Building Connections: How European Coworking Day Brings Communities Together

A new holiday is emerging in 2023 to celebrate the dynamic coworking industry: European Coworking Day. Falling on the 10th of May, this day offers coworking space owners the opportunity to showcase their spaces, connect with industry peers, and promote the benefits of coworking to a wider audience.

While International Coworking Day, celebrated on the 9th of August, has been recognized globally for several years, European Coworking Day is a more recent addition to the calendar.

In this article, we'll explore the significance of European Coworking Day, the benefits of getting involved, and how to make the most of this exciting new holiday. Whether you're a seasoned coworking space owner or just starting out, European Coworking Day is a chance to connect, learn, and grow your business. So let's dive in and discover what this exciting new holiday has to offer for coworking space owners across Europe.

 

What is European Coworking Day

European Coworking Day is an annual event that celebrates the power of coworking and community building across Europe. Similar to International Coworking Day, the event takes place in coworking spaces all over Europe and is an opportunity for professionals and entrepreneurs to come together and celebrate the positive impact of coworking on individuals and society as a whole.

 

How It All Started

The idea for the European Coworking Day was first presented by Claudius Krucker, Co-President of Coworking Switzerland, during an Unconference session at the Coworking Europe Conference in 2022. The idea quickly gained momentum, and the session resulted in the establishment of a concrete date for the first edition of the event: Wednesday, May 10th, 2023.

 

Where Should You Be to Join the Event

Unlike traditional conferences or events, European Coworking Day is a distributed and crowdsourced event. This means that the celebration takes place in coworking spaces across Europe, with events organized by and for the local coworking communities.

 

What Is the Goal of the Event

The goal of the day is to bring together professionals and entrepreneurs from different backgrounds and industries, to share their experiences and insights, and to foster a sense of community and collaboration.

The European Coworking Day is an opportunity for coworking spaces to showcase their unique culture and atmosphere, and to demonstrate the value they provide to their members. It's also a chance for people who are new to coworking to learn about the benefits of working in a shared space and to experience firsthand the energy and creativity that comes from working alongside like-minded individuals.

Overall, European Coworking Day is an important event for the coworking community, and a celebration of the power of collaboration, community, and its impact on society aimed to create connections between coworking spaces across Europe

 

How to Get Involved

There are two ways to join European Coworking Day as an individual or alliance.

1. Organize an event and join as a coworking space:

As a coworking space, you can become a partner of European Coworking Day by organizing an event at your space. Events can range from networking sessions to workshops, talks, and open days. Your event will be promoted on the official European Coworking Day website, social media channels, and email newsletters, allowing you to reach a wider audience and showcase your space. To join as a coworking space partner, simply fill out the application form on the European Coworking Day website.

1. Spread the word as an ECD Ambassador:

If you're passionate about coworking and want to help promote European Coworking Day, you can become an ECD Ambassador. As an Ambassador, you'll be part of a network of coworking space managers, entrepreneurs, and community builders who share the vision of a collaborative and supportive coworking ecosystem. Your role will be to spread the word about European Coworking Day in your country or region, encourage coworking spaces to join as partners, and help organize local events. To become an ECD Ambassador, register through a simple application form on the European Coworking Day website.

By following one of these two steps, you can get involved in European Coworking Day and contribute to the growth of the coworking movement across Europe.

Generate recurring revenue and offer exceptional customer experience at your shared or coworking space

Learn more

 

Why Is It Beneficial for You to Participate

Participating in European Coworking Day and organizing an event on that day can bring a range of benefits for coworking spaces. Here are a few reasons to participate:

1. Increased visibility: By participating in the European Coworking Day and organizing an event, coworking spaces can increase their visibility to potential clients, partners, and stakeholders. All registered events will be on the map, which means that people searching for coworking spaces in their area will be able to see the event and become aware of the space.
2. Press and publicity: Participating in European Coworking Day can provide an opportunity for coworking spaces to contact the press and get publicity for their event. This can help to raise the profile of the space and attract more attention from potential clients and partners.
3. Part of something bigger: Participating in European Coworking Day allows coworking spaces to become a part of a larger network of events and initiatives. This can help to build connections and collaborations between coworking spaces, as well as provide opportunities for learning and sharing best practices.
4. Social media exposure: European Coworking Day provides a platform for coworking spaces to use social media to promote their event and connect with a wider audience. By using hashtags and tags, coworking spaces can increase their reach and engagement on social media, which can help to attract more clients and partners.

In summary, participating in European Coworking Day and organizing an event on that day can provide a range of benefits for coworking spaces, including increased visibility, press and publicity, connection to a larger network of events, and social media exposure.

 

Event Ideas

There are a few types of events you can host on European Coworking Day 2023.

1. Activate your community:

- Host a workshop or training session for your existing members on a topic relevant to their work or interests.

- Organize a social event such as a networking happy hour or a community lunch.

- Create a scavenger hunt or team-building activity that encourages members to interact and engage with each other.

1. Attract new members:

- Offer a free day pass or discounted membership to visitors who attend your event.

- Host an open house or a guided tour of your space to showcase your amenities and community.

- Partner with a local business or organization to host a joint event that attracts a wider audience.

1. Team up with twin cities:

- Collaborate with a coworking space in a different city or country to host a joint event, such as a virtual panel discussion or workshop.

- Offer a remote working package for members who want to work from a different city or country, in partnership with a coworking space in that location.

1. Partner with other coworking spaces:

- Host a coworking space crawl, where visitors can tour multiple coworking spaces in your area.

- Collaborate with other coworking spaces to host a joint event or workshop, such as sustainability or diversity and inclusion training.

Check out these articles for more event ideas and organizing tips:

• Best Coworking Events to Build Community at Your Workspace
• How to Organize Events at a Coworking Space
• 7 Virtual Event Ideas to Bring Your Coworking Community Together

By hosting events that fall under these categories, coworking spaces can attract both new and existing members, strengthen their community, and build valuable connections with other coworking spaces and organizations.

 

Next Steps

In summary, if you are excited about joining the European Coworking Day celebration, here are some simple steps to take.

• Firstly, follow Coworking Smarts and ECD on social networks and sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on the latest news and updates.
• Secondly, register on coworkingday.eu to participate in the event officially.
• Check out ECD 2023 Handbook with an overall view of the Coworking Day, plus quite a few hints and ideas for events.
• Finally, plan your event and share the information with your community co-branding your posts with graphics available on the coworkingday.eu.

If you are unable to host your own event this year, there is still a fantastic opportunity to connect with UK/European counterparts and gain valuable insights into their businesses and experiences. By registering for a digital networking event organized by TownSq, you and your members can participate in breakout rooms and discover potential opportunities for collaboration and learning. Don't miss out on this chance to expand your network and grow your knowledge—sign up now for the upcoming TownSq event!

P.S. Organizing events can be a daunting task, but with the right tools and technology, you can streamline your coworking space's administrative tasks and make the process much more manageable. By automating routine tasks such as member onboarding, billing, and communication, you can save time and focus on providing an exceptional coworking experience for your members. So, if you're feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of organizing events or managing a coworking space, consider implementing technology to make your life easier and your business more efficient.