The Global Coworking Unconference Community (GCUC) Boston has wrapped and what a ride it was. Packed with energy, bold ideas, and some serious brainpower, it left everyone buzzing about the future of workspaces. As a UK-based attendee returning for my second GCUC Stateside, I’m excited to share some key takeaways from a conference that didn’t just talk the talk, it genuinely shifted perspectives.
The GCUC Boston Experience
After the buzz of GCUC Salt Lake City last year, I landed in Boston with big expectations—and a colour-coded itinerary to match:
- Three days soaking up Boston (yes, including the Red Sox season opener at the iconic Fenway Park)
- A hands-on day helping set up the conference, facilitiating sponsors and joining the welcome reception at the gorgeous Workbar
- Two full-on days of sessions, panels, and networking galore
- A spot at the Future Leaders of Coworking event
- And a half-day tour of local spaces – Industrious, Convene and CIC each with its own flavour
Although I spent most of my time front-of-house, greeting everyone as they arrived, I still managed to sneak into a few standout sessions. One that really stuck with me? The Future of Hospitality in Workspaces, 2050, led by Liz, Ingrid and Lucy. It was bold, challenging, and full of energy—pushing us all to imagine what workspace hospitality could look like 25 years from now, and reminding us that if we want a better future, we’ve got to be the ones to build it.
Key Themes Emerging from Boston
This year’s GCUC didn’t just feel bigger—it felt more grown-up. There was a noticeable shift in tone, focus, and ambition. These were some of the themes that really stood out:
Connection is King
Connection and community weren’t just buzzwords, they came backed with real data. Dr. Bobbi Wegner unpacked the science behind belonging, while Raj Chowdhury showed how connection drives retention and revenue. It’s clear the industry’s moved beyond “community vibes” into measurable, strategic action. We’re getting serious about what it means to truly connect.
Hospitality is the New Standard
If there was one word on everyone’s lips, it was hospitality. Every session, every panel, it kept coming up. The most successful operators are approaching their spaces with a hospitality mindset: putting experience, service and member delight at the centre. Desks and WiFi are a given. This is about creating spaces people want to be in AND return to.
You’ve Got to Be in the Room
On a personal note, one standout moment for me? Seeing my graphic design work blown up across massive screens and banners. Hello, multi-hyphenate! But truly, it’s the unscripted moments that matter most, conversations over coffee, shared meals, that unexpected chat that turns into a collaboration. In-person connection still reigns supreme.
The Space Shapes the Experience
The venue, The Track at new balance, nailed it. Soaring ceilings, natural light, thoughtfully designed spaces. It wasn’t just pretty; it worked. People stayed longer, engaged more deeply, and moved more freely. It was a perfect reminder that good design doesn’t just look great, it actively shapes how people connect, interact, and feel.
Collaboration Over Competition
From big names to new faces, it was heartening to reconnect with friends across the pond and meet fresh thinkers in the coworking ecosystem. GCUC’s magic lies in bringing everyone together, from operators and vendors to designers and technologists. Those conversations are the breeding ground for future ideas, partnerships, and innovation. It was amazing to see operators and suppliers from the UK too!
From Grassroots to Grown-Up
What struck me most this year was the sense of maturity. Coworking isn’t scrappy anymore. We’re part of a serious sector now, real estate, investment, and big brands are taking note. But even as the industry levels up, the GCUC spirit, creative, curious, human—remains firmly at its heart.
Huge kudos to Liz Elam and Stormy McBride for pulling off a polished, smart, and deeply human event. Every detail was thoughtful, and their vision for where this industry is headed was crystal clear.
Join Us at GCUC Manchester
If you missed Boston, don’t worry! GCUC UK is coming to Manchester this June, and it’s going to be just as good (with a distinctly British twist, of course). We’ll be at Media City with content, connection, and community at the heart of it all.
GCUC Manchester is for:
- Workspace operators who want to level-up
- Landlords eyeing flexible models
- Tech providers shaping the future of work
- And anyone excited about workplace design, culture, and community
👉 Head to uk.gcuc.co to grab your ticket and join the conversation.
Because the future of work is being written right now and the people in the room are the ones shaping it.