Earlier this month, Beth DeGraffenreid and Brenna Noble flew to Chicago for the Global Workspace Association (GWA) Conference – a key event drawing flexible office leaders, operators, and innovators nationwide. With over 20 years of attending conferences like GWA, and 36 years serving Oklahoma City’s business community, Beth is a recognized thought leader and voice in the flexible workspace industry, consistently bringing insights back to OKC that keep Essential Offices relevant and ahead of the curve.
Why We Went
Our goal has always been to blend big-market best practices with what makes Oklahoma City uniquely vibrant. Attending GWA is about more than inspiration, it’s about deepening our expertise so Essential Offices can continue evolving in ways that serve our local market best.
Key Takeaways from Chicago
- Flex Office Spaces in Small Markets Are Thriving: Even smaller cities like ours are expanding shared office usage rapidly, reflecting shifts in remote work and distributed teams.
- Data-Driven Growth: Sessions filled with hard data confirmed our belief that shared and flexible office spaces are not a fleeting trend, they are fundamental to the future of work.
- Flexibility Is Essential: Success requires nimbleness in membership options, space design, and services to meet constantly changing needs.
- Service & Community Matter Most: Amid all the technology and real estate changes, human connection remains at the heart of coworking’s value.
Bringing It Back to OKC
With decades of experience and deep ties to our community, we’re excited to keep evolving Essential Offices to match the unique demands of the Oklahoma City market. We blend big-market innovation with local heart, focusing on community and exceptional service.
Learn More
For those wanting a deeper look, these resources from the conference offer excellent insights:
We’re grateful for these ongoing learning opportunities, for a community of brilliant and groundbreaking professionals, and can’t wait to share what’s next with the Essential Offices community.