Annual State of the Summit Event Focuses on Changing Workforce

CareerSource Polk, Polk County’s designated local workforce development board, is kicking off 2023 with its annual State of the Workforce Summit, one of its primary focuses for employers. 

In partnership with Ogletree Deakins, a leading labor and employment law firm, the event will benefit HR professionals, company executives and managers, said Candace Franklin, director of Outreach and Communications. “Christopher Laney, senior workforce strategist of Lightcast, is returning to provide workforce insights that have been tailored to Polk County.” 

CareerSource Polk President & CEO Stacy Campbell-Domineck said the Summit “serves to keep Polk County employers abreast of the latest trends and challenges with hiring, training, motivating and retaining a quality workforce. Key employment law updates will arm our business community with the information and tools they need to remain compliant while also creating a positive and productive work culture and reducing employee turnover. Best practices for employee recruitment and retention will be shared from key business and industry leaders.” 

The event will also feature breakout sessions that will help employers navigate today’s changing workforce, Franklin said. Topics include:  

• The Benefits Cliff and its impact on a company’s recruitment efforts. 
• The legal ramifications of drug screening. 

“We have assembled a strong roster of dynamic HR, business and legal experts who are eager to engage with event attendees. Each speaker and panelist is highly experienced in guiding their respective organizations through changing talent landscapes,” said CareerSource Polk Director of Business Services Kathy Suttles. “Our goal is to ensure that each company comes away better prepared to succeed in their own recruitment and retention efforts.” 

The Summit will begin at 8 a.m. Feb. 23 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. Event check-in and a complimentary breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. For event and registration information, visit www.careersourcepolk.com. 

Campbell-Domineck said the event is critical for Polk County. “As one of the fastest-growing counties in both population and jobs, it is clear workforce development is a key component of economic development. An available and qualified workforce is the key driver for existing business expansions and new business relocations. Educating the business community on strategies to access talent from the untapped labor pool is essential for business success.” 

The keynote address, she said, “will provide in-depth insight into Polk County’s labor market and provide promising practices that address the needs of job seekers with barriers to employment.” 

The agency continues to host the event because its board of directors “understands the importance of realizing our mission of being the innovative leader to ensure and sustain a quality workforce for today and in the future,” Campbell-Domineck said.  

It aims to bring the business community together to address the community’s workforce needs, she said. “This Summit allows Polk County employers to share best practices and learn from key business leaders, human resource professionals, legal experts and representatives from agencies serving individuals seeking employment. Our panel of experts, session presenters and keynote speakers will address some of the emerging challenges facing businesses while also offering successful strategies being implemented to remain competitive in employee recruitment and retention.” 

CareerSource Polk is a private, nonprofit administrator of workforce funds. Its mission is to be the innovative leader to ensure and sustain a quality workforce for today and the future. As an equal opportunity employer and program, CareerSource Polk is supported by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Agriculture as part of awards totaling $12.9 million.