2024 Events & Celebrations

[Background music plays]

The Empower Training Conference and Expo logo appears on screen, followed in order by an exterior shot of the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, an interior shot of the TCE registration desk, and the first female speaker.

Female speaker one: Kimberly Zeich, Executive Director, U.S. AbilityOne Commission, appears onscreen speaking at a lectern.

“It is always a great honor and privilege to attend the NIB/NAEPB Training Conference and Expo because I enjoy reconnecting with our colleagues nationwide, and I really enjoy the interaction that we have with the Employees of the Year. We learn so much from all of you.”

While she speaks, a montage of video clips plays of people registering and walking around the conference, as well as images from Employee of the Year orientation. Background music continues to play.

Male speaker one: Erv Koehler, Assistant Commissioner, U.S. General Services Administration, Federal Acquisition Service. Erv is shown speaking at a lectern.

“This is actually my favorite trip of the year to take because it's one of the few times in government that we get to step back a little bit and say ‘Hey, we do cool stuff.’ We get to share and support an incredible mission, so I can't thank you all enough just for letting me be part of it.”

Video montage of agency CEOs and NIB and NSITE panelists plays. Background music continues.

Male speaker two: Brigadier General Landis C. Maddox, Commander, DLA Troop Support, appears on screen speaking at the lectern.

“Our AbilityOne partners have provided great customer support to us, which in turn, allows us to provide great support to the men and women of our great, mighty military, as well as our federal partners.”

As he speaks, a lighted stage decoration spelling Empower is shown, followed by a video montage featuring shots of the audience, a Marine Corps color guard marching into the conference ballroom and presenting the colors, Employee of the Year speakers, NAEPB President Jeff Mittman and NIB President and CEO Soraya Correa, a panel of U.S. AbilityOne Commission representatives, and audience members asking questions of the panelists.

Background music continues.

Another video montage shows additional images from the conference as well as footage from the Expo entrance and floor, with attendees visiting vendor booths, shaking hands with agency representatives at those booths, and waving to the camera.

Female speaker two: NIB President and CEO Soraya Correa's voice is head over the Expo footage.

“I hope everyone got the chance to go visit the Expo. That was amazing!”

Correa appears briefly onscreen at a lectern, then the video montage of the Expo returns to the screen, showing various assistive technologies including magnifying readers and smart glasses. Correa continues speaking as that footage plays: “It was just phenomenal, to meet everybody, to see all the products, to have an opportunity to chat with all the different employees from all the different nonprofit agencies, so thank you again for being here.”

A panel comprised of four men, one woman, and two sign-language interpreters appears on screen.

Male speaker number three: Dr. Hoby Wedler, Host, NIB's Heard & Empowered podcast: “When you have different people doing things that you wouldn't necessarily expect them to be doing, the world becomes our oyster, and we realize that anything is possible.”

A video montage of that panel plays, including shots of one panelist answering in sign language. This is followed by another short montage of a panel comprised of all-female CEOs.

Female speaker three appears at the lectern: Angela Hartley, Executive Vice President, National Industries for the Blind.

“This is our opportunity to recognize our partners both in the government and the private sector, our associated nonprofit agencies, our Base Supply Centers, and our customers for their outstanding partnership over the past year.”

A montage of still photos of various award winners posing with Jeff Mittman and Soraya Correa plays while Hartley speaks. This is followed by a video montage of other panels held during the conference.

Female speaker two, Soraya Correa, reappears onscreen. She is behind the lectern during a dinner celebrating Employees of the Year.

“I want to recognize all of the employees that were nominated for these awards. Every single one of you is an extraordinary person, and I'm honored to be here and congratulate you.”

As she speaks, a video montage of the celebration dinner is shown, including crowd shots and footage of national winners Olek Onikiienko and Terrie Collins receiving their awards. Loud applause is heard, and Soraya continues to speak.

“As I hear your stories, I am always inspired by your courage, your perseverance, and your resilience. Keep doing what you do — you make a difference.”

The screen fades to white and the NIB logo appears in blue, then fades out and is replaced by the Empower logo as the background music stops playing.