Today’s offices, hotels and restaurants need to be more than just places to eat, sleep and work.  We expect more than function; we expect activities, experiences and beauty. This new need for “community” in previously functional spaces led the NYUSPS Wasserman Center for Career Development, the Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, the Schack Institute of Real Estate, and the Hospitality and Tourism Society (HTS) to co-host a panel on “Co-Working and Creative Community Building”.

The event panelists were some of the top minds in experiential real estate and hospitality including Collective Retreats, Soho House, Convene, Domio, and Freehand. They brought a wealth of knowledge on the topics of creating communities in hotels, restaurants and offices, as well as how to build a career in hospitality and real estate. 

Shawn Amsler, the moderator of the panel and professor at the NYUSPS Schack Institute of Real Estate said, “The real estate industry as a whole has seen more changes in the last decade than in the three or four decades prior to that combined, particularly when it comes to the way property owners and managers respond to the rapidly evolving needs and tastes of their customers and users. Experiential programming and community building are quickly becoming an integral and indispensable feature of nearly every property type.”

Dr. Lynn Minnaert, Academic Chair & Clinical Associate Professor at the NYUSPS Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality said, “The panelists clearly outlined how in the span of 5-10 years, experiential hospitality and community building has moved from the fringes to the center of our industry. Guests are looking for authentic connections to people and spaces, and creating these experiences goes well beyond decor. Activating spaces through excellent and customized service, original events and relationships with innovative local businesses is a challenging process, and the panelists all represented companies that set the bar high in this regard.”

The panelists also had a great deal to say about career paths, which incorporated the NYUSPS Wasserman Center for Career Development’s Career Wellness Model. Vanessa Vitale of Collective Retreats encouraged students to find organizations with values that match their own. All of the speakers mentioned that working in hospitality is a “lifestyle” that one needs to really love and have a passion for, so it’s important to have the same values as your employer. Otherwise, not being a right fit for their culture will make the long days will feel even longer. 

For those students that are just starting out in their careers, Patrick Siegel of Soho House New York said, “Be willing to work a little harder than the person next to you. I still plunge toilets and wash dishes when I have to!” Camilla Anderson of Convene said, “Find great leaders or mentors from the start of your career, because they will help you to push forward. Look around you and say ‘who are the people I want to learn from and who I want to become?’”

Whether it's developing strategies to respond to ever-changing market needs, discovering your values and strengths, or finding mentors in the workplace, career coaches at the NYUSPS Wasserman Center are able to partner with you on your own individual career action plans. Schedule an appointment on Handshake today.