Coworking Canada Unconference
October 19-21, 2026
Montréal, Quebec
Community. Collaboration. Culture. Connection. Coworking.
Coworking Canada is where the future of work meets the power of community.
We return to Montréal, Quebec for our 12th annual Canadian Unconference, where we will gather at the Montréal Science Centre and at Montréal Cowork, on the traditional territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) Nation. Montréal is home to many First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, and the city is known to be full of stunning architecture, community festivals, culture, coworking, and creativity – the perfect place to spark new ideas and learn from each other, as well as from our guest speakers and experts from across Turtle Island.
You will also have the opportunity to tour some of the best coworking and collaborative spaces across Montréal, sharing their unique experience and practices to help build, manage, and grow thriving collaborative communities.
If you’re interested in: coworking, collaboration, community hubs, creative and cultural spaces, placemaking, social purpose real estate, community land trusts, communal care, coliving, co-operative models, distributed and remote work, entrepreneurship, community-led economic development, supporting local businesses, systems change, the future of work, building partnerships and alliances, making great change and meaningful connections – the Coworking Canada Unconference is for you. Join us October 19-21 at the Coworking Canada Unconference!
EST. 2012
We believe coworking is a verb.
It’s intentional. It’s an action. It’s an international movement.
The knowledge, experience, and expertise we’ve gathered by coworking in Canada over the past 22 years is now leading and shaping the way we work around the world.
Our collaborative practices have grown from and upon those developed by artists, academics, activists, women, caregivers, and especially the world’s Indigenous Peoples. Together we all share resources, provide guidance, and help to create effective strategies for navigating partnerships, strategic alliances, and building resilient communities. We’re empowering authentic and creative collaborations in this new work landscape.
We welcome contributors and participants from around the world, in the spirit of coworking.
ONLINE EVENT
COWORKING CANADA
2026
ONLINE EDITION
NOVEMBER 18, 2026
The 12th annual Coworking Canada Unconference took place at the Montréal Science Centre – La Perspective 235° on October 19, 2026 in Montréal, QC, Canada.
The theme this year was “Shared Futures: Building Stronger Communities Together”. In addition to hearing from experts and thought leaders, we had the opportunity to lead and contribute to these conversations.
We can’t wait to share the 2026 Unconference highlights with you, as we gather online with our colleagues and coworking friends from around the world.
Join us for the ONLINE EDITION of Coworking Canada – November 18th, 2026.
Save your spot today!
Explore the agenda 👇
NOVEMBER 18th: Coworking Canada ONLINE EDITION
ONLINE EVENT LINK WILL BE SENT TO TICKETHOLDERS NOVEMBER 18th
AGENDA LISTED IN EASTERN TIME (ET) *CHECK YOUR TIMEZONE*
11:00 AM – COWORKING CANADA 2026 BEGINS
Co-hosts: Ashley Proctor, Bernie Mitchell
11:15 AM
Welcome & Land Acknowledgement
Ashley Proctor – Coworking Canada
11:30 AM
Coworking Across Canada
Monique Cherrie, Speaker TBA, Speaker TBA, Speaker TBA
11:50 AM
Spotlight on Toronto
Graham Wong – LAUFT On-Demand Workspace, Carly Bedini – iQ Offices, Edward Wensing – Adelaide House Coworking
12:15 PM
State of Play
Hector Kolonas – This Week In Coworking
