MaineBusiness.com

Camden, ME - The organizers of the 2009 Juice Conference, “Building Maine’s Innovation Networks,” today announced a star-studded array of keynote speakers for their November conference in Camden. These speakers are Nick Spitzer from National Public Radio, Doug Hall, inventor and founder of Eureka! Ranch, Joe Lstiburek, principal of the Building Science Corporation, and Marci Rossell, former chief economist for CNBC.

These ingenious heavy weights of the Creative Economy will add their expertise to a conference that is set to bring together over 500 of Maine’s most creative entrepreneurs, artists, innovators and statewide leaders at the intersection of technology, tradition and design for the purpose of charting the future of Maine’s economy. The conference takes place on November 13 and 14 in Camden, Maine.

Nick Spitzer from National Public Radio’s American Routes will kick-off the two-day conference. Spitzer is the producer and host of the radio show American Routes, a weekly program devoted to vernacular music and culture, reaching over 1 million listeners on 250 stations. A folklorist and professor of American studies at Tulane University, Spitzer was recognized as Louisiana Humanist of the Year in 2006 and has been a regular guest on Nightline, BBC, and ABC News, regarding his work to help rebuild communities along the Gulf Coast. Spitzer has produced over a dozen LP/CD recordings of American music. He will address the Juice 2.0 conference audience on the topic of “Valuing Culture from Louisiana to Maine.”

“We are thrilled to expose Juice 2.0 participants to such a charismatic and well-rounded speaker as Nick Spitzer,” says Amber Heffner, Vice President of the Midcoast Magnet Board and President of Little Harbor Technology in Rockland, Maine. “Maine has a vibrant cultural tradition and Nick will illustrate how important it is to invest in the people and traditions that are the foundation of what Maine is all about.”

Embracing Maine’s entrepreneurial spirit will be the topic of a second keynote speaker, Doug Hall. Hall is an inventor and Founder and CEO of Eureka! Ranch, an invention and research think tank. Hall has been described as “an eccentric entrepreneur who might just have…the happy secret to success.” Hall has written several books, including Meaningful Marketing and a No. 1 national bestseller, Jump Start Your Business Brain. At Juice 2.0, Hall will discuss “The Art of Innovation.” Hall is currently a visiting Professor at the University of Maine.

“Juice 2.0 links all corners of the creative economy,” says Skip Bates, Midcoast Magnet Board President and Vice President of Business Banking for conference sponsor Bangor Savings Bank. “The conference speakers will cover the arts, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, focusing on innovation and creativity throughout.”

A third speaker will be Joe Lstiburek, principal of the Building Science Corporation. Lstiburek is one of the world’s foremost authorities on energy efficient construction techniques. “Building science may seem like a very specialized topic,” says George Callas of the Midcoast Magnet Board, “but Lstiburek is a dynamic speaker who thinks very deeply about the relationship of buildings to our well being, opportunities for local economic development, and the importance of energy independence to national security. In a state where builders and the related trades represent a significant employment sector, Lstiburek’s address might just be a lightning rod.” Lstiburek will discuss “Innovations & Implications of Renovation.”

Juice 2.0 will conclude with Marci Rossell, former Chief Economist for CNBC. Rossell electrifies audiences nationwide, speaking on the nexus of economics, politics, culture and the media. Known for tackling complex issues, Rossell will wrap up the conference and set the stage for post conference action through her address, “The Creative Economy; Re-forming Business, Government & Personal Finance”.

In addition to these talented speakers, the Juice Conference will feature over 40 panel discussions on topics including social networking, arts education, non-profit fundraising, venture capital, and entrepreneurial success stories. Conference tickets are $175 if purchased before October 15 and $225 thereafter. Special rates are available for volunteers, speakers and for groups with four or more attendees. To find out more about what the conference offers, and to register, set up a group rate, or for more information on volunteering or the event in general go to: www.juiceconference.org or email info@juiceconference.org.

Images available upon request.