NW Innovation Resource Center

🌊 What a great day at Bellingham SeaFeast 2026! ⚓️

NWIRC had a fantastic time demonstrating Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs), connecting with the community, and talking all things maritime robotics and ocean technology. 🤖🌊

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to learn, ask questions, and share our excitement for the future of marine technology!

Innovation

EVENT 1: EDASC MARITIME INNOVATION SYMPOSIUM DEMONSTRATION + AUTONOMOUS SURFACE VESSEL (ASV) DEMONSTRATION

Begin the day at the Maritime Workforce Roundtable on Friday, September 25 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Seafarers Memorial Park Building | Anacortes

Then we’re taking the conversation to the water. NWIRC and our partners will showcase an Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) demonstration featuring technology from Landon Robotics. The approximately 12-foot, battery-electric vessel is capable of speeds up to five knots and uses onboard camera technology and AIS to navigate around other vessels. It’s a chance to see emerging maritime technology in action—and to connect the dots between innovation, the companies developing and adopting new technologies, and the workforce that will support the maritime industry of tomorrow.

EVENT 2: NWIRC AT SEAFEAST! Sunday, September 27 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM https://www.bellinghamseafeast.org/

The Northwest Innovation Resource Center (NWIRC) is partnering with SeaFeast to bring autonomous vessel demonstrations and an interactive Maritime Innovation Showcase to Bellingham on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

The event will provide SeaFeast attendees with a firsthand look at technologies that are shaping the future of the maritime industry, while celebrating the Pacific Northwest’s rich tradition of maritime innovation and working waterfronts.

At 2pm, autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) will launch from the Squalicum Harbor public boat launch and navigate to the Zuanich Day Dock adjacent to the festival grounds. The boats will dock for approximately 30 minutes, providing additional public viewing opportunities before returning to the boat launch site.

We would also like to thank Blue Robotics for joining us for both the Maritime Innovation Showcase and SeaFeast. They have also offered the public the opportunity to test-drive their boat, which can be programmed to run a route autonomously or driven by remote control!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the September AI Meetup, “From Experimentation to Impact: Applying AI in Engineering and Manufacturing.”

A special thank you to our guest, Charles Swart, P.E., Engineering Manager at PACCAR Technical Center, for sharing real-world insights and lessons from PACCAR’s experience using AI to enhance engineering and productivity, accelerate software development, and enable smarter manufacturing.

We appreciate everyone who contributed to the conversation and made the meetup a success. We look forward to seeing you all again in October as we explore another exciting topic in AI!

Fusion energy isn’t just a technology conversation. It’s a workforce conversation.

On Monday, August 31, NWIRC Executive Director Diane Kamionka joined leaders at Washington State Fusion Week for a panel on Workforce Education and Engagement: Fusion Fuels.

Alongside Tiexecina Narine of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Carli Smith of Kyoto Fusioneering, and Sunil Acharya of Ansys, Diane discussed an important piece of Washington’s growing fusion ecosystem: How do we prepare people, businesses, and communities to participate in this emerging industry?

For NWIRC, that question is especially relevant in Northwest Washington. Our region already has deep expertise across advanced manufacturing, aerospace, maritime, engineering, and other industries with skills that can transfer into the fusion supply chain.

Earlier this year, NWIRC partnered with CleanTech Alliance to bring the fusion conversation directly to our region. Today’s panel was another opportunity to keep building those connections statewide.

The technology may be cutting-edge. But building the industry will ultimately depend on people — and making sure our workforce and manufacturers can see where they fit.

Join us for a Celebration of Innovation! On Saturday, September 12, NWIRC is honoring the founders, workers, and dreamers whose ideas are moving Northwest Washington forward. Come hear their stories, discover what's emerging, and connect with the people building what's next.

IRC Lab-SWIFT, Sedro-Woolley | 2:30–4:30 PM

🚀 NWIRC Monthly AI Meetup – September Edition

In collaboration with Cascadia AI and Cloud Computing, NWIRC presents our monthly AI Meetups—designed to share, discuss, and build practical AI knowledge through expert-led presentations and peer-to-peer conversations.

Each month features a new AI topic with industry- and field-specific insights tailored for small businesses, innovative entrepreneurs, and our regional workforce.

