovation Lightning Talks: What Works in Small Municipalities

12:00 – 1:00 PM: Lunch & Networking

1:00 – 2:00 PM Regional Solutions Panel

2:00 – 4:00 PM: IdeaJAM – The Roux Institute’s signature ideation event, designed to help stakeholders validate problems, shape early-stage concepts, and gain real-time insights from peers and the broader entrepreneurial community. This facilitated, high-energy session invites teams to choose one of three pressing challenges and collaboratively explore and develop potential solutions.

Municipal Innovation Day is part of the Breakthrough Maine Event Series, presented by Northeastern University’s Roux Institute and Maine Technology Institute. The series brings together students, partners, innovators, entrepreneurs, faculty and researchers, and community leaders to showcase Maine’s innovation ecosystem and foster collaboration across the region.