With the corporate US real-estate industry in flux and the concept of flexible working increasing demand for flexible office space (flexspace) across the nation, one of its biggest providers – International Workplace Group (IWG) – took part in three high-profile events throughout the country this October. IWG’s multi-brand approach is deliberately broad to account for all manner of business needs, including established brand Regus and design-driven new offering SPACES.
In Miami, the sixth annual Real Deal Real Estate Showcase + Forum was held on 17 October at Mana Wynwood. With over 3,500 attendees, 20 panellists and 70 industries represented, this one-day conference took a holistic view of corporate US real estate by covering it from every angle. With investors, buyers, brokers, financiers and developers all converging for a full day of networking and deal-making, this year’s event is where tomorrow’s trends were not only talked about but also set in motion. Past topics have focused on themes including “Looking at the shifting strategies of commercial brokers and brokerages amid a slower market” – and it’s ideas like this that will certainly bear relevance as we shift to a more flexible job market and a more flexible approach to the manner and place of work. With over 6,000 delegates in attendance to experience the new projects, products and services in corporate real-estate on show, this was a not-to-be-missed affair for anyone in the South Florida area.
In Orange County, California, the 2019 CoreNet Global Summit took place at the Anaheim Convention Centre from 20th to 22nd October. With 10,000 members around the world, CoreNet boasts the biggest number of any professional body in the corporate real-estate industry and its events are known for their authoritative and informative take on where it’s headed next. Speakers are chosen on merit, meaning that fresh insights come as part of the package. And with the dramatic changes in the world of work and flexspace on the rise, the packed schedule’s overarching theme provided plenty to think about: “What role does corporate real estate play in leading, creating and fostering experiences that enable business success?” Drawing a 2,500-strong crowd, 200 speakers covered all aspects of the corporate real-estate industry alongside 120 learning experiences, and in doing so provided a roadmap of the trends to expect next.
Staying in California, the 4YFN conference was held at the Los Angeles Convention Centre from 22nd to 24th October. Part of the wider Mobile World Congress (MWC) programme, this offshoot is run by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association, which naturally has an affinity for the startup culture and the tech surrounding remote working that this event represents. If you want to know what the world will look like four years from now – and what it could mean for your business – this was the event for you. With sister events around the globe (think Barcelona and Shanghai), the initiative is billed as a forum for startups, investors, corporations and public institutions to discover, create and launch new ventures together, in a bid to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem worldwide. From meetings and networking to pitches and parties, it was an exciting exploration of what the future holds – and how IWG can support your business journey.
As all of these events showed, the ways we work today (and in the future) are as varied as the places where that work is performed. Whether it’s from home, in a fixed office or a flexible space where maintenance and repairs are taken care of, property directors and brokers have plenty of options up their sleeves. These three conventions demonstrated just what those options are, and helped delegates to make an informed decision about the right choices for their companies, their clients and their colleagues.
Read more about IWG’s expansion across the US
