Municipal Innovation Day, hosted by the Roux Institute in collaboration with the Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) and the Midcoast Council of Governments (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

10:00 – 11:15 AM: Kickoff Panel: Bold Ideas from Municipal Leaders

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

12:00 – 1:00 PM: Lunch & Networking

1:00 – 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.

4:00 PM: Closing Reception