Hosting Professional Events and Workshops in Co-Working Spaces

Professional workshops are an excellent way to share knowledge, develop skills, and build meaningful connections within your industry. However, finding the right venue can often be challenging and expensive. This is where co-working spaces come in as a game-changing solution for workshop hosts looking for flexible, professional, and cost-effective venues.

Whether you’re a consultant looking to share your expertise, a business owner training your team, or an educator expanding your reach, co-working spaces offer unique advantages that traditional venues simply can’t match. Let’s explore how you can leverage these dynamic environments to host successful professional workshops.

What are co-working spaces?

Co-working spaces are shared work environments where individuals and businesses hire desk space, meeting rooms, and other facilities on a flexible basis. Unlike traditional offices, these spaces foster collaboration and community among diverse professionals from various industries.

Modern co-working spaces typically offer a range of amenities, including high-speed internet, meeting rooms, presentation equipment, kitchen facilities, and comfortable common areas. Many also provide additional services like printing, reception support, and networking events. This infrastructure makes them ideal venues for professional gatherings beyond just daily work.

Why host a professional workshop in a co-working space?

The co-working model has evolved significantly over the past decade, changing from simple shared desks to sophisticated business hubs that cater to everything from startups to established corporations. This evolution has made them increasingly attractive for hosting professional events and workshops. Let’s dive into why you should host one at a co-working space below.

Cost-effectiveness

Traditional conference venues can be prohibitively expensive, especially for smaller workshops. Co-working spaces typically offer competitive hourly or daily rates for meeting rooms and event spaces, making professional workshops accessible to a broader range of hosts.

Professional environment

These spaces are specifically designed for business activities, providing a professional atmosphere that improves credibility and helps participants take the workshop seriously.

Built-in amenities

Most co-working spaces come equipped with everything you need for a successful workshop: projectors, whiteboards, flip charts, reliable Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating arrangements. This eliminates the stress of sourcing equipment separately.

Flexible booking options

Unlike traditional venues that may require long-term commitments, co-working spaces offer flexible booking arrangements. You can book space for just a few hours or extend your booking if the workshop runs longer than expected.

Networking opportunities

The diverse community within co-working spaces can provide additional networking opportunities for your workshop participants, potentially adding extra value to their experience.

Central locations

Many co-working spaces are strategically located in business districts or nearby suburbs with excellent transport links, making them easily accessible for participants.

What kinds of workshops can you host in a co-working space?

The versatility of co-working spaces makes them suitable for a wide variety of professional workshops and events.

Professional development workshops are one option, as they focus on building specific skills or advancing careers. These might include leadership training, project management courses, or industry-specific skill development sessions. The professional environment of co-working spaces improves the learning experience and helps participants apply new concepts in a business context.

Another option is educational events. These can range from technical training sessions to creative workshops. The collaborative atmosphere of co-working spaces often encourages more interactive learning and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing.

Business training sessions, such as sales training, customer service workshops, or digital marketing courses, can also benefit from the business-focused environment.

Participants can immediately relate the training content to their professional environment.
Businesses can use co-working spaces to onboard new employees, especially ones that are remote or in distributed teams. The neutral, professional setting helps new employees focus on learning while experiencing a collaborative work culture.

Networking events and special talks thrive in co-working environments where community and connection are already valued. Industry expert talks, panel discussions, and networking mixers feel natural in these collaborative spaces, and there are heaps of people you can invite through the co-working community that may want to come together to meet one another.

Small conferences and seminars can be effectively hosted in larger co-working spaces that offer multiple rooms and break-out areas. The flexibility to use different spaces throughout the day adds variety and keeps participants engaged.

Key steps to plan a professional workshop

In order to host your professional workshop, you’ll need to do some pre-event planning so it runs smoothly. Below are the key steps we’d recommend you consider:

1. Define objectives

Start by clearly outlining what you want to achieve with your workshop. Are you educating participants about a specific topic, building team skills, or facilitating networking? Clear objectives will guide all your other planning decisions.

2. Choose the right space

Visit potential co-working spaces to assess their suitability. Consider room size, seating arrangements, technical equipment, and overall atmosphere. It’s important that the space can comfortably accommodate your expected number of participants.

3. Plan format

Structure your workshop with a mix of presentations, interactive activities, and breaks. Co-working spaces often have multiple areas you can utilise, such as quiet rooms for small group work and open areas for networking.

4. Book in advance

Popular co-working spaces can be busy, especially during peak business hours and specific times of the year. Book your preferred date and time well in advance, and consider booking additional time for setup and cleanup.

5. Prepare materials and equipment

While co-working spaces provide basic equipment, you may need specific materials for your workshop. Prepare handouts, name tags, and any specialised tools or resources your participants will need.

6. Promote your event

Use various channels to promote your workshop, including social media, professional networks, and the co-working space’s community channels. Many co-working spaces are happy to help promote events to their members.

7. Plan for catering

Many co-working spaces have kitchen facilities or partnerships with local caterers. Plan for appropriate refreshments based on the length and timing of your workshop.

Best practices for professional workshops in a co-working space

It’s important you give yourself plenty of time to set up the room, test equipment, and familiarise yourself with the space. This helps you appear professional and prepared when participants arrive. But remember that you’re sharing the space with other co-working members, so keep noise levels appropriate and clean up after your event. This consideration helps maintain good relationships with the space and its community.

Co-working spaces often have various areas you can utilise throughout your workshop. Consider moving between spaces for different activities, and if appropriate, invite co-working space members to join parts of your workshop or networking segments. This can add value for both your participants and the local community. The open, community-focused design of most co-working spaces naturally facilitates connection.

After the event, use the professional contact information gathered during registration to follow up with participants. The credible environment of a co-working space often leads to higher-quality leads and connections. Ask participants for feedback about both the workshop content and the venue. This information will help you improve future workshops and choose the best spaces for your needs.

Find your ideal spot today

Ready to host your next professional workshop in a dynamic environment? Co-working spaces offer the perfect blend of professionalism, flexibility, and community.

At Work East, we understand the unique needs of workshop hosts and provide flexible, well-equipped spaces designed to support professional development and learning. Our modern facilities, supportive community, and prime location in Box Hill make us the ideal choice for your next professional workshop.

Contact us at Work East today to discuss your workshop requirements and discover how our co-working space can help you deliver an exceptional experience for your participants.