12:30 PM – BIO BREAK / INTERACTIVE
12:35 PM
Community Infrastructure & The Global Coworking Movement
Ashley Proctor – Coworking Canada
12:50 PM
Our Why: Nine Core Beliefs in the Age of AI
Alex Barnes – AI Collective
1:05 PM
The Future of Work is Now
Denise Brouder – Future of Work Alliance, Joe O’Connor – Work Time Revolution, Amina Moreau – Radious
1:55 PM – BIO BREAK / INTERACTIVE
2:00 PM
Building at the Edge of What’s Next
Ginger Dhaliwal – Upflex
2:15 PM
Beyond the Core: Coworking in Rural Communities
Brandon Houston – The Collingwood Foundry
2:30 PM
The Social Blueprint: Designing Places People Love
Heather Dubbeldam – Dubbledam Architecture + Design
2:45PM
Architects of Connection: How Purposeful Presence, People and Place Delivers Results
Earl Hoeg – PeopleFirst
3:00 PM
Strategic Partnerships & Alliances
Blaize Randell – Future Leaders of Coworking, Charlotte Kirby – Coworking Canada, Denise Brouder – Future of Work Alliance
3:25 PM – BIO BREAK
3:30 PM
Hacking Capitalism – Social Purpose Real Estate
Dominique Russell & Kevin Barrett – Kensington Market Community Land Trust (KMCLT)
3:45 PM
Fireside Chat: Reflecting on 20 years of Coworking
Moderator: Qasim Virjee – StartWell, Tonya Surman – Centre for Social Innovation, Ashley Proctor – Creative Blueprint
4:15 PM
Looking Forward: A Vision for the Future of Coworking
Hector Kolonas – This Week In Coworking, Nikki Mobini – Thinktank Workspace, Qasim Virjee – StartWell
4:45 PM
Closing Remarks: Collaborative Poetry
Ashley Proctor – Coworking Canada
5:00 PM
OPEN DISCUSSION (Optional)
Reserve Your 2025 Tickets
Montréal, QC
COWORKING CANADA
2026 Unconference & Tours
OCTOBER 19-21, 2026
The 12th annual Coworking Canada Unconference takes place October 19 – 21, 2026 in Montréal, QC, Canada.
The theme this year is “Shared Futures: Building Stronger Communities Together”. In addition to hearing from experts and thought leaders, you will have the opportunity to lead and contribute to these conversations.
We can’t wait to share the 2026 Unconference with you!
Join us in Montréal for Coworking Canada – where changemakers gather to shape the future of work, place, and community.
October 19-21, 2026 – Montréal, Québec, Canada
▶ EXPLORE THE AGENDA
CONFERENCE VENUE: Montréal Science Centre – La Perspective 235°
2 De la Commune Street West, Old Port, Montréal, QC, H2Y 4B2
9:30 AM – REGISTRATION OPENS
Join us for coffee, tea, and introductions
10:00 AM – COWORKING CANADA BEGINS
Welcome to Tiohtià:ke (Montréal)
Speaker – TBA
10:10 AM
Welcome to Coworking Canada! (EN)
Ashley Proctor – Creative Blueprint, Ian-Patrick Thibault – Coworking Rive-Sud
10:20 AM
History of the Coworking Movement
Ashley Proctor – Creative Blueprint
10:25 AM
Spotlight on Québec (EN)
Ian-Patrick Thibault – Coworking Rive-Sud, Francis Talbot – Montréal CoWork, François Richard – ECTO.
11:05 AM
Coliving Beyond the Hype: The Challenges Behind the Scenes (EN)
Maria Kinoshita – Nomad Coliving
11:20 AM
Community Connections (EN/FR)
Interactive
11:30 AM – BIO BREAK
11:45 AM
Open space et travail hybride : une autre forme du coworking (FR)
Tawfiq Alla – Université TÉLUQ
12:05 PM
Coworking Around the World
Hector Kolonas – This Week In Coworking
12:20 PM
Engineering Serendipity (EN)
Greg Lindsay – University of Toronto School of Cities
12:45 PM
Coworking as Community Infrastructure (EN/FR)
Interactive
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM LUNCH BREAK
2:00 PM (EN)
Does Your Space Earn the Commute?
Olesy Alekseev & Serena Quaglia – Wellnutcake
2:20 PM
Expansion and Growth (EN)
Jerome Chang – BLANKSPACES, Nancy Fornasiero – ACE Coworking.
