The 2024 NIB/NAEPB Training Conference and Expo was a smashing success, with over 900 registrants from across the country attending the four-day event held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA.
New this year were panel discussions with NIB associated nonprofit agency CEOs – including one composed of female CEOs who shared the paths they took to achieve agency leadership and another featuring agency CEOs who “came up through the ranks” to lead their organizations. Attendees also heard from members of the U.S. AbilityOne Commission, speakers from the U.S. General Services Administration, Office of Federal Procurement Policy, Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, and more, along with training sessions keyed toward three specific tracks: the AbilityOne Program in Action, Business Excellence and Federal Procurement, and Leadership and Workforce Development.
Nearly 70 vendors took part in the Expo, showing off SKILCRAFT, co-branded, and other associated nonprofit agency-produced items ranging from socks and boots, military uniforms, fire hoses, pens, clocks, cleaning solvents, notepads, paper cups, and countless other items.
NIB and NAEPB presented awards to agency, commercial, and government partners and acknowledged 79 Employee of the Year nominees as part of the annual observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, naming two overall winners: Olek Onikiienko from the Association for Visual Rehabilitation and Employment in Binghamton, NY, the winner of the 2024 Peter J. Salmon Employee of the Year Award; and Terrie Collins of Alphapointe in Kansas City, MO, recipient of the 2024 Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement Award.
Our EOY winners and nominees enjoyed several fun activities, including a tour of the monuments, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, in Washington, D.C. and a murder-mystery dinner. A dueling pianos show by Bobby McKeys was a highlight for all attendees.
Other new features this year included AccessTech, a Smart Office and Accessible Technology Showcase on October 15-16. Its opening act was a screening of the Oscar-nominated short film “Feeling Through” – the first film to star a DeafBlind actor – followed by a panel discussion that included the film’s director. Also part of AccessTech was the debut of ally, the first personal and conversational artificial intelligence (AI) assistant from Envision, as well as innovative assistive technology and AI apps. Local news station ABC7 was one of the many visitors to the AccessTech event!