We’re still working on how to squeeze all this great content into two short days! The final agenda will be announced soon, and the ticket sales will begin this week.

Here’s some previews of our keynote speakers:

Sarah Goodyear of the podcast The War on Cars will join us to discuss her new book, Life After Cars. Maine is one of the most car-dependent states in the nation, with our far-flung settlements, small cities and towns, and chronic underinvestment in public transportation, very few trips in Maine are taken by any means other than a private vehicle. We built a sprawling, expensive highway and road system with generous federal subsidies and a growing population, but that money has dried up. The distance cost of infrastructure like roads, pipes, and services is squeezing our municipalities. Already 30% of Maine’s population - over 400,000 people - do not drive, and must rely on family, friends, taxis, or very limited public transportation to get around. The high personal and climate costs of driving is also turning more young people away from driving. Meanwhile, southern Maine is growing quickly, and we’re not making more land for people to drive and park. What does Maine do about this? Are we prepared for Life After Cars?