PNAA Advance Conference 2024

PNAA & award winners at the 2024 Advance conference Awards & Scholarship Banquet

This year’s PNAA Advance Conference was a whirlwind! Tuesday night, PNAA hosted its annual Awards & Scholarship Banquet, where they announced the Excellence Award winners. Two of the awards focused on companies that are working on expanding employment opportunities for students and adults with disabilities or employment barriers, opening the doors to this untapped workforce, with mentorship and inclusion. Two award winners specific to these opportunities: Inspire Award - Pathfinder Manufacturing, and Chair Award - Skills Inc. 

Alternative energy sources developing throughout the Pacific Northwest provided an interesting look at the options and growth of hydrogen fuel with the goal of not only being safe but also providing efficiencies, decarbonization, and zero-emissions.

One of the most interesting booths was the Boeing immersive theater. This 3D experience provided a look inside the Boeing 777-8 Freighter while propulsion engines, cars, animals, and fish were loaded in this temperature-controlled environment. It is similar to the current Boeing freighter but is longer, with folding composite wings, and a new flight deck. This cargo plane is expected to be available in 2027.

Boeing's Immersive Theater at PNAA's Advance 2024 Conference

A special thank you, Lisa Jameson, Director of Contracts & Continuing Education at EvCC’s Corporate & Continuing Education Center for sharing your experience at the conference!