Workplace Wellness Leadership Symposium to Focus on the Successful Execution of Wellness Programs

AUBURN, Maine - Businesses from across the state of Maine will gather at the second-annual Workplace Wellness Leadership Symposium in September to learn more about building worksite programs that are proven to improve employee moral and productivity, reduce absenteeism, decrease health care costs and moderate ever-increasing insurance premiums.

Dr. Joseph Leutzinger, President of the Academy for Health and Productivity Management and founder of Health Improvement Solutions, is the featured keynote speaker at the symposium, which is scheduled for Sept. 23rd at the Hilton Garden Inn Riverwatch in Auburn.

Leutzinger's presentation is titled "The Health and Productivity Connection: Program Justification Beyond Health Care Claims." He has written extensively about workplace wellness and has lectured on the topic across the United States and abroad.

"We're excited to have a nationally known expert on workplace wellness come to Maine and show businesses how they can build their bottom lines while helping improve quality of life for their employees," said Jaime Laliberte, executive director of the Wellness Council of Maine (WLCME). WLCME, a licensed partner of the Wellness Council of America, is presenting the symposium along with major sponsors EMHS and Mercer.

This 2nd annual state-wide symposium, which pulled in 200 business leaders in 2009, will also feature speakers from Maine's business and healthcare industries to share their experience and knowledge. In addition to Dr. Leutzinger's presentation, the morning session will feature speakers from the National Worksite Benefit Group, GEI Consultants and MaineHealth.

Topics will center on encouragement of a healthier workforce through benefits design, occupational hygiene and the proper and effective use of incentives for wellness programming.

The afternoon offers two breakout sessions. The first will allow participants to choose between three business case studies from companies of various sizes. The second session helps attendees put evidence into practice; highlighting research and trends in the areas of medical self-care, tobacco cessation and depression in the workplace, and offering strategies for making positive changes in these areas.

"I am thrilled that we have this platform to reach out to organizations in Maine that are looking for assistance and encouragement regarding their workplace wellness efforts," said Laliberte. "Workplace health promotion is becoming increasingly essential to control health care expense and to elevate employee productivity. With today's economic climate, results-oriented wellness programs are a critical business strategy that provides a competitive edge for the companies that implement them."

The Wellness Council of Maine is a program of the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce and a licensed partner of the Wellness Council of America, one of the nation's most trusted voices on workplace wellness. WLCME provides resources, leadership, guidance and support for businesses across Maine to develop and enhance results-oriented workplace wellness initiatives.