Inclusion Maine conference postponed until August

File Photo / Jim Neuger Muhammad Humza Khan, a Mainebiz 40 Under 40 honoree in 2024, is the founder and CEO of Inclusion Maine.

Write a Comment

By Renee Cordes

Citing legal and funding challenges for some community members, the organizer of the Inclusion Maine conference has postponed the three-day Portland event by six months.

Originally scheduled for Feb. 11-13 at the Holiday Inn By the Bay, this year’s agenda had included a health care leaders’ summit on talent, a panel discussion on attracting diverse talent and a coaching session on diversity, equity and inclusion.

The postponement comes amid federal funding uncertainty for many of the nonprofits that had been expected to attend, and in the wake of President Donald Trump’s attempts to reverse affirmative action, including an order ending decades-old diversity requirements for federal contractors.

“We are moving the dates because some members of our community are facing legal challenges and some organizations are facing uncertainty in their budget,” Muhammad Humza Khan, founder and CEO of Inclusion Maine, said in a Sunday email announcing that the conference has been moved to Aug. 12-14 at the same venue.

Khan founded Inclusion Maine in 2020 as an educational resource for business on DEI.

“Shifting the dates allows us to avert potential challenges and be prepared for them,” Khan said in his email. "I apologize for the change." He also said that the agenda and conference would see some "small changes."

Khan, a Mainebiz 40 Under 40 honoree in 2024, did not immediately respond to a request for further details.

In a second email on Sunday, Inclusion Maine said that the delay aims to “avert potential challenges and ensure that we are fully prepared to deliver an exceptional experience for all attendees." The message listed the names and logos of dozens of conference sponsors, including MEMIC, Unum and Northern Light Health.

Attendees are being urged to cancel their bookings at the Holiday Inn, with the organizer promising to provide room block details in coming weeks. For those who have already registered, Inclusion Maine said the registration will be transferred to the new dates. The organization also pledged to help anyone seeking a refund.