GCUC Podcast - Coworking, Hospitality & The Future of Work

What happens when you run a meeting and events business like a hospitality company? For Elliott Sparsis, it means creating spaces where every detail. From the food and air quality to the technology and, most importantly, the people, they are designed around the experience.
In this episode of the GCUC Podcast, host Liz Elam sits down with Elliott Sparsis, Co-Founder of Together, to talk about his journey from Blackstone and Convene to launching Together in London. They explore why physical experiences are becoming more valuable in an increasingly digital world, how COVID changed the corporate meeting landscape, and why companies are moving away from traditional hotel meeting spaces.
Elliott also shares what it takes to build a hospitality-first team, the thinking behind Together's technology and food offerings, the realities of raising £10 million to launch the business, and why giving back through their partnership with James's Place is an important part of their mission.
Come experience Together for yourself and join the GCUC community in London for conversations, connections, and fresh ideas about the future of coworking and flexible work. Get your tickets today at uk.gcuc.co/tickets.
Listen & Connect
Connect with Elliott Sparsishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elliott-sparsis/
Learn more about Togetherhttps://together.space/
Connect with Liz Elamhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lizelam
GCUC Eventshttps://gcuc.co/coworking-events/
Watch the GCUC Podcast on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@GCUCPodcast/videos
 

Building Coworking Communities Across Africa with Paul Keursten of Workshop 17
In this episode of the GCUC Podcast, Liz Elam sits down with Paul Keursten, co-founder of Workshop17, to explore his journey from launching coworking spaces in the Netherlands in 2008 to building a 16+ location operation across Africa.
Paul shares lessons from scaling a coworking business while staying true to community, hospitality, and culture. They discuss:
Why coworking has always been about people, not just space
How Workshop 17 navigated the WeWork acquisition talks and COVID uncertainty
Why you can’t scale community and why you have to nurture culture
Building a coworking ecosystem across Africa through partnerships
The future of flexible work beyond traditional office spaces
A conversation about resilience, innovation, and creating workplaces where people feel connected and inspired.
 
Connect with Paul Keursten: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-keursten-b6b1625/
Connect with Liz Elam:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizelam
Learn more about GCUC & get your tickets for GCUC Africa:
The conversations shaping the future of coworking don't stop with the podcast. Join operators, founders, and industry leaders from across the continent this October at GCUC Africa.
https://africa.gcuc.co/
GCUC Eventshttps://gcuc.co/coworking-events/
Watch the GCUC Podcast on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@GCUCPodcast/videos
Learn more about Workshop 17: 
workshop17.co.za
 
Check out our Juicy Podcast Sponsor, Workspace Geek
Workspace Geek helps coworking operators simplify billing, automate operations, and spend less time managing software so they can focus on building thriving communities.
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to the GCUC Podcast, leave a review, and share it with another coworking operator. Follow GCUC for more conversations with the people shaping the future of flexible work.

What does it really take to build a sustainable flex office business in today’s evolving market?
In this episode of the GCUC Podcast, recorded live at GCUC 50 in New York City in partnership with Brave Ideas, host Caleb Parker sits down with Chiko Abengowe to unpack how disciplined leasing, operational clarity, and cash-flow-first thinking can still outperform increasingly complex industry models.
While much of the flex office sector has shifted toward management agreements, hybrid leases, and profit-sharing structures, Chiko has taken a different path by sticking with a lease-based model, prioritizing private offices, and focusing on simplicity as a core competitive advantage. The result is a scaled portfolio built on fundamentals rather than financial engineering.
Together, they explore how operators can grow sustainably without overcomplicating the business and why understanding both landlords and customers is essential to long-term success.
They cover:
Why Chiko has stayed committed to a lease-driven growth model while the industry shifts toward hybrid structures
How simplicity in deal structure can become a competitive advantage at scale
What landlords actually care about and how to structure deals that work for both sides
Why private offices continue to drive the majority of demand in flex space portfolios
How Chiko underwrites deals using straightforward, cash-flow-first logic rather than complex modeling
Why is rent collection a more important metric than occupancy
How founder-led authenticity and social media presence can directly drive customer acquisition
What it takes to scale during downturns and why flex space performs differently in market cycles
Whether you're a coworking operator, landlord, investor, or workplace strategist, this episode offers a grounded look at how real operators build resilient businesses by focusing on fundamentals instead of industry hype.
Connect with Chiko Abengowe:www.linkedin.com/in/chiko-abengowe-6124452/
Connect with Caleb Parker:www.linkedin.com/in/calebparker/
Learn more about GCUC:gcuc.co/
Learn more about Brave Ideas:
www.braveideas.media/
GCUC Events:gcuc.co/coworking-events/
Watch more episodes of the GCUC Podcast:www.youtube.com/@GCUCPodcast/videos

