Mainebiz Special Editions

M a i n e — A P h oto P o rt r A i t o f t h e P i n e t r ee S tAt e P r o f i l e s i n e x c e l l e n c e 144 M ainebiz is a multimedia company pro- viding business news, information and analysis for business owners and C-level executives in Maine. Founded in 1994, with offices in Portland, Mainebiz delivers Maine's business news and information in a variety of ways to help the statewide business community ac- cess what it needs: online, in person at events, and in multiple media such as print, social media, video and enewsletters. Mainebiz covers business and economic trends, is- sues and news through credible, evocative and stimu- lating writing; consistently produces high quality, well-designed products with exceptional art, graph- ics and photography on issues critical to the busi- ness community; and provides a forum for ideas for Maine's business community. In 1994, John Whitney, a Maine native who had launched a number of specialty newspapers in Maine, had just returned from Boston where he had started a retail guide for Newbury Street and a neighborhood paper for Cambridge. He returned to Maine to pursue the idea of a creating a new business journal. With about $1,500 in startup money, Whitney pro- duced his prototype. "It was a totally bootstrap op- eration, but it was always a serious business journal," says Whitney. By 1999 the paper had expanded beyond Portland, was published every other week, and had profes- sional staff in each department. Annual ad revenues approached $400,000. Balancing the desire to continue growing the business with the need for more cash flow, Whitney sold Mainebiz that year to Worcester Publishing Co., now called New England Business Media, the parent company of Worcester Business Jour- nal and Hartford Business Journal. Today, Mainebiz reports revenues upwards of $1.9 million and delivers Maine's business news not only through its bi-weekly print publication, but also via dai- ly emails, an interactive website, social media, videos, data, supplements, directories, and numerous events for the business community throughout the year. Mainebiz excels at its commitment to providing opportunities for members of Maine's business com- munity to come together. For example, the Mainebiz Momentum Convention is an annual event produced for Maine's business community. The Augusta-based convention brings together CEOs, marketing execu- tives, human resources managers, business owners, sales managers, technology directors and profes- sionals to spend a day with their peers learning, networking and getting inspired to build momen- tum for their business. Companies can exhibit their products and services in the large Exhibition Hall, while advancing skills and learning best practices at the Mainebiz U educational sessions. The convention provides many networking opportunities through- out the day, culminating with a reception on the floor of the Exhibition Hall. Mainebiz produces three annual events to honor and recognize successful business leaders. These in- clude the Mainebiz Business Leaders of the Year, where Members of the Mainebiz editorial team, from left, Staff Writer Matt Dodge, Senior Writer Jim McCarthy, Online Editor Mindy Woerter and Editor Carol Coultas, far right, discuss a cover design with Graphic Designer Matt Selva. Mainebiz P h o t o s B y t i M G r e e n W ay The mission of Mainebiz is to be the leading source of Maine business news and analysis.

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