2:50 PM
Fireside Chat: Resilience Centres (EN)
Ashley Proctor – Creative Blueprint, Justin Powers & Kayla-Wofford-Nelson – Sierra Shared Spaces
3:25 PM – BIO BREAK
3:45 PM
Community Land Trusts & Community-Owned Infrastructure
Speakers – TBA
4:10 PM
Looking Forward: A Vision for the Future of Coworking (EN)
Sam Rosen – Yardi, Thilo Utke – Cobot Coworking Software
4:45 PM
The Future of the Collective
Day One – Closing Remarks (EN/FR)
Ian-Patrick Thibault & Ashley Proctor – Coworking Canada
5:00 – 7:00 PM 5-À-7
NETWORKING RECEPTION (EN/FR)
VENUE:
Montréal Science Centre – Perspective 235°
2 De la Commune Street West, Old Port, Montréal, QC, H2Y 4B2
UNCONFERENCE VENUE: Montréal Cowork
4388 Saint-Denis St, #200, Montréal, QC, Canada
10:00 AM – REGISTRATION OPENS
10:15 AM
Welcome to the Unconference!
Morning Reflections
10:30 AM
Pitching & voting for topics & sessions – ADD YOUR TOPICS HERE
11:00 AM – UNCONFERENCE SESSION #1
ROOM A
Workspace Operations: Tips, Tools, & Technology
Breakout Discussion
ROOM B
Workplace Wellness: Best Practices for Operators
Breakout Discussion
ROOM C
Collectives and Alliances
Breakout Discussion
ROOM D
Topic Selected by Participants
TBA
MAIN LOUNGE
Breakout Conversations – Free Space
12:00 PM – LUNCH BREAK
1:00 PM – UNCONFERENCE SESSION #2
ROOM A
AI – Best Practices for Coworking
Breakout Discussion: Sam Rosen – Yardi
ROOM B
Rural Coworking Communities
Breakout Discussion:
ROOM C
Virtual Coworking Communities
Breakout Discussion: Vincent Gagnon – Parlons Virtuel
ROOM D
Topic Selected by Participants
TBA
MAIN LOUNGE
Breakout Conversations – Free Space
2:00 PM – BIO BREAK
2:15 PM – UNCONFERENCE SESSION #3
ROOM A
Ask a Coworking Expert
Panelists – TBA
ROOM B
Partnerships, Ecosystem Building, & Layering Social Impact
Breakout Discussion
ROOM C
Marketing & Sales
Presenter – TBA
ROOM D
Topic Selected by Participants
TBA
MAIN LOUNGE
Breakout Conversations – Free Space
3:15 PM – BIO BREAK
3:30 PM – UNCONFERENCE SESSION #4
ROOM A
Practicing our Pitches – How do you explain coworking?
Interactive Workshop
ROOM B
Finance – Pro Forma Workshop
Jerome Chang
ROOM C
Topic Selected by Participants
TBA
ROOM D
Topic Selected by Participants
TBA
MAIN LOUNGE
Planning for the Future of Coworking Canada
Collaborative Workshop & Group Discussion
4:30 PM
MAIN FLOOR LOUNGE
Collaborative Unconference Recap
5:00 PM
Closing Remarks
Ashley Proctor – Creative Blueprint & Coworking Canada
5:00 – 7:00 PM 5-À-7
NETWORKING RECEPTION
VENUE: Montréal Cowork
4388 Saint-Denis St, #200, Montréal, QC, Canada
MORNING MEETING POINT: TBA
Stay Tuned!
Morning Tour
TOUR #1 DESTINATIONS
9:00 AM – Crew Collective & Café
360 Rue Saint-Jacques
10:00 AM – Walter Montréal
85, rue Saint-Paul Ouest (5e étage)
11:00 AM – iQ Offices
1155 Rue Metcalfe Ste 1500
12:00 LUNCH @ TBA
Afternoon Tour
TOUR #2 DESTINATIONS
1:30 PM – TBA
2:30 PM – TBA
3:30 PM – TBA
Safe Travels Home!
2026 Speakers & Hosts
More speakers will be announced soon!
Ian-Patrick Thibault
Coworking Rive-Sud
Ian-Patrick Thibault is the founder and President of Coworking Rive-Sud. A visionary entrepreneur passionate about business growth and innovation, he launched the network to provide flexible, turnkey, and collaborative workspaces tailored to independents, startups, and growing teams across the Montérégie region. Dedicated to empowering local professionals, Ian-Patrick focuses on building dynamic communities and accessible environments where entrepreneurship can thrive.