What are enterprise occupiers really looking for from flexible workspace?
In this episode of the GCUC Podcast, recorded live at GCUC 50 in New York City in partnership with Brave Ideas, host Caleb Parker sits down with Shay Bolton and Kirill Azovtsev of Savills to explore how enterprise occupiers are evaluating flexible workspace and what operators and landlords need to understand to win more deals.
As flexible workspace becomes a permanent part of corporate real estate strategies, occupiers are looking beyond desks and short-term leases. They're evaluating hospitality, amenities, operational partnerships, and the overall experience a building can provide.
Together, Caleb, Shay, and Kirill discuss how enterprise demand is evolving, why landlord-operator partnerships are becoming more important, and what separates successful flex deals from the ones that fall apart.
They cover:
How enterprise occupiers are using flexible workspace as part of their long-term portfolio strategy
Why hospitality and customer experience have become competitive advantages for office buildings
How coworking operators can create more value for landlords beyond leasing space
Why management agreements and profit-sharing models are replacing traditional lease structures
The biggest reasons flex deals fall apart and how operators can avoid them
What landlords look for when evaluating coworking partners
How operators should qualify buildings before investing time and capital
Why are larger office buildings increasingly incorporating flexible workspace
Whether "coworking" still defines the industry or if it's time for a new language
Whether you're a coworking operator, landlord, broker, or workplace strategist, this episode offers an inside look at how occupiers are making workplace decisions and what it takes to build successful partnerships in today's commercial real estate market.
Connect with Shay Bolton:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shay-bolton-873a566b/
Connect with Kirill Azovtsev:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirillazovtsev/
Connect with Caleb Parker:www.linkedin.com/in/calebparker/
Learn more about GCUC:gcuc.co/
Learn more about Brave Ideas:
www.braveideas.media/
GCUC Events:gcuc.co/coworking-events/
Watch more episodes of the GCUC Podcast:www.youtube.com/@GCUCPodcast/videos

What if the biggest problem with today's office isn't where we work but how we've designed work itself?
In this episode of the GCUC Podcast, recorded live at GCUC 50 in New York City in partnership with Brave Ideas, host Caleb Parker sits down with Phil Kirschner, workplace strategist, founder of PK Consulting, and author of the Work/Life newsletter, to explore why the future of work demands a completely new way of thinking about the office.
As organizations become more agile and teams gain greater autonomy, traditional office models are struggling to keep up. Phil argues that tomorrow's workplaces won't be defined by fixed desks or long-term leases.  They'll be built around flexibility, shared infrastructure, and experiences that help people do their best work.
Together, Caleb and Phil unpack what this shift means for landlords, occupiers, coworking operators, and anyone shaping the future of the built environment.
They cover:
Why today's offices are still designed for a world that no longer exists
What "octopus organizations" can teach us about the future of work
The concept of "full stack flex" and why buildings need to become more adaptable
How shared infrastructure creates better workplaces and stronger communities
Why team autonomy is reshaping workplace strategy
The role data and AI will play in helping people move through workspaces more intelligently
Why landlords and occupiers need to collaborate instead of operating in silos
How coworking principles can influence the future of corporate real estate
Whether you're a coworking operator, landlord, workplace strategist, or corporate real estate leader, this episode offers a thought-provoking look at how flexibility, hospitality, and human-centered design will shape the next generation of work.
Connect with Phil Kirschner:https://www.linkedin.com/in/philkirschner/
Connect with Caleb Parker:www.linkedin.com/in/calebparker/
Learn more about GCUC:gcuc.co/
Learn more about Brave Ideas:
www.braveideas.media/
GCUC Events:gcuc.co/coworking-events/
Watch more episodes of the GCUC Podcast:www.youtube.com/@GCUCPodcast/videos

