We’ll start the day by gauging the biggest challenges shaping today’s workplaces, the barriers holding back progress, and the opportunities that lie ahead. This interactive session will set the stage for the day’s discussions, inspiring a collective drive toward innovation and meaningful change.

As work increasingly spans both home and office environments, it has become clear that the built environment plays a crucial role in shaping health, well-being, inclusion, creativity, and productivity. Yet most spaces were not designed for this new reality, and their impact on workers is often invisible but profound. This talk will highlight how integrating human-centered design with intelligent technologies can transform both home and office environments into supportive, responsive partners in the future of work.

Step inside SmithGroup’s unique journey as both designer and client during the transformation of their new Los Angeles workspace. This session offers an honest look at the tension between vision and practicality, the fine line between collaboration and overcomplication, and the impact these experiences will have on our how we now approach client partnerships. Whether you’re seasoned in the field or curious about what really happens behind closed doors, join us for actionable tips and fresh perspective on managing design projects from both sides of the equation!

The workplace is more than just a physical space—it’s an interconnected ecosystem that shapes employee experience and business performance. Yet, measuring success across people, culture, space, and technology remains a challenge. This panel explores cross-functional strategies to break down barriers, leverage data, and establish meaningful metrics beyond traditional KPIs. Industry leaders will share insights, challenges, and innovative approaches to workplace analytics, helping organizations redefine success and optimize employee experience, productivity, and business outcomes.

The modern workplace is evolving from a functional environment into a destination that motivates employees to connect, collaborate, and create. By incorporating elements of hospitality and thoughtful design, organizations are building spaces that feel welcoming, adaptable, and purposeful. Coffee bars, lounge-style collaboration zones, flexible greenery, and curated amenity spaces are redefining what employees expect when they come into the office. These innovations not only encourage a sense of belonging but also provide valuable data on how, when, and why people use space.

Today’s workplace demands that CRE leaders reconcile three powerful inputs that rarely align: data that quantifies performance, people insights that reveal lived experience, and leadership incentives that set strategic direction. The challenge lies not only in interpreting each signal in isolation, but in balancing them when they conflict. This session will explore real-world examples that integrate these inputs into decision frameworks that drive clarity, alignment, and smarter trade-offs.

In today’s shift from the Attention Economy to the Experience Age, environments must support moving beyond distraction and become catalysts for wellbeing and performance. This presentation explores how immersive digital art can engineer flow states that unlock creativity and productivity, supported by data-driven coherence through sensors, emotion AI, and real-time engagement analytics. It also highlights inclusive design for the neurodivergent workforce, showing how tailored experiences reduce stress, restore focus, and foster belonging.

As budgets tighten, workplace leaders are finding new ways to deliver impact without overspending. This panel dives into practical strategies for maximizing space, simplifying operations, and driving engagement through culture, creativity, and community — proving that great workplace experience doesn’t always require a big budget.

As the day concludes, join us to reflect on key themes, insights, and takeaways from the conference. This interactive session will distil key learnings, spark discussion, and explore how the ideas presented can drive future action. Share your thoughts, gain fresh perspectives, and leave inspired to turn insights into impact.