Dr. Sofia Dermisi will share her expert insights and latest research around emerging trends in workplace and real estate, examining the purpose of the office in the new world of hybrid work. The session will focus on key disruptors of the workplace [pandemic, structural and technological innovations (e.g. sustainable material, architectural elements promoting well-being, IoT), and workplace evolving needs (generational shift, great resignation and liquid workforce)] and evolving possibilities.

As a remote-first organization since its’ inception, GitHub views office space as a critical tool providing the human need for in-person connection and community. Creating a ‘place’ for hubbers to thrive and grow in a climate conscious, professional and energizing series of spaces connected through the principals of culture, innovation and the joy of creation. Let’s accelerate the rate of human progress and look further into how we can design an office that enables deeper connections in both the physical and digital realms.

This session will highlight some of the most influential placemaking projects and mixed-use developments that are shaping the future of Seattle and Bellevue. Our panel of experts will share their thoughts on what the future holds for the Greater Seattle Area and explore the impact of the pandemic and subsequent shifts in workplace and corporate real estate strategies. How will these changes impact the future of our cities and the way people live, work and interact within them?

The purpose of the office has changed. Hybrid Working is the term on everyone's lips but for many, big questions remain unanswered; How do you bring the workforce back into the office? What should that office look like? Creating a truly effective workplace has always required a perfect balance between people, place, and technology. Given the most recent and dramatic global shifts in the way we work, how do we now best drive communication, motivation, engagement with the right technology and facilities to work, innovate and collaborate?

While DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) has become more important to businesses around the world…the definition and understanding of what it means to business and the workplace has broadened to include not only race, culture, and physical inclusion, but gender diversity and neurodiversity as well. Join a presentation and panel discussion to look at strategies for addressing a diverse workforce in this new age or work both from a design and operations perspective.

The age of the “anywhere office” has accelerated multiple workplace transformation trends that were already well underway before the onset of COVID-19. Workplace trends such as smart workplace technology integration, human experience enablement as well as the emergence of diverse ‘hybrid workplace’ behaviours – these workplace trends have now rapidly gained greater adoption, but many questions remain. Our panel will explore the emerging “Intelligent + Experiential” Workplace and what we can expect for the near term and longer term as we shape the future of enterprise workplace ecosystems.

Bungie Games is one of the most well-known gaming companies in the world, responsible for Destiny and many others. Prior to the pandemic, the company began working on the design of a new headquarters in Bellevue, WA. Then the pandemic hit. In this session, you’ll hear from top executives at Bungie as well as the workplace strategy and design team at NBBJ to understand what impact the pandemic had on the headquarters design. In response, the panelists will outline how the project supports teams – both virtually and in person – and how it opens the aperture to talent located outside the PNW.

Alex shares insights from the 4 Day Week global pilot and his book Shorter, which tells the story of entrepreneurs and leaders all over the world who have discovered how to shrink the workweek without cutting salaries or sacrificing productivity or revenues. They show that by reducing distractions, eliminating inefficiencies, and creating time for high-quality focus and collaboration, 4-day workweeks can boost recruitment and retention, make leaders more thoughtful and companies more sustainable, and improve work-life balance.