FlexWorld Series 2026 Recap: A Deep Dive Into The Future Of Flexible Workspaces

Three years ago we started the FlexWorld Series with one goal – to create a cornerstone event in the flexible workspace industry. This edition was entitled “Revolutionizing Work, Redefining Flex Spaces,” and it worked as a hub for both practical insights and strategies for the future of our work environments.

The virtual gathering of industry leaders and innovators provided a deeper understanding of the evolving dynamics of workspaces and offered a wealth of forward-thinking strategies.

Here are the detailed insights from the key sessions.

The Evolving Landscape of Workspaces

The event started with a keynote from OfficeRnD’s CEO and co-founder Miro Miroslavov and Ben Munn, Managing Director and Global Lead, JLL Flex.

The session covered the current state and future of coworking and flexible workspaces.

Some key insights included:

• An analysis of the market research showing the health and prospects for the industry.
• Discussion on the changing demand for office buildings, raising questions about their future role.
• The concept of “earning the commute” in a post-pandemic world, questioning the value of physical office spaces.
• Varied global perspectives on office time, showing regional differences in flexibility expectations.
• Companies and employees are at odds over remote work, with employees wanting more flexibility and employers tightening the reins of remote work.
• Human connectivity and physical presence in the office matter for productivity and collaboration, but commute time in larger cities is a big issue for employees.
• The flex space is central to addressing productivity issues and providing a suitable work environment for the future.

Watch the entire session below:

Hybrid Workplace Integration: Unlocking New Levels of Flexibility at your Coworking Space

Led by Ivan Guberkov, GM Hybrid, OfficeRnD, and Tony Aleksandrov, Co-Founder and CEO, WorkBetter, this session covered how to run hybrid work models in coworking spaces.

Here’s a quick overview:

• Adding hybrid work tools to coworking spaces lets members coordinate hybrid schedules and book office resources, which adds flexibility.
• The high adoption of the hybrid model among 43 companies sharing office space at one of Bulgaria’s coworking spaces, ‘Work Better’, shows hybrid working has become the norm.
• A hybrid working approach in coworking spaces benefits the community.
• Predictions about AI’s role in coworking spaces: there might be automatic access systems where employees register, pay online, and get access to the space.
• Consistent quality of service matters for the long-term success of coworking spaces.

These insights reflect the evolving nature of work environments and the growing importance of flexibility and technology in modern workplaces.

Watch the entire session below:

Tech-Powered Strategies for Maximizing ROI and Revenue Generation

This session looked at the role of technology in coworking operations and profitability.

Here are some of the important discussions:

• The focus of coworking spaces has shifted from just providing a place to work with good Wi-Fi to creating a community and bringing people together.
• Coworking spaces can maximize revenue and scale quickly by using virtual memberships and automatic revenue subscriptions.
• The challenge for businesses is to find ways to service the influx of people wanting to use office spaces for their creator economy or influencer businesses without cannibalizing traditional business.
• The key to a higher ROI is a good user experience built by combining the best pieces of every technology.
• The potential of AI in understanding human behavior and what that means for coworking spaces.

Watch the entire session below:

The Future of Financial Transactions: Let’s Talk Payments

This session covered the role of payments in business growth. Here’s a short summary:

• Payments matter to every business because they represent cash flow, profitability, and growth.
• Good payment processes protect margins and profitability, especially in the hospitality industry where user experience is central.
• The case for low-cost payment methods like instant debit solutions.
• The need to connect operational customer data and financial data for strategic decisions.
• Future trends in payment methods, including the role of mobile payment apps and partnerships with companies like Stripe.
• Direct bank debit, or instant debit, is becoming a real trend and will have a positive impact on businesses globally.

Watch the entire session below:

WiFi Unplugged: Mastering WiFi in Flex & Coworking Spaces

This session was aimed at operators and focused on secure, resilient Wi-Fi networks. It covered:

• Why operators should treat Wi-Fi security as a long-term investment.
• The advantages of cloud-based controllers and VLANs for efficient, secure Wi-Fi management.
• Emerging technologies like Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi HaLow, offering better connectivity and security.
• Weak security cuts your revenue potential and can cause a loss of customer data that damages your business.

Watch the entire session below:

OfficeRnD’s Vision for the Future – Our Product Roadmap

In this session, our product marketing manager Michael Everts shared OfficeRnD’s plans for the flexible workspace experience, including:

• New integrations and admin dashboard improvements to simplify operations.
• Dynamic pricing and revenue management tools for better pricing strategies.
• A new mobile app and infrastructure integrations to improve the member experience.
• The integration of OfficeRnD Flex with IronWifi, which lets operators connect with a wide range of Wi-Fi network management vendors.
• Plans for a new visitor management experience to simplify front desk management for members.

Watch the entire session below:

Big Shout Out to All Amazing Speakers

We’d like to thank all speakers who took part in this event and shared their expert knowledge and insights. Thank you to:

• Ben Munn, Managing Director and Global Lead, JLL Flex
• Sarah Travers, CEO, WorkBar
• Tony Aleksandrov, CEO and co-founder, WorkBetter
• Hasan Mirjan, CEO, SphereMail
• Erin Maxson, Head of Digital, COhatch
• Alex Rabarts, Co-Founder and Innovation & Technology Director, Techspace
• Consuelo Ortiz, Senior Manager, Wi-Fi Alliance
• Hector Kolonas, Co-founder, Syncaroo
• Martin Benuska, Founder, IronWiFi
• Hilary Platt, Account Executive, Stripe
• Alexander Vodola, Director of Business Development, IronWiFi
• Ivan Guberkov, GM Hybrid, OfficeRnD
• Michael Everts, Product Marketing Manager, OfficeRnD
• Radoslav Enchev, Product Manager, OfficeRnD
• Miryana Stancheva, Ph. D. Professional Services Lead, OfficeRnD
• Viliyana Mutafova, Customer Success Manager, OfficeRnD

The FlexWorld Series 2023 conference gave the industry a platform for new ideas and practical insights for the future of workspaces.

As the industry evolves, the strategies and technologies discussed at this event will help operators navigate the changing landscape of work.

And OfficeRnD will keep working to create the best possible experience for both operators and members. Check out this extensive list of the top coworking conferences to attend this year.