For 15 years, the Coworking Europe conference has been bringing together innovators and leaders of the coworking industry across the continent, inviting them to be part of inspiring and insightful discussions about the future of workplaces. This year’s edition was hosted in Sofia, Bulgaria's dynamic and evolving tech hub, and Campus X had the honor of co-organizing the event. We are thrilled to share some of the highlights with those of you who couldn’t attend and give insights into the topics discussed during the conference, including:
63% of coworking operators believe the industry is steadily growing and forecast a positive outlook for the future.
The rising popularity of hybrid and flexible offices is reshaping the way modern teams work, offering a balance between productivity and flexibility.
Demand for event spaces has surged by 14% over the past year, making them the second most sought-after type of space in coworking.
Community building remains the heart of coworking, with spaces evolving into hubs for professional and personal connections.
The future of coworking prioritizes well-being, inclusivity, and people-centered services that inspire and support members.
Steady rise of the coworking industry
The conference set off with an insightful and detailed overview of the coworking space industry and trends in Europe, based on research conducted by Deskmag. They presented statistics and forecasts on occupancy rates, evolving company demands, and the overall market landscape according to coworking companies. Most of them, about 63%, believe the coworking business situation is good at the moment, highlighting a steady industry growth and forecasting an optimistic outlook on the future.
Coworking is no longer trending only among start-ups and freelancers. Companies of all sizes are beginning to embrace its flexibility to reduce office management costs and time. We are witnessing a shift driven by modern teams seeking a workplace that fuels their productivity and offers freedom to work in ways that boost efficiency.
Flex offices - the driving force of the modern workplace
The number one trend is the increasing demand for hybrid and flex office workplaces, which we have observed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Nowadays, fewer and fewer employees want to spend five days a week in their offices, and they usually come in for team collaboration days once or twice a week. But as Joachim Gripp, CEO of Design Offices, mentioned, it is not just about flexibility anymore - we also have to inspire people and make them want to go to the office.
Employees no longer want to commute to their office and prefer to work from home. To get them back to the workplace, offices have to be better than home and be worth the travel time. Since the pandemic, companies have been looking for ways to avoid paying for unused spaces, and shared office has proven an effective solution. Some businesses even share their office, rent with other companies, and rotate throughout the week.
Event spaces are the rising star of coworking
While meeting spaces are still most wanted, we are seeing an interesting shift. Demand for meeting rooms is decreasing as more people are looking for event spaces. According to the Deskmag survey, the demand for event spaces has the highest growth, a 14% increase since last year, making it the second most desired space by companies.
But event spaces are not that common in coworking, on the contrary, only a few spaces offer venues where events can be held. This is food for thought: Demand is constantly changing, sometimes in unexpected ways, and we must constantly evolve to meet the needs of our clients.
At Campus X, we have two flexible and customizable locations where we can help you host your next event. We have experience in hosting more than 1,000 events, including educational workshops, training sessions, networking meetups, and product launches. Our event center and community room offer anything you might require from a team that can help you with the planning to a variety of catering options, so you don’t have to worry about anything.
The heart of the office is the community
Building a community was a recurring topic at the Coworking Europe 2024 with its own dedicated panel and highlighted as the main non-financial goal of coworking operators in Europe. This shows us that coworking spaces are no longer just desks but also places where professional and personal connections thrive.
Community managers are essential in establishing trustworthy relationships with companies and gathering critical feedback. In the “ Community - How to Build Engaging Enjoyable Social Environments with the Right Tools and Rituals?” discussion panel, participants agreed that online platforms are less effective and engaging than live events. However, as Maria Piovano (The Social Hub) pointed out, just because someone joined an event doesn't mean they’ve actively participated. Because of this, Stefania Pasquarelli, community manager at Toolbox Coworking, sees greater potential and success in smaller events with well-curated participants.
Community is at the core of Campus X and we have carefully selected each member, creating a place for like-minded people with similar values. To ensure our community is healthy and supportive, we regularly organize events and networking meet-ups, allowing members to connect and contribute to the evolving community.
Imagining the future of coworking
Listening to all these inspiring people sharing knowledge and experiences helped us imagine what the future of coworking could look like. Industry growth might not only mean opening new coworking spaces but also perfecting the ones that already exist and improving overall services to attract a wider audience. Joachim Gripp called coworking ‘inspiration-as-a-service’ because those that feel good work better.
Office design should be people-centered and it is crucial to understand how facilities are used - or not. Having high-quality community spaces is important but do people actually utilize them? Iwona Barszcz from Brain Embassy shared a great example of how feedback can differ from behavior. At their coworking space, they had a punching bag that nobody was using and even after amending the facility based on members’ feedback, still, nobody was spending time there. This showed us that sometimes actions speak louder than words and we shouldn’t just gather input from members but also observe how they behave in the environment.
Trends beyond offices also influence the coworking landscape and shape the future. For example, mental health and well-being are not only major subjects online but also emerging trends in our industry. Coworking spaces create a calm environment that encourages companies to participate in various wellness activities, such as yoga and meditation classes, organized for the community. Moreover, designated relaxation rooms provide safe spaces where people can unwind.
Similarly, the topic of inclusivity shapes coworking by making it a welcoming place that anyone can join regardless of their age, gender, or background. Offering solutions such as distraction-free or sensory-friendly areas can assist neurodivergent people. At the same time, physical accessibility such as ramps, attainable bathrooms, and adjustable workstations supports disabled individuals. In addition, organizing inclusivity events such as awareness programs and multicultural gatherings, ensures a welcoming and engaging environment.
From Sofia to the World: The Impact of Coworking Europe 2024
Coworking Europe 2024 was a place to share innovative ideas, reveal inspiring stories, and foster a community of people dedicated to making workplaces better. It was a great opportunity for Sofia to position itself as one of Europe's emerging tech hubs and highlight the growing importance of our city on the coworking map.
From insightful market trends to discussions about flex offices and community management, this conference painted a thought-provoking picture of the future of coworking. Our industry has come a long way, rapidly maturing, and success lies in the balance of flexibility, community, and purpose.
The story of coworking is far from over and such events remind us of the power of collaboration and that our shared mission - improving and reimagining workspaces - is meaningful, having a positive impact on people’s lives.
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