WATERVILLE — Dirigo Labs and its partner, the Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship, have announced that Kennebec Savings Bank will once again be the lead sponsor for the 2023 Better Maine Conference.

The conference, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 5 at the Maine Film Center at 93 Main St., intends to focus on “Growing a Diverse Workforce.” The feature keynote speaker is Kerem Durdag, president and chief operating officer of GWI.

The conference brings together business leaders, policymakers and workforce development professionals to share best practices and innovations around talent attraction, upskilling employees, diversity initiatives, leadership development, and more. Last year’s inaugural event drew 75 attendees from across Maine.

“We are thrilled to host this event each year as a catalyst for ideas, collaboration, and real progress on some of Maine’s greatest economic challenges,” said Emalee Couture, program manager at Dirigo Labs. “With partners like Kennebec Savings Bank, we can continue working to make Maine the best place to live, work, and build a career for all.”

Durdag will share insights from personal experience in Maine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and through his work at GWI. There will be panel discussions and workshops throughout the day.

For more details and registration information, visit the Better Maine Conference Eventbrite page at eventbrite.com.