Photo of Natalie Johnson, courtesy of VidL.

The State of Talent Conference (SOTC) is a premier one-day conference experience completely focused on the future of workforce and talent development. Powered by CareerSource Suncoast, with partnered host Game On Nation, this leadership-focused conference provides a unique insight into the current state of talent in the workforce. Each year, SOTC brings together some of the best speakers from across the nation focused on talent development to help businesses engage their most valuable assets. With 500+ attendees, participants leave with insightful management strategies, networking and inspiration from the lineup of speakers brought on. While the original live event was canceled this year in light of COVID-19, SOTC will now be providing a free and immersive digital experience on Thursday, July 16, 2020. Of the 10 speakers on board to present an engaging virtual presentation, SRQ connected with a few of the bright lights to hear what they're excited to bring to the table for our region's entrepreneurs and change-makers.

Natalie Johnson is an expert in individual and organizational performance with more than 30 years of experience creating strategies with employers, healthcare systems and carriers to improve company productivity as well as individual performance while maintaining balance, health and happiness. Natalie is an award-winning Health Coach, Performance Coach, Sports Nutritionist and Performance Trainer, and has received a variety of awards throughout her career including Healthcare Hero, Champion of Healthcare, Health Program Innovation Award, Corporate Wellness Leadership Award and Business Leader Woman Extraordinaire.

SRQ: What are you most excited to bring to the table for the SOTC conference this year? 

Natalie: Real actionable strategies that people can use right away to help them navigate the change and uncertainty we currently face.

SRQ: Can you share what your seminar topic covers and how you chose this theme for the event—what was your inspiration?

Natalie: The Resilient Comeback – A focus on team and personal resilience. I chose this topic because the information applies to everyone regardless of your occupation. We are living in a time when it would be easy to succumb to the stress and show up in ways that do not make us proud. We have a choice. We can try to manage or we can be more intentional and do more than survive but thrive.

SRQ: What do you hope for participants to take away? 

Natalie: I hope they take away that they have power and are in control of a big aspect of COVID and any other adversity they have in their life. You can’t always control the stress itself but you can most certainly control how you choose to respond. Choosing a response that aligns with you showing up as your best self will change the outcome. YOU can change your outcome.

SRQ: Do you have any practical advice or “a-ha” moments you had in your professional life that you can share with our readers?

Natalie: Yes! I had an a-ha moment that I share in my session. It focuses on our ability to re-frame even the hardest of circumstances so we change our thoughts, emotions and behaviors. You have to attend to hear about it.

Photo of Natalie Johnson, courtesy of VidL.

Register for the State of Talent live virtual conference here.