What makes someone choose your workspace—and more importantly, stay?
In this episode of the GCUC Podcast, recorded live at GCUC 50 in New York City in partnership with Brave Ideas, host Caleb Parker sits down with Flip Howard, CEO of Lucid Private Offices, to explore why brand, experience, and intentional design have become some of the biggest differentiators in flexible workspace.
After spending years operating traditional executive suites, Flip transformed his company into a premium private office brand by focusing on one question: What kind of workspace do people actually want to spend their time in?
Together, Caleb and Flip discuss how Lucid found its niche between traditional executive suites and modern coworking, why premium doesn't have to mean expensive, and how thoughtful design, hospitality, and operational discipline create lasting value for both members and operators.
They cover:
Why brand matters more than ever in flexible workspace
How Lucid repositioned itself from a traditional executive suite operator to a premium private office brand
The balance between coworking energy and private office profitability
Why consistency across every location strengthens a brand
How design influences customer acquisition and community drives retention
Lease arbitrage vs. management agreements and why Lucid continues to bet on leases
What landlords are really looking for in today's coworking operators
Why the fundamentals of revenue, occupancy, and profitability still matter
How Lucid is approaching growth while staying true to its brand
Whether you're building a coworking space, operating private offices, or scaling a flexible workspace brand, this episode offers practical insights into creating spaces people remember and businesses that stand the test of time.
Connect with Flip Howard:www.linkedin.com/in/flip-howard/
Connect with Caleb Parker:www.linkedin.com/in/calebparker/
Learn more about GCUC:gcuc.co/
Learn more about Brave Ideas:
www.braveideas.media/
GCUC Events:gcuc.co/coworking-events/
Watch more episodes of the GCUC Podcast:www.youtube.com/@GCUCPodcast/videos

How do coworking operators actually win deals with today's landlords?
In this episode of the GCUC Podcast, recorded live at GCUC 50 in New York City in partnership with Brave Ideas, host Caleb Parker sits down with Justin Halpern and Christine Wyckoff of Cushman & Wakefield to unpack how enterprise demand is reshaping the flexible workspace industry and what operators need to do to stay competitive.
As enterprise occupiers increasingly integrate flex into their real estate portfolios, the conversation has shifted beyond finding space. Today, operators must demonstrate value, understand landlord priorities, and position themselves as long-term partners rather than tenants.
Justin and Christine share what they're seeing firsthand in the market, from the rise of hybrid lease structures and management agreements to the growing importance of speed, hospitality, and data-driven decision-making.
They cover:
How enterprise occupiers are using flexible workspace today
Why speed to market has become one of flex's greatest competitive advantages
What landlords are really looking for when choosing an operator
How hybrid leases and management agreements are changing the industry
Why operators should pitch landlords like investors—not just negotiate leases
The biggest mistakes operators make when pursuing expansion
Whether niche operators or national brands have the advantage in today's market
Why strong data, a clear value proposition, and intentional growth strategies matter more than ever
Whether you're growing a coworking brand, negotiating with landlords, or trying to better understand where enterprise flex is headed, this episode offers practical insights from two professionals at the center of today's commercial real estate transactions.
Connect with Justin Halpern:www.linkedin.com/in/justin-halpern-338ba0a/
Connect with Christine Wyckoff:www.linkedin.com/in/christine-wyckoff-9779193/
Connect with Caleb Parker:www.linkedin.com/in/calebparker/
Learn more about GCUC:gcuc.co/
Learn more about Brave Ideas:
www.braveideas.media/
GCUC Events:gcuc.co/coworking-events/
Watch more episodes of the GCUC Podcast:www.youtube.com/@GCUCPodcast/videos

What does it take to build an office building people actually want to stay in?
In this episode of the GCUC Podcast, recorded live at GCUC 50 in New York City in partnership with Brave Ideas, host Caleb Parker sits down with Brandon Medeiros, CEO of ReKalibrate, to explore why commercial real estate is no longer just a leasing business– it's an operating business.
As tenant expectations evolve and market conditions continue to shift, landlords can no longer rely on long-term leases alone. Brandon shares why customer intelligence, hospitality, and operational excellence are becoming the biggest drivers of asset performance, tenant retention, and long-term value.
Together, they discuss how landlords can better understand their customers, why retention matters more than renewal, and what role AI, workplace data, and premium experiences will play in the future of the office.
They cover:
Why commercial real estate is shifting from leasing to operations
The difference between retention and renewal and why it matters
How customer intelligence is reshaping office buildings
Why hospitality has become a competitive advantage for landlords
What AI can (and can't) do for commercial real estate today
How premium amenities and experiences drive stronger tenant engagement
Where landlords should begin if they want to build an operational real estate strategy
Whether you're a landlord, investor, coworking operator, workplace strategist, or commercial real estate professional, this episode offers practical insights into how the industry's most successful operators are adapting for what's next.
Connect with Brandon Medeiros:www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-medeiros-08b82614/
Connect with Caleb Parker:www.linkedin.com/in/calebparker/
Learn more about GCUC:gcuc.co/
Learn more about Brave Ideas:
www.braveideas.media/
GCUC Events:gcuc.co/coworking-events/
Watch more episodes of the GCUC Podcast:www.youtube.com/@GCUCPodcast/videos