Office Space News
2009′s Top Executive Suites Industry Moves
Published December 31st, 2009 by Jennifer LeClaire
As we wind down 2009, it’s time to look back on a year of moving, shaking, mergers and acquisitions. Indeed, there were plenty of significant storylines in the executive suites and virtual industry in the past 12 months as players large and small set out to leverage opportunities for alternative office space in a down economy.
aBetterOffice.com is highlighting some of the most significant stories we reported in 2009.
1. Regus Hits Monumental Milestones
Regus would not be denied its fair share of headlines in 2009. The company celebrated its 20 year anniversary and its 1,000 serviced office location pretty much back to back. Regus shows no signs of slowing down, either, having recently restructured its corporate board for global growth opportunities.
2. Meet Davinci 2.0
Davinci Virtual was busy on the Web 2.0 front this year, rolling out an impressive third version of its Web site and an innovative new platform to book meeting rooms online. The company also scored its 100 virtual office partner, took its place on Utah’s Emerging Elite, was nominated for the BCA Industry Awards, and continued its aggressive international expansion. Davinci is on a roll that should continue through 2010.
3. Preferred Offices Changes Name
Preferred Offices, a Washington, DC-based provider of alternative workplace solutions, acquired Synergy Workplaces in the third quarter. The company then went on to rebrand itself as Carr Workplaces to prepare for the opportunities ahead. 2010 looks promising for the made over company.
4. Regus Strikes Alliances
Hardly a month went by in 2009 when Regus didn’t strike a strategic alliance with another organization. The company inked deals with associations, magazines, airlines, credit cards, telecoms, and others in a move to bolster its Businessworld membership and international customer base. Expect Regus to keep striking deals where it can in 2010 — and expect others to try to follow suit.
5. Regent, Avanta Target Regus
Regus is a powerhouse in the executive suites world, but Regent and Avanta aren’t about to allow the company to take over – at least not without a fight. The companies forged an international alliance in 2009 that should pay dividends in 2010.
6. The Rise of Coworking
Coworking gained mega-momentum in 2009. Blankspaces opened in Los Angeles. Ignition Alley opened Atlanta’s first co-working facility. OfficeLinks launched coworking in Chicago’s Willis Tower. HUBsf opened in San Francisco. Collective Turf opened in Urbana. You get the picture. Expect more coworking sites to emerge in 2010.
7. Addressing Swine Flu
Swine flu was a hot topic in 2010 and the industry was on top of it. Officescape rolled out an initiative to keep business operations moving with emergency offices that allow employees to work from home, a remote office or from anywhere, anytime, whether during quarantine or outside of the flu-affected area. Emergency office services focus on ensuring readiness of physical office and conference space, communications, data and computing. FreedomVoice also promoted swine flu solutions with its 800 number services.
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About the Author
Elizabeth Sanchez December 31st, 2009 at 10:42 am
This is a great round up. I agree with your take on the top stories in the executive office suites space in 2009. You captured the pulse of the industry trends, with growth, mergers, alliances, etc. I am still waiting for a new company in the serviced office space to rise up and challenge Regus. I don’t see it yet, though.
Bill Brookshire December 31st, 2009 at 10:53 am
At some level, I think we can expect more of the same from the serviced office industry in 2010. Regus will probably continue to dominate on the executive suites front while Davinci Virtual dominates on the virtual office front. Coworking will gain more popularity. There are sure to be some surprises in the industry, though, and that’s what I can’t wait to see.
Jonathan Price January 1st, 2010 at 6:22 am
One of the most interesting aspects of 2009 was the absence of many bankruptcies in the serviced office industry despite the dreadful recession in the developed world. In the UK, MLS was the only notable failure, although Saturn Facilities was dragged down by the failure of its parent company. My understanding is that it was more or less the same elsewhere.
I think the survival of all the major companies in the teeth of such a recession shows that the industry has come of age and has reached a size and maturity that means it is here to stay.
The industry can pat itself on the back for getting this far, but should not pause for breath. Instead it should gird its loins for the next phase of growth. Onward and upward with 20% of total office space the target for the next decade!