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10 coworking conferences to attend in 2023

From informative sessions to networking opportunities, these 10 coworking conferences are events you can't miss in 2023.
By Kelly K
April 17, 2023
Coworking and Flex Space Conferences to Attend in 2023

As the popularity of flexible work continues to soar, conferences have become increasingly important for coworking operators, flex space enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the future of work to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in the industry. 

These events bring together industry leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to share insights, discuss emerging trends, and network with like-minded individuals. 

With so many conferences and events to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to attend. 

In this article, we’ll look at 10 coworking and flex space conferences to attend in 2023 around the world, highlighting their unique features, key speakers, and why they’re worth attending this year. 

1. GCUC North America

April 19-21, 2023 | Chicago, IL | Buy Tickets

GCUC 2023 with Kia and Keith

Best for: North American coworking owners and operators who want to attend the premiere event in the industry.

GCUC North America is one of the most popular coworking conferences in the Western Hemisphere. Here, you can connect with other coworking operators while exploring local coworking spaces and learning from the top minds in the flexible workspace industry. You can also connect with our team who will be attending!

The conference stretches across three days as outlined below:

  • Day 1 is a full day of learning with two different curriculums, one for those new to coworking and one for seasoned pros. 
  • Day 2 consists of “thought-provoking, educational, and future of work shaping content” and a showcase highlighting the best in coworking software, design, and more.
  • Day 3 is a flex day where attendees can choose between live sessions, demos, tours of local spaces, and more.

This year’s event will also feature talks from top thought leaders including Jamie Russo, CEO at Everything Coworking, Jason Anderson, President at Venture X & Office Evolution, and Jamie Hodari, CEO and Cofounder at Industrious.

From informal networking events to structured roundtable discussions, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to share ideas, make new friends, and build your professional network at GCUC.

2. The Workplace Event

April 25-27, 2023 | Birmingham, United Kingdom | Register

The Workplace Event

Best for: flexible workspace and hybrid work enthusiasts.

The Workplace Event is a three-day event dedicated to workplace and facilities innovation. The conference features over 3,000 workplace and flexible work professionals, 40 expert speakers, and over 100 exhibitors. The best part is it’s free for those in the industry.

Attendees can enjoy four unique offerings at this flexible work conference:

  • Workplace Leaders Summit: a top-level conference showcasing the most influential workplace leaders and organizations that are transforming the future of workplaces. 
  • The Knowledge Hub Theatres: sessions featuring the latest and most advanced workplace and facilities management products and solutions.
  • The Wellbeing Village: a space for attendees to connect with industry experts to learn about workplace wellbeing. 
  • Exhibition: a collection of suppliers from workplace design to digital technology to building management.

Don’t miss speakers from Microsoft, CBRE, EMCOR UK, and more at this top conference to attend in 2023.

3. Coworking Spain

May 9-10, 2023 | Valencia, Spain | Buy Tickets

Best for: European-based coworking and coliving operators who want to connect with like-minded individuals.

Coworking Spain is a two-day coworking and coliving conference in Valencia. The event features dozens of keynotes from speakers around the globe covering topics like:

  • Back to the Future: Creating a hybrid coworking
  • Space as a service: Spaces under management
  • Top 10 most common questions (and answers) when managing a coworking space

Attending the Coworking Spain conference can be an excellent opportunity to gain insights into the local and European coworking market, network with peers, and learn about the latest trends and best practices in the industry. 

4. Reworked CONNECT

May 10-12, 2023 | Austin, TX | Buy Tickets

Reworked Connect Conference

Best for: Flexible or hybrid workspace operators that want to better understand the workplace of the future.

Reworked CONNECT is a leading event in the future of work and HR technology space. The conference brings together HR professionals, business leaders, and industry experts from around the world to explore the latest trends, technologies, and strategies for creating better workplaces.

This year features a stacked lineup of speakers including:

  • Ice T, Author, MC, and actor
  • Scott Galloway, Professor of Marketing at NYU Stern
  • Ryan Anderson, Vice President, Global Research & Insights at MillerKnoll

While this conference isn’t specifically geared toward coworking operators, it can be a valuable learning experience for those who are interested in understanding how to create an inspiring workplace.

Speakers will cover topics like trends and tech shaping the future of the workplace, how AI is changing how we work, and the science and design of productive workspaces.

