10 Takeaways from GCUC NYC: What the Industry is Saying

The energy at GCUC NYC last week was palpable. From deep dives into the future of work to serendipitous connections that spark new ventures, the Global Coworking Unconference Community once again proved why it is the beating heart of the flexible workspace industry.

But don’t just take our word for it. We scoured LinkedIn to see what attendees were saying about their experience. Here are 10 standout posts that capture the insights, the community, and the sheer fun of GCUC NYC

1. The Intersection of Coworking and Housing

Chris Moeller, a natural systems thinker, drew a powerful parallel between coworking and housing. He noted that coworking isn’t just about desks, much like housing isn’t just about units. Both are expressions of an integrated system.

“The coworking industry figured something out early. They design for people, platform, and place at the same time… When I look at coworking now, I see flexibility as resilience, membership as a bridge between access and ownership, and community as something you intentionally design, not something you hope for.” — Chris Moeller

2. The Unstoppable Growth of Coworking

Duncan Logan brought the data, highlighting that despite the public narrative often focusing on the rise and fall of major players, the industry is quietly booming.

“The truth is, coworking is on a tear, growing fast in a highly fragmented manner. It currently represents 2.28% of commercial office space, with projections of reaching 13% to 30%.” — Duncan Logan

3. Designing for Belonging

Emilie Lashmar reflected on a standout session featuring GCUC Founder Liz Elam and Annie Dean, Global Chief Strategy Officer at CBRE. The conversation touched on the acceleration of solopreneurship and the isolating effects of remote work and AI.

“That’s where coworking, meeting and event venues, members clubs, and third spaces come in. Not as just a place to work but as a place to belong.” — Emilie Lashmar

4. The “How” of AI Adoption

Ben Wright noticed a distinct shift in the conversation around Artificial Intelligence. Operators are no longer asking if they should use AI; they are asking how. He identified three emerging camps: CEO-Led, IT-Led, and Team-Led adoption.

“Here’s the thing: no camp is wrong. But the operators who are winning are the ones who know which camp they’re in — and are being intentional about it.” — Ben Wright

5. The Rise of Fractional Offices

Kane Willmott, CEO and Co-Founder at iQ Offices, shared his experience speaking on a panel about fractional offices alongside Michael Everts (Yardi), Hannah Mojica (Foundry UK), and Mark B. Goldfinger. He noted that these concepts are quickly gaining traction as companies seek more flexible, purpose-driven ways to utilize workspace. He also highlighted the value of bringing his team to experience the GCUC magic firsthand.

6. The Lighter Side of GCUC

It wasn’t all serious business. Cameron MacRae provided some comic relief after leaving NYC with a black eye. He ran a highly engaging poll asking his network to guess the culprit, with options ranging from offending Liz Elam to losing a fight with a hotel window. (Spoiler: The window won with 64% of the vote.)

7. Celebrating the OGs

Jerome Chang captured a fantastic moment by sharing a photo of a rare gathering of OGs who collectively have over 80 years of experience in the coworking industry. It was a beautiful reminder of the deep roots and enduring passion within this community.

8. Bridging the Transatlantic Terminology Gap

The team at OSiT (Office Space in Town) highlighted an important insight brought back by their Senior General Manager, Amelia Woolley. She noted a key difference in how the industry talks about itself on either side of the Atlantic.

“In the UK, ‘co-working’ typically refers to hot desking or day memberships. However, in the US, the term is used much more broadly to cover almost anything related to flex and private offices.” — OSiT

9. The Heat Is On

Amelia Woolley herself summed up the atmosphere perfectly, noting that the conversation inside the conference was “as hot as the NYC weather was outdoors!” Short, punchy, and well-received — a masterclass in keeping it simple.

10. Serendipitous Connections

Finally, Stephen J. Coté shared a perfect example of the magic that happens in the hallways of GCUC. A chance meeting with Chris Moeller was so energizing that it immediately inspired Stephen to book a trip to another conference to continue exploring the integration of housing ecosystems and social infrastructure.

The conversations at GCUC NYC made one thing abundantly clear: the workspace industry is evolving rapidly, driven by a community that is as passionate as it is innovative. We can’t wait to see where these ideas lead next.

Join us at our next GCUC in Manchester! Get your tickets at uk.gcuc.co and be sure to connect with us on Linkedin and Instagram!