We source locations that are easy to access via public transportation , close to quality hotel inventory . |
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How does Convene ’ s pricing structure compare to other premium venues and what value propositions set you apart ? Convene is in a category of its own . And , unlike most of the other players in the space , we ’ ve intentionally built our business to offer all key services in-house . This allows us to not only deliver a better experience but to bundle our offerings into comprehensive packages that eliminate the nickel-and-diming that happens at most other venues . In addition , through the Convene Enhancement Program , we have a network of preferred vendors and we provide clients with a single invoice to streamline the billing process .
Because of our core focus on meetings and events , our workplace members benefit from a hospitality infrastructure that no coworking company can compete with .
What trends are you observing in the events and workspace industry ? How are these influencing Convene ’ s strategy ? The typical ‘ calendar of events ’ that was standard up until the pandemic has evolved . Given the rapid adoption of flexible work arrangements , clients are more thoughtful when it comes to attendees ’ personal schedules and often factor in holidays into their planning ; this has caused a shrinking annual events calendar in addition to significant Tuesday-through-Thursday date compression .
We ’ ve also seen a shift towards fewer , larger , and more experiential events . Given these trends , our team is working hard to be strategic in how we match the right client with the right venue on the right date in order to maximise value for all parties .
In this new hybrid work world , it ’ s even more critical for organisations to
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bring their teams and clients together to connect , collaborate , and create . And the broader ‘ flight to experience ’ indicates that this needs to be done in a meaningful way . Convene is wellpositioned as the partner of choice for organisations seeking premium workspaces as well as dynamic meeting and event spaces for highimpact in-person gatherings .
What does the future look like in terms of forward bookings ? The standard booking window has continued to evolve . For large events , the average booking window has increased by more than 20 days , which has shifted our client outreach strategy . Conversely , for smaller meetings , because of hybrid work , we ’ ve witnessed an increase in ‘ in-themonth-for-the-month ’ bookings as companies look for more ways to bring their teams together in person on a regular cadence . Globally , over 65 % of our revenue comes from repeat clients with more and more of our Fortune 500 clients now opting to execute longer-term service agreements that include standard terms , volume-based discounts , and other perks in exchange for a minimum annual committed spend with Convene .
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Above : Convene Sancroft , London |
Where do you see the most significant opportunities for growth ? The meeting , event , and flexible workspace industry will start to mirror the hotel industry , with a few global platforms operating multiple brands . Convene is firmly headed in that direction . Over the next few years , we ’ re 100 % focused on deepening our portfolio in existing markets while actively exploring expansion markets across the US , UK , Canada , and Europe , which could include future acquisitions .
How do you envision the future of events and workspaces ? The future of meetings , events , and work are inextricably linked . There is no doubt that the way we meet , work , and live will become increasingly flexible with employees empowered to choose when and where they work . This , combined with the broader shift towards lifestyle experiences , will put pressure on organisations to rethink their workplace strategies and the value of in-person gatherings to drive culture , innovation , and business outcomes – including outsourcing more and more of these experiences to platforms like Convene . n
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