MaineCTE Business Summit: Full Schedule

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8:00am EDT

Breakfast

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am EDT

8:45am EDT

Policy & Action: Student Perspectives Panel

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am EDT

Panelists: Current and former CTE students sharing their lived experiences and career trajectories.

Description: Join the panel of current and former CTE students as they share how hands-on learning prepared them for professional success. They will discuss the specific skills, certifications, and mentorships that bridged the gap between graduation and the workforce. Attendees will gain firsthand perspectives on the long-term ROI of CTE programs and strategies for empowering the next generation of industry leaders.

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am EDT

10:00am EDT

Bridging the Gap: What Businesses Need from CTE Graduates

Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Description: Maine CTE programs are dedicated to ensuring students enter the workforce ready to contribute from day one. This work session invites educators and industry leaders to collaborate on defining the essential technical and durable skills required by today’s employers. Participants will examine emerging industry needs and co-develop strategies to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and real-world employment.

Facilitator: Mike Felton

Speakers

Michael Felton

Executive Director, Grace Innovation Center

Mike was hired as St. George Municipal School Unit’s first superintendent in 2015. In that role, he focused on developing partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, and civic organizations to better meet the needs of students and families.

While superintendent, Mike helped lead a community effort, in partnership with MidCoast School of Technology, to develop the nation’s first PreK-12 Career & Technical Education program. In August 2025, after a three-year campaign that raised over $4.6 million, St. George opened... Read More →

Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

11:15am EDT

Regional Breakout Sessions

Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm EDT

Group discussions organized by region to develop actionable next steps and local implementation plans.

Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm EDT

12:15pm EDT

Conference Recap and Closing

Tuesday July 21, 2026 12:15pm - 12:30pm EDT

Join 27 Maine Administrators of Career and Technical Education (MACTE) for a comprehensive summary of the conference’s key takeaways. We will highlight the pivotal ideas surfaced during the event and provide a call to action on how we will continue this vital work in the months ahead.