Coworking events can be a key element in building your community. Here are 22 ideas for events that will engage your current and future members.
Coworking spaces can help you build a community with like-minded people. The Global Workspace Association has said that people “come for the space, but stay for people” time and again. The Global Coworking Unconference, also known as GCUC, has focused their conferences on the importance of community.
Coworking Events are key to building community. These events can be used to build community by increasing shared workplace satisfaction among members, attracting new members, and benefiting the local area. You need to have a constant stream of ideas for coworking events to keep your community interested.
Here is a list that you can use to strengthen your sense of community in your shared workspace.
Coworking Space Event Ideas: Coworking Events for Members
Happy hour: This tried-and-true favorite is a great way to welcome members and end their day with a glass of wine or beer. Happy hour should be scheduled on a regular day and start around 4:00 pm. This will make it easier for members to know about and attend.
Lunch and Learn: Host a book group, brainstorming session, or social potluck over lunch. You can also invite outside experts to advise on specific topics such as work/life balance, programming, accounting, or other relevant subjects. To ensure that luncheons are appealing, let the membership choose topics.
Purposeful networking: The most effective event ideas for networking put the organizer at the forefront of creating connections. Instead of having people in a room hoping to meet someone who can help them grow professionally or personally, curate your audience to ensure that everyone gets to know someone they are interested in.
Accountability Groups: Use resources like “Motivation” for members who are interested in short-term accountability.
Coworking Space Event Ideas: Member Coworking Events
- Breaks with a Purpose: A modern office design has a lot of fun zones and breakout areas. To encourage interaction, place classic board games within communal areas. When space is available, ping-pong or Foosball tourneys are always popular.
- Day Trips: A change in scenery could be exactly what your members are looking for. Use group rates to create a shared experience and team building. It could be a day on the beach, a trip to the country or a trust exercise. Plan different activities for each member over the year.
- Family Event: Employees enjoy a happy family. Move the networking events to a park setting. This will encourage casual conversation, and nothing breaks down walls like children.
- Member Wall: OK, technically not an event. Invite members to share photos of themselves, their families, work achievements, or anything else that is important to them. This helps create a friendly atmosphere and allows community members to discover common interests that they may not have identified in hallway conversations.
- Guest Speakers: Invite a thought leader in your field to give a presentation or lecture, either at the company or through a TedX Talk. This will not only be a great opportunity to meet new people, but it will also give you all a fresh perspective and much-needed motivation.
- Bike to Work: Wednesday, June 24, is National Bike to Work Day. You can start a group of people who will cycle together to work on that day or any other day. Then see if they can continue for the rest of the summer.
- Book Club: Are you in a literary mood? Perhaps some of your co-workers are also avid readers! It’s easy to create a great evening by forming a group and selecting a book. Pour the wine, too!
Coworking Events for Prospective Members: Coworking Space Event Ideas
Having encouraged your team to perform at their highest level, many are now moving up to offices with dedicated staff. You need to have a steady stream of new prospects. Give potential coworkers more than a tour or a day pass. Every coworking space includes a kegerator and copiers. Make them feel like they are part of the coworking community.
- Shadowing Invite potential members during the day to follow a member who is currently working. Encourage the member to introduce the prospect to potential partners. Non-members can experience the benefits of spending time in the space.
- Happy Hour Whenever new members arrive, greet them by their name. Introduce yourself to the current members of your community.
- Training Use your coworking space to offer free public training. You know your members and can offer them classes that are relevant to their interests.
If many tech companies are in your group, offer training on programming languages and growth hacking. Attendees will recognize that your workspace is a good fit for them. They might even meet someone from their network. - Morning yoga: Welcome the new members into your workspace by doing morning yoga together.
Your shared workspace will become a welcoming “OM” for new people. - Meetups: By allowing local meetup groups to use your workspace, you can attract new members. This could be preschool moms, technology enthusiasts, or even local crafters.
- Launch Parties: Independent Record Labels, Local Book Publishers, and other creative people are always looking for the perfect space to host their launch parties. Tech startups are a good choice too. See what attention you can generate by being in that space!
Local Coworking Events
Your shared workspace will reap many rewards if you give back to your community. This will instill a sense of community amongst your members. Pride in where you work. Take a look at these events to open up your coworking space to your neighbors.
- Blood Drive Organise a blood donation event for your members. Many blood banks have mobile units that will travel to you.
- Holiday Gift Drive: Partner with organizations like Toys for Tots for a holiday gift drive.
- Collaborate with a nearby coworking space for a shared event. Do not think of it as a competition. Think of it as a networking event to raise awareness about coworking in your community and showcase its benefits.
- Service Day: Let members propose ideas for service days. Plan a service day based on the most popular ideas. Working to improve your community strengthens bonds and gives back.
- Charity Exchange: Everyone has a favorite charity or cause. Host a yearly event to replace gift swaps.
Members draw names and donate to the charity their drawn person is passionate about. This is a great way to bring people together and benefit a variety of charities. It’s a win-win situation!
Conclusion: Coworking Events Create Community
It is important to understand and work constantly to improve the metrics for coworking that determine success. The foundation of a coworking community is a mix of successful networking events. Focus on your current members and organize events to benefit your community and neighborhood.
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