5. The Future of Work Conference 

May 23-24, 2023 | Dublin, Ireland | Buy Tickets

Best for: Operators who want to be on the cutting edge of workplace trends, and better understand how to incorporate these trends into their spaces.

The Future of Work Conference is a two-day event dedicated to understanding emerging trends and technologies in the workplace, and how individuals can incorporate them into their day-to-day lives. 

The event will cover topics such as:

  • How to create a sustainable and ergonomic professional environment
  • Designing a workplace that caters to an increasingly diverse workforce and nurtures a collaborative culture
  • How to plan a workspace that is flexible enough to accommodate the latest technology but that remains people focused

If you are a coworking or flex space operator who services a lot of corporate clients, this could be a great opportunity to understand how to optimize your space for the future of work.

6. Immersive 2023

May 23-24, 2023 | Houston, Texas | Buy Tickets

GWA Immersive Conference

Best for: flex space owners and operators who are interested in hybrid work.

Immersive is an annual gathering for flexible space owners and operators put on by the Global Workspace Association. The theme of this year’s event is “Changing Models For Changing Times: How to Adapt to the Hybrid World of Work”. 

It features speakers from top organizations in the industry including LiquidSpace, Avision Young, GWA, and more. The two-day event also features breakout sessions on hot topics for owners and space operators like enterprise technology, sales, and hospitality, as well as tours of local spaces.

7. The GWA Flex Forward Conference

September 19-23, 2023 | Washington, DC | Buy Tickets

Best for: North American coworking space owners and operators.

The GWA Flex Forward Conference is an elite conference put on every year by the Global Workspace Association (GWA). It features keynote speakers, curated events, and plenty of opportunities for networking with others in the industry. 

This event caters specifically to those in the coworking industry, making it an excellent choice for any kind of coworking space or flex space owner or operator. 

Speakers for this year’s event have yet to be announced, though last year’s speakers included representatives from Instant Offices, JLL, Cushman Wakefield, and more.

8. WORKTECH San Francisco 

September 28, 2023 | San Francisco, California 

WorkTech San Francisco

Best for: technology enthusiasts who want their space outfitted with the latest solutions.

WORKTECH is a series of conferences centered on innovation in the workplace in iconic locations including Berlin, Amsterdam, New York, and more. This year our top pick is WORKTECH San Francisco, a one-day event right outside of the capital of technology itself. 

Attendees can expect keynotes from industry leaders, curated networking opportunities, and insightful discussions on some of the hottest topics in the world of flex spaces and the future of work.

9. Workplace Design 2023

October 3, 2023 | Slovenia | Buy Tickets

Workplace Design 2023 Conference

Workplace Design Conference (WDC23) is an annual conference dedicated to the research and planning phase of any and all workplaces, whether that’s a hybrid office, flexible workspace, or coworking space.

The event is in its sixth year and features over 19 speakers and 250 attendees including business leaders, real estate professionals, and entrepreneurs. The goal is to empower attendees with the information they need to align the work environment with the needs of the people in them.

If you’re just getting started in the coworking and flexible work industry, this event offers lots of valuable information to cultivate a positive work environment that people will enjoy,

10. Coworking Europe

November 28-29, 2023 | Portugal | Buy Tickets

Coworking Europe Conference

Best for: coworking and flex space owners and operators globally.

Coworking Europe is the premiere destination for European coworking space owners and operators to learn about what’s happening in and around the industry. This multi-day event includes tours of 12 local coworking and co-living spaces as well as talks on:

  • Main trends in the European coworking market and what to expect in 2024
  • How ChatGPT can help coworking spaces drive marketing success
  • How coworking can provide part of the remedy to the great resignation wave

With speakers from companies like The Commons, Cushman & Wakefield, and The Instant Group, there’s a lot to learn at this well-crafted coworking conference.

Don’t miss the top coworking conferences of 2023

Coworking conferences are a fantastic way to gain knowledge, connect with like-minded professionals, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and innovations in the flexible workspace industry. 

With a diverse range of events and opportunities available, there is something for everyone, whether you are a coworking space operator, community manager, or future of work enthusiast.

Looking for more information about coworking? Check out our articles on starting a coworking business on the Optix blog.