Between 350 and 400 people are expected to attend the four-day event, which will include talks, moderated discussions, small working groups and hands-on sessions.
An expo was held at the VIA Agency headquarters in Portland. The event was organized by Kristan Vermeulen, founder and host of the "Makers of the USA" podcast.
Founded in 1882 as the Portland School of Art, the institution will now call itself Maine College of Art & Design as it proceeds with plans to expand its physical footprint in Maine's largest city.
Like a lot of small business owners, The VIA Agency founder and Chairman John Coleman didn't relish the prospect of a giant out-of-state operator swallowing advertising agency he spent 23 years building. An Employee Stock Ownership Plan offered a promising alternative.