Coworking Meeting Rooms Versus Hotels: The Better Option For Smaller Meetings
Coworking spaces — with their inherent flexibility and the intrinsic cost savings — are an ideal solution for today’s agile workforce. They have, to a measurable degree, supplanted the traditional office as the workplace of choice. Good to know then that in addition to shared, quality workspaces, many coworking businesses also offer fully-equipped, on-demand meeting spaces.
Self-employment is very much a growing trend in Canada. In fact, Intuit Canada projects 45% of the country’s workforce will be self-employed by 2020. This substantial influx of freelancers, solo professionals, consultants, independent contractors and small-business owners into the workforce is essentially redefining the nature of work… along with where it gets done.
Given the diverse range of settings where people can now choose to work, a significant number of professionals lack ready access to appropriate meeting space when it’s required. Additionally, given how the cost of commercial real estate continues to climb steadily upward, some established corporations are rethinking the practice of designated square-footage for in-house meeting space since it tends to be both expensive and underutilized. This has seen the inventory of company-held meeting space diminished.
Typically, hotels and event centres are less interested in small meetings, opting to tie the use of meeting space to bedroom rentals or food and beverage minimums.
Hosting meetings in a public setting, such a library or a coffee shop, is a hardly a perfect option given the distractions and lack of privacy. The obvious solution, a hotel or event centre meeting room, may not serve either. Typically, hotels and event centres are less interested in small meetings, opting to tie the use of meeting space to bedroom rentals or food and beverage minimums. Small-scale meetings would normally have considerable difficulty reaching established minimums.
Negotiating boils down to synchronized value where you have what they want and they have what you want. The issue with small-scale meetings and larger venues is the perception that small events don’t bring ‘enough’ to the table. But in a coworking centre, smaller definitely doesn’t translate to less!
In fact, coworking spaces provide an exceptional meeting experience for the forgotten niche that is smaller groups that range between two to forty. And coworking businesses often do it in stellar locations in meeting rooms that are as prestigious and as technologically-equipped as those in hotels.
Coworking spaces provide an exceptional meeting experience for the forgotten niche that is smaller groups that range between two to forty.
Beyond the attentively-serviced and fully-wired meeting rooms, there’s a number of solid reasons why meeting rooms offered in coworking spaces are a better alternative than using those in hotels. Coworking meeting spaces can:
- Foster an excellent first impression when hosting clients as they are greeted upon arrival.
- Allow users to book the space for as little or as long as required.
- Deliver access to on-site business-related amenities and services.
- Reduce costs as compared to securing a meeting room at a hotel/event centre.
- Provide a hospitable immersion with complimentary coffee/tea service and catering upon request.
Coworking meeting rooms — a revolutionary choice
Be it a group of independent freelancers collaborating on a specific project or a corporate department gathering for a team building exercise, hosting smaller offsite meetings in a coworking environment allows for a degree of flexibility and choice usually missing from other meeting space options. With premium locations and facilities, coworking meeting rooms enable those professionals who are riding the wave generated by the changing conditions. Simply put, when it comes to smaller meetings, coworking meeting rooms are a revolutionary solution!
Win a chance for a free meeting room rental!
The first 5 people to get in touch before February 14th will be eligible for a free meeting room rental. Contact us for the details. Be sure to mention this contest!
If you’d like more information on how our meeting and conference rooms can benefit you and your team, call The Professional Centre today at 416-367-1055 or contact us.
