NAI READY SPEAKERS

NAI READY Speaker

Hal Johnson, SIOR, brings decades of real-world experience in site selection, incentive negotiation, infrastructure strategy, and industrial development. Whether you’re hosting an economic development conference, port focused forum, logistics panel, or industrial real estate roundtable, Hal delivers insightful, actionable presentations tailored to your audience. 

Hal Johnson, SIOR

Leader, NAI READY | Site Selection, Industrial Real Estate, Infrastructure Planning & Economic Development Expert

With decades of experience in corporate expansion, infrastructure planning, and public-private partnerships, Hal Johnson is a leading voice on how communities and companies can leverage site readiness and incentive strategies to drive growth. As the head of NAI READY, Hal has helped companies like BMW, Walmart, Michelin, and Oatly successfully select sites and scale operations across the U.S.

Keynote Topics:
  • Winning Site Selection: What Really Matters to Corporate Decision-Makers

  • Incentive Strategy That Works: Balancing Business Needs with Community Value

  • Site Readiness: Preparing Your Product for Competitive Advantage

Winning Site Selection: What Really Matters to Corporate Decision-Makers

Description:
This session pulls back the curtain on the decision-making process used by global companies when choosing new locations. Hal breaks down how companies evaluate sites and what communities can do to win.

Takeaways:

  • Understand key factors businesses prioritize (beyond incentives)

  • Learn how to position your region for long-term investment

  • Avoid common missteps that eliminate sites early in the process


Incentive Strategy That Works: Balancing Business Needs with Community Value

Description:
Explore the art and strategy of negotiating incentives that attract investment without compromising public interest. Hal outlines how to structure deals that support both company goals and local impact.

Takeaways:

  • How to design incentives that align with project ROI

  • Metrics that matter to corporate and public stakeholders

  • Real-world examples of incentive wins and lessons learned


Site Readiness: Preparing Your Product for Competitive Advantage

Description:
A deep dive into what “site readiness” really means in today’s competitive market—and how communities can turn raw land into revenue-generating opportunity.

Takeaways:

  • Infrastructure essentials to have in place before prospects arrive

  • Tools to assess and improve your site inventory

  • Best practices from successful mega-site developments