On the 13th of March, we had the pleasure of attending the Coworking Switzerland Annual Meetup 🇨🇭, an inspiring gathering of coworking leaders, operators, and partners. From great discussions to meaningful connections, the event was a celebration of the coworking community’s resilience, innovation, and collaborative spirit. Here’s a recap of our experience:
The Evening Before: A Warm Welcome at Zentroom
Thilo and Laura started their conference trip the evening before with a visit to Zentroom, a cozy coworking space located right at the train station in Bern. (Fun fact: Zentroom has been with Cobot since the very beginning, and have been using our software since their space first opened!)
Hosts Irene Baumann and Michael Bridge gave us a tour of their beautifully designed space, and shared how they communicate a “Usage Culture” to ensure respectful and harmonious use of shared spaces.
One of the highlights was learning about their smart interior design decisions, which create and separate two distinct styles and atmospheres with an eye-catching middle zone.
They’ve created a nice mix of open and closed areas, striking a balance between collaboration and privacy. Even during a busy event day, many office doors remained open, giving the space an open and welcoming atmosphere.
Over dinner, we discussed how coworking spaces can act as a positive force in today’s world, fostering collaboration, sustainability, and community.
Conference Day: Learning, Sharing, and Celebrating
The conference kicked off with a warm welcome from Claudius, Melanie, and Tanja, setting the tone for a day of learning and connection.
Opening Question:
What is the actual impact of post-pandemic Return to Office (RTO)?
Attendees shared mixed experiences. While some spaces saw a positive impact, others felt no effect, and a few even reported a negative impact. This sparked an interesting conversation about how coworking spaces can adapt to changing workplace trends.
Industry Insights: Yaasa and Toniq
Yaasa, a Swiss ergonomic office furniture provider, presented their turnkey solutions tailored for coworking spaces. They also introduced the Activity Based Working approach: A work philosophy that emphasizes providing employees with a variety of purpose-built spaces to perform different activities based on their specific needs. This resonated with many in the audience.
In another session by Toniq, we dove into the fascinating world of audio branding. From the evolution of sound in media to the concept of Audio DNA, the talk highlighted how sound can shape brand identity and how background music can impact productivity in coworking spaces. The session also included а fun guessing game of brand sounds (did you know the MS Teams call sound evolved from Skype?)
Birthday Celebrations
No birthday is complete without cake, and we had two! One from Coworking Switzerland and one from our partner Christian Schmitz from Salto. The coffee and cake break was a great opportunity for everyone to relax, chat, and connect.
Assembly Meeting: Fun and Functional
The assembly meeting focused on legal procedures, board activities, and finances. Despite the formal agenda, Melanie from Coworking Switzerland kept things light and fun.
The day wrapped up with an informal networking session, where we had the chance to connect with more coworking operators and hear their stories. Everyone shared a positive outlook and expressed gratitude for the openness and support within the Swiss coworking network, which we thought about on our trip back to Berlin on the sleeper train 🚂.
Final Thoughts
The Coworking Switzerland Conference 2025 was a reminder of why we love this industry. It’s not just about shared workspaces, it’s about little moments where we enjoy a coffee with long-term partners and friends who share the same spirit for coworking.
It’s also big moments like the 10th-anniversary celebration that brings us together to reflect on the journey and spirit of coworking.
A big thank you to the organizers, speakers, and attendees for making this event so memorable. We’re already looking forward to next year!
Let’s keep the discussion going! What design choices have made the biggest impact in your coworking space? Share your thoughts with us on LinkedIn or Instagram.
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