📅 Wednesday September 9, 2026
⏰ 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 IRC Lab–SWIFT

In September, we welcome Charles Swart, P.E., Engineering Manager at PACCAR Technical Center, for:
From Experimentation to Impact: Applying AI in Engineering and Manufacturing

Artificial Intelligence is transforming engineering and manufacturing, but successful adoption requires more than implementing new technology. Charles will share real-world insights into how PACCAR is leveraging AI to improve engineering productivity, accelerate software development, enhance knowledge management, and support validation and testing.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, engineer, student, or business leader, you’ll gain practical strategies for navigating AI adoption, addressing governance and organizational challenges, and delivering measurable business value.

💡 Come discover how leading engineering teams are applying AI to drive productivity, innovation, and business impact by joining us for From Experimentation to Impact: Applying AI in Engineering and Manufacturing at the IRC Lab–SWIFT.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the region's engineering leaders and take away ideas you can apply in your own organization.

NWIRC Data Analytics Program Manager Amy Paquette recently visited the City of Stanwood, where she met with Business and Community Relations Coordinator Aaron Weinberg to discuss opportunities for local small businesses to participate in NWIRC’s AI training programs.

The sunny summer visit also provided an opportunity for Amy to connect directly with local small business owners, learn more about their workforce development needs, and share information about the resources and support available through NWIRC.

NWIRC’s training programs help small businesses upskill their employees by building expertise in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and business analytics. As markets continue to rapidly digitize, investing in workforce development is essential for small businesses to remain competitive, innovative, and positioned for long-term success.

NWIRC is committed to helping small businesses strengthen their workforce, embrace new technologies, and thrive in an evolving economy.

🚀 NWIRC Monthly AI Meetup – June Edition

In collaboration with Cascadia AI and Cloud Computing, NWIRC presents our monthly AI Meetups—designed to share, discuss, and build practical AI knowledge through expert-led presentations and peer-to-peer conversations.

Each month features a new AI topic with industry- and field-specific insights tailored for small businesses, innovative entrepreneurs, and our regional workforce.

📅 Wednesday June 10, 2026
⏰ 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 IRC Lab–SWIFT

In June, we welcome Ava Meredith, CS Professor and a co-recipient of the Microsoft Elevate grant, for:
Building a Blueprint for AI Security & Governance
In this session, you’ll get a practical breakdown of AI security rooted in industry standards, paired with a robust governance model that ensures responsible usage. This presentation bridges the gap between technical ex*****on and everyday operations offering critical insights for:

Developers: How to build, integrate, and secure AI systems using proven security standards.

Chatbot End-Users: How to safely interact with AI tools, manage data privacy, and avoid common prompt risks.

While developed with technical rigor, this framework is designed to be universally applicable to any organization looking to scale AI safely. Come walk away with an actionable roadmap for your team.

Don’t miss this opportunity to stay competitive as we enter the AI optimization era in 2026.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an inspiring day exploring the future of the fusion economy in the Pacific Northwest. ⚡

From entrepreneurs and manufacturers to engineers, skilled trades professionals, and clean energy leaders, the conversations made it clear: our region is ready to lead the next era of innovation. Together, we explored how transferable skills from aerospace, maritime, and advanced manufacturing can help power the growing fusion energy sector and create new opportunities across our workforce and supply chain ecosystem.

A special thank you to all attendees, speakers, sponsors, partners, and collaborators who helped make this event such a success.

The momentum is building, and this is only the beginning. 🚀

Thank you to our sponsors for helping make this event possible:


The Port of Skagit
Anvil Corporation

🚀 Join us for our next AI Meetup this May!

In collaboration with Cascadia AI and Cloud Computing, NWIRC’s monthly AI Meetups bring together innovators, small businesses, and professionals to explore practical, real-world applications of AI. Each session dives into a new topic with expert insights and engaging peer-to-peer conversations—helping you stay competitive in today’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

As we move deeper into the AI optimization era of 2026, staying informed and secure is more important than ever.

🔐 This month’s session:

How Altrusion Uses AI as a Force Multiplier to Create the Fusion Energy Supply Chain

Hear from Dr. Van Dyk and Mason Gentry of Altrusion as they share how they’re building and deploying AI tools—from automated contract discovery to real-time quoting and supplier workflows—to scale operations far beyond team size

📅 Thursday, May 14, 2026
⏰ 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 IRC Lab–SWIFT

Join us for How Altrusion Uses AI as a Force Multiplier to Create the Fusion Energy at the IRC Lab–SWIFT and be part of the conversation shaping the future of AI in industry.