DIVERSE 2010 PORTLAND MAINE, USA portlandmaine/

1. DIVERSE 2010PORTLAND MAINE, USAhttp://www.portlandmaine.com/

2. Everything Maine - The Greater Portland and Casco Bay Area Welcomes You! • Nestled between Maine's forest-covered mountains and spectacular rugged coast is the historic and vibrant city of Portland. With a metro population of 230,000, the Greater Portland area is home to almost one quarter of Maine's total population. The population of the city is 64,000. • Maine offers unspoiled landscapes, beautiful vistas, succulent lobster, stately lighthouses, outdoor adventures, exceptional shopping, and much, much more...  In the Casco Bay region of Greater Portland to Freeport you'll find it all within a 15 mile radius surrounding the state's largest city - Portland.

3. Sure, there's more to see throughout the state of Maine, • from Bar Harbor's Acadia National Park to mile-high Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State Park.  But right here, in Greater Portland, you can experience a bit of what everyone's talking about, a small piece of "everything Maine."  From mountains to lakes, city to country, inland to coast, nature to nightlife, welcome to Greater Portland's Casco Bay!

4. As its name suggests, the Portland area is strongly linked to the sea. The port is the heart, the soul- and to a large extent, the muscle- of these dynamic cities. From containerships to luxury cruise ships, Portland harbor can handle the largest seagoing vessels. At the same time, the harbor is dotted with ferries and colorful pleasure boats. The Port of Portland is a working waterfront but, it has a playful side. • Throughout its long history, Portland has attracted shippers to its port. Our natural deepwater, ice free harbor is among the best-protected on the East Coast. Commercial fleets as well as passenger boats find a welcome refuge here- as they enjoy the rare beauty and great opportunities the Portland area provides.

5. Getting there: • The Downeaster train! The improved schedule provides earlier morning arrivals to Boston North Station at 8:25 am and 10:30 am and peak departures at 5:00 pm and 6:20 pm that are perfect for business and commuter travelers. http://www.thedowneaster.com/commuting.html

6. By bus: • The Logan advantage; • You can fly into Boston and take a Concord Trailways from the door by your baggage claim directly to Portland in just 1 ½ hours non-stop for $42. round trip.

7. Where to stay:

8. Downtown Portland has an eclectic mix of hotels, many with water views, all within walking distance of the Old Port and Arts District. Our full service hotels range from rehabilitated historic buildings to contemporary design. • Eastland Park Hotel157 High St 207.775.5411 www.eastlandparkhotel.comHistoric hotel with 202 rooms, restaurant, roof top lounge, meeting spaces & complimentary wireless internet access. • Hilton Garden Inn 65 Commercial St 207.780.0780 www.hiltongardeninnportland.com In Portland's historic Old Port/Waterfront district. Fantastic views of Portland harbor. Breakfast & dinner. • Holiday Inn by the Bay 88 Spring St 207.775.2311 www.innbythebay.com Stay with us, park free & walk to the Old Port, Waterfront, Arts District & Civic Center.Portland Harbor Hotel 468 Fore St 207.775.9090 www.portlandharborhotel.com Experience Old Port charm, distinctive details & impeccable service. • Portland Regency Hotel 20 Milk St 207.774.4200 www.theregency.com Historic "Old Port" District, Armory Restaurant & Lounge conference facilities, Day Spa & Fitness Studio.

9. University housing:

10. Maine Seafood: • Maine seafood has attained true cult status. This is partly because of the special properties of the Gulf of Maine, whose deep, cold waters help insure quality and freshness. It is also thanks to the efforts of a large cadre of devoted fishermen and lobsters trying hard to harvest the sea’s bounty safely and wisely.

11. Beer & BeverageMicrobreweries Offer Toasts, Tours and Tastings • Maine became the first state in the U.S. to outlaw alcohol back in 1851, when it established its own rather curious form of Prohibition. But “The Maine Law,” as that early prohibition act was known, did not stop more than 50 breweries from being established around the state in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Devoted beer drinkers found so many ways around the law that, on more than one occasion, Maine’s governor was urged to call out the state militia to deal with violations. And in 1985, Maine became one of the first states in the nation to pass legislation allowing small breweries to serve their brew on their own premises. • Today, Maine’s microbreweries are nationally known for their artisanal quaffs. Many offer tours and tastings, and some have their own restaurants or pubs. An annual brewers’ festival takes place every November in Portland to celebrate the state’s fine microbrews.

