More than 400 business leaders, legislators and emerging leaders convened at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland for the Maine Development Foundation's (MDF) 31st Annual Meeting.

The day started with an uplifting and inspiring speech by MDF President and CEO, Laurie Lachance.

"Someone once said we are only limited by our imagination. Today I ask you to take a journey with me to imagine all that Maine is and all that it could be" stated Lachance. "And, once again, I ask every single one of you to take some personal responsibility for moving Maine forward so that the Maine that we envision is not just a figment of our imagination but a reality. Just imagine a state where the people are creative and practical, the companies are innovative and resourceful, and the culture honors the past, celebrates the present, and engages in shaping the future," continued Lachance.

This was followed by the presentation of several awards that honored those who are truly making a difference in our great state:

Ken Curtis Leadership Award
James Conlon, President, Bangor Savings Bank

Main Street Hero Award
R.H. Reny, Inc.

REALIZE!Maine Champion Award
Momentum Aroostook

Maine Employers' Initiative Champion of Education Award
Cianbro Corporation

Champions for Economic Development
• The Charlotte White Center
• Backyard Farms
• Gulf of Maine Research Institute
• Reed and Reed Construction

Doug Hall, a nationally renowned inventor, entrepreneur, best-selling author, and the founder and CEO of Eureka!Ranch, gave the keynote address. Doug challenged the audience to take personal responsibility for the future of Maine and take action to be innovative and proactive. In an exciting and dynamic presentation Doug reminded businesses that innovation is the key to growth and profits - without investment in innovation businesses will fall behind the competition.

Doug and his Eureka!Ranch team provide training and consulting for inventing breakthrough ideas for new products or business methods. They have worked closely with executives from numerous Fortune 500 companies including Nike, Walt Disney, American Express and Proctor & Gamble. Doug's book, Jump Start Your Business Brain, was a #1 national bestseller. He is also a columnist for Business Week SmallBiz and hosts the Jump Start Your Brain daily advice feature on over 400 radio stations.

Doug Hall is spending this fall teaching a course in "Innovation Engineering" at his alma mater, the University of Maine. He is also donating his time over the next year to connect innovators in Maine with opportunities and has set high benchmarks in an effort to get Maine to be the national leader in innovation.