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Call for Papers

Calling all industry thought leaders to share insights, experience, and to suggest topic ideas to present at the upcoming State and National conference, Maine Innovation Summit.


In 2023, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Aging and Disability Services awarded grants of up to $500,000 to 19 programs to support development of innovation pilot projects in the state of Maine in alignment with Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) goals.

The Maine Innovation Summit is looking for innovative content and expert speakers from Maine, as well as nationally, for panels and breakout sessions during our event May 19-20, 2025 in Portland, Maine. Speaker proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Instructions: (download instructions here)
Proposals will only be accepted through the online form at www.innovationsummitme.com/speak. Speakers/companies/organizations may submit up to three proposals. Our Summit team will work with the selected speaker throughout the session development process to ensure compliance with the stated objectives and to avoid overt commercialism.
Please note that all Summit sessions will be recorded using video and audio and will be made available on a public website. By submitting a proposal, you are granting the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Office of Aging and Disability Services permission to share the recording of your session with the public.

Speaker Selection Criteria:
The content team will make selections considering the following criteria:

  • Concise objectives

  • Actionable takeaways for attendees

  • A unique take on the latest trends in Disability Services that will inspire and educate

  • A diverse voice and point of view

  • Shows engagement, mobilization and enthusiasm on the topic

  • Alignment with the policy objectives of the proposed Lifespan waiver (Details found at HCBS Lifespan Project | Department of Health and Human Services (maine.gov))


Speaker Proposals Should Include:

  • Where possible, describe opportunities for waiver participants from Maine be a part of the presentation

  • Describe how the proposed talk aligns with Lifespan policy objectives

  • Presentation format (Individual/Breakout or Panel) (note: panels are limited to 4 participants total)

  • Target audiences

  • Learning objectives

  • Top three take-aways for audience members

  • Education delivery methods

  • Speaker CV

  • Speaker headshot

  • Speaker bio

  • Adaptations for presenting (accessibility requests)


Potential Topic Areas Include:

  • Lifespan Services

  • Service-delivery methods that are being implemented with strong outcomes across the nation – emerging strategies

  • Managing change in a range of stakeholder groups, from consumers to provider agencies, to advocacy groups

  • Implementing HCBS

  • Assistive Technology

  • Employment

  • Community Inclusion and Participation

  • Other Technology Tools

  • Other Innovations


Projected Timeline
If you have submitted a speaking proposal, they are being reviewed on a rolling basis. Here’s the projected timeline:​

  • Registration opens: mid-January 2025

  • Summit: May 19 - 20, 2025


Speaker Benefits

  • Complimentary and non-transferable full registration to the Summit

  • Promotion as an official speaker on relevant marketing materials


Please Note:

  • Speaking is a volunteer professional and collegial opportunity to share your insights, projects, and organization. Compensation for speaking fees and travel is not provided unless otherwise indicated.

  • Speakers are responsible for arranging their own hotel and travel arrangements.

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