12. The University of Southern Maine • The University of Southern Maine is the largest of the seven campuses of the University of Maine System, as well as one of the oldest, with its founding in Gorham in 1878. USM is a major educational force in the overall growth and improvement of the economic, civic, social, and cultural fabric of southern Maine. From its campuses in Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston, USM offers baccalaureate, master's, and Ph.D. degree programs, providing students with rich learning opportunities in the arts, humanities, politics, health sciences, business, mass communications, science, engineering, and technology. • The University is comprised of eight academic units: • School of Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology • College of Arts and Sciences • School of Business • College of Education and Human Development • Lewiston-Auburn College • Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service • University of Maine School of Law • College of Nursing and Health Professions

13. Conference support:

14. Center for technology education and learning • USM's Center for Technology-Enhanced Learning (CTEL) supports the efforts of faculty, departments, and programs, who want to develop programs and courses for delivery through online and blended learning environments. • CTEL is particularly interested in supporting courses and programs that attract new audiences to USM (e.g. place-bound, working adults) and expand higher education opportunities for the people of Maine and beyond.

15. Equipment available: • equipment available for the classroom and check-out: • VHS video players and monitors • televisions • video disk players & monitors • camcorders • boomboxes (CD players) • carousel slide projectors • audio cassette recorders • easels • portable public address systems and microphones • 16 mm film projectors • overhead projectors • screens • computers • video projectors

16. Features of the Abromson Center • The 33,000-square-foot Abromson Center is named for Linda Abromson and her late husband, Joel. Linda is a former Portland city councilor; mayor; faculty member in USM's Center for Continuing Education, and former candidate for Congress. Joel Abromson, who was elected four times to the Maine Senate, fought for affordable health care and to prevent discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. • A 15,000-square-foot classroom/office building features six classrooms, a conference room, and a computer classroom. The classrooms are designed to also serve as meeting spaces. The main lobby is named the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Lobby. • The 570-square-foot computer classroom, known as the The Banknorth Charitable Foundation Room, features a glass wall facing an atrium, through which people pass on their way to and from the attached parking garage. • The 520-seat Hannaford Lecture Hall, includes a 130-seat mezzanine level to provide better sound and visual qualities.

17. An attached, 1,200-car parking garage makes accessing the many events, classes, and programs held at the Abromson Center convenient and hassle free • The Alumni Skywalk, a 160-foot enclosed glass pedestrian skywalk. The skywalk connects the Abromson Center and the attached USM parking garage to a landscaped plaza between Luther Bonney and Masterton Halls on the opposite side of Bedford Street. The skywalk is expected to dramatically improve pedestrian safety and increase accessibility to the parking garage and the Abromson Center. • The Abromson Center incorporates “green” design features and may become the first LEED Gold Certified building in Maine. Green design serves as the foundation for the U.S Green Building Council LEED Certification program. Under the program, the number of green design elements utilized in a space determines the level that space can be LEED certified (basic, silver, gold or platinum). • The cost of the entire complex—approximately $25 million—came from a combination of a 2001 state bond, campus fees, and private and federal funds

18. Planning services: • Meeting and Conference Management • Site location research, selection, and negotiations • Financial management — pay one bill! • Logistical arrangements including transportation, food service, audio visual equipment, entertainment and more • On-site coordination • Computerized Registration and Housing • Conference registration — receipt, process, and up-to-the minute reports • Fee handling • Confirmations • Housing and attendee list • Pre- and on-site registration • Daily report of attendees • Professional name badges • Signage

19. Dean Betty Lou Whitford the faculty and staff of the College of Education and Human Development and Professional Development Center look forward to welcoming you to the University of Southern Maine for DIVERSE2010, the 10th anniversary of DIVERSE!

20. PORTLAND MAINE YOUR DESTINATION IN JULY 2010