SHRM’s HR Florida 2026: Engaging Conversations, Expert Insights, and a Surprising Game
Key takeaways
- SHRM’s 48th annual HR Florida conference was held from August 30 through September 2 in Kissimmee, Florida.
- The Safeguard Global team (Bridgette Barry, and Taylor Gorman) enjoyed conversations on global workforce challenges such as fostering human connection, increasing organizational influence, and managing international employees more easily.
- HR Florida 2026 contained numerous sessions and interactive features; the Safeguard Global team’s favorite was a game that examined work authorization and immigration law.
The Safeguard Global team just returned from SHRM’s 2026 Florida Conference & Expo, and we’re still buzzing from the energy and enthusiasm. Held from August 30 through September 2 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida, this was SHRM’s 48th annual HR Florida conference, and it brought together more than 1,000 HR professionals. Staked out in booth #661, we were thankful for everyone who stopped by to say hello, talk global employment, and tell us more about their international workforce challenges.
On the expo floor, we enjoyed engaging conversations around topics such as:
- Globalization and the future of work
- HR leadership and organizational influence
- Tools that can help manage international employees and improve performance
- Human connection in remote workplaces (hint: Cute dog photos can help!)
- How EOR is a game-changer for global employment law compliance
- Other challenges and solutions related to compliance, innovation, inclusion, and global mobility
SHRM Florida 2026 also contained facilitated breakout sessions, speeches, and panels that included passionate presentations from keynoters Gregory Offner and Tamela Oates-Forney. But our favorite session wasn’t a presentation – it was a game.
On Tuesday, John Mazzeo, Deirdre Nero, and Giselle Carson led an interactive session that encouraged us to put our phones away and take part in a white-board-based trivia game on global employment challenges. It was not only a fun way to refresh our immigration law and work authorization knowledge, but it was also fascinating to see our fellow HR professionals respond in real time to some of the biggest questions we face in global workforce enablement today.
Because the field is perpetually changing, companies can always benefit from localized knowledge of labor and immigration laws. At Safeguard Global, we take pride in knowing our customers always have access to immigration, tax, and employment law experts with proven experience in the region they represent. It’s something that sets us apart from our many competitors and keeps us excited to continue connecting with HR leaders at SHRM events and beyond.
If you met us as HR Florida 2026 or would like to meet up at a future event, please connect with us on LinkedIn using the links below!
ATENDEES
Follow our SHRM FLORIDA 2026 attendees on LinkedIn
Bridgette Barry
Director, Event Strategy & Field Enablement
Taylor Gorman
Global Solutions Advisor
