The Forum 2024, held March 23–26 in Washington DC, brought together 1,300 attendees, more than 200 speakers, over 60 breakout sessions, six general sessions, and five NAWB Awards presentations. This year marked the debut of NAWB’s new abbreviated logo and the introduction of our new President and CEO, Brad Turner-Little, who served as MC during all general sessions.
Highlights from The Forum 2024
The event’s central hub for networking, NAWBTown, featured Sponsor Zones, the Member Zone, and the Town Square, which hosted the Welcome Reception, Jazz in the Park, headlined by DC’s beloved jazz band, Secret Society.
NAWB Board Chair Lisanne McNew set the tone with an energetic entrance, dancing onto the stage to a live DJ. She introduced Brad Turner-Little, who shared his vision for NAWB and the workforce development community. Keynote speaker Eric Termuende, best-selling author and workforce trends expert, captivated the audience with insights on trust within teams and communities.
Attendees supported Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle businesses using $25 vouchers courtesy of NAWB, fostering connections with the local economy.
Inspiring remarks came from Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and Kristen Christy, America’s Resilience Trainer. Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman of the SBA joined Lisanne McNew to announce a new partnership between NAWB and the SBA.
The packed session covered FY24/25 budgets, WIOA reauthorization, short-term Pell reform, and National Apprenticeship Act (NAA) reauthorization.
DOL Regional Administrators and NAWB Regional Liaisons hosted discussions on workforce challenges in six US DOL regions. The day concluded with remarks from Deputy Assistant Secretary Lenita Jacobs-Simmons and White House Senior Advisor Tom Perez. Additional sessions, led by NSF and USDA, focused on job quality, innovation, and rural workforce development.
Topics included virtual reality in apprenticeships, workforce strategies for justice-involved individuals, clean technology, DEIAB, childcare’s role in workforce development, and demystifying AI.
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