Greg Lindsay
University of Toronto School of Cities
Greg Lindsay is an urbanist-in-residence at the University of Toronto’s School of Cities, as well as a non-resident senior fellow of MIT’s Future Urban Collectives Lab, Arizona State University’s Threatcasting Lab, and the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. He has written and spoken about coworking and the future of work for Fast Company, The New York Times, Time, the Aspen Idea Festival, and many others.
Maria Kinoshita
Nomad Coliving
After years of working remotely and experiencing coliving communities across Asia, Europe, and North America, Maria Kinoshita El Baghir turned her passion for this lifestyle into a business. In 2018, she founded Nomad Coliving, Canada’s first coliving space for digital nomads, creating welcoming communities where remote workers, entrepreneurs, and people from around the world can live and connect. Passionate about reimagining how people live, work, and connect across cultures, Maria is now bringing her vision internationally with a new Nomad Coliving project in Okinawa, Japan.
Francis Talbot
Montréal CoWork
Carole-Anne Hamilton
Montréal CoWork
Passionate about events management, human connections, and bringing people together, I have been part of the Montréal CoWork team for the past two years. I oversee the Events Department and lead strategic partnerships. What truly drives me is creating genuine connections, building lasting relationships, and delivering memorable experiences. To me, the greatest success is seeing our clients return, not only for our spaces and services, but for the meaningful relationships and sense of belonging we create along the way.
Sam Rosen
Yardi
I opened Chicago’s first coworking space in 2008, after a decade building one of the city’s beloved digital branding agencies, and have been obsessed with the intersection of design, technology, and where we work ever since. I went on to build and sell Desktime and Deskpass. Today I work with Yardi as they navigate the future of flexible work. Eighteen years in, I still believe the same thing I did on day one: the best workplaces are designed around people, not floor plans. The rest is logistics. I live in Chicago and I believe in the Chicago Bears.
Tawfiq Alla
Université TÉLUQ
Ashley Proctor
Creative Blueprint
Ashley is the Executive Director of Coworking Canada. Through her company Creative Blueprint, Ashley has inspired a global network of coworking catalysts and change makers for the past 23 years. Ashley co-founded Coworking Canada, the Coworking Ontario, and Coworking Toronto collectives, The Coworking IDEA Project, and the Coworking Health Insurance Plan (COHIP). Ashley worked to develop 312 Main: Centre for Social and Economic Innovation, OCADU’s Xpace, the The Foundery Buildings, Sierra Shared Spaces’ Lake Isabella Community Hub, and she co-produces the international Coworking Alliance Summit. These days, Ashley focuses her collaborative work on Social Purpose Real Estate (SPRE), worker’s rights, and Community Land Trusts (CLT’s).
François Richard
ECTO
Since around 2022, François Richard has served as a volunteer board member at ECTO, a solidarity cooperative coworking space in Montréal, joining during a period of post-pandemic and post-fire instability. He plays a significant role in governance, operations, and community animation: drafting membership, onboarding, and event policies, preparing AGA communications and pricing strategy, producing the annual activity report, supporting the coordinator hiring process, and co-hosting the monthly “Bières & Philosophie” evenings. He also advises on legal and cooperative compliance questions.
Jerome Chang
People of Coworking
Jerome is a licensed architect in Los Angeles who founded BLANKSPACES in 2008, one of the oldest coworking spaces in the US. He co-founded the non-profit, LExC, League of Extraordinary Coworking, in 2011. Recently, he founded People of Coworking, an initiative to improve diversity amongst speakers at coworking conferences.
Nancy Fornasiero
ACE Coworking
Nancy Fornasiero is the founder and community director of ACE Coworking, Oakville, Ontario’s premier independent flex workspace. Launched in 2018 to foster local productivity and authentic connection, ACE has expanded three times—first growing vertically onto a second floor, and later establishing a separate and distinct nearby location. The original hub offers a traditional coworking environment with hot desks, private offices, collaborative breakout zones, and vibrant events, while ‘ACE Offices’ provides a fully serviced, private office facility. In addition to managing her own locations, Nancy provides consulting services to operators looking to launch in suburban and small-town markets where a hyper-local community focus is essential.
Hector Kolonas
Syncaroo & TWIC
Hector Kolonas is a Flex Workspace Geek, helping streamline tech stacks at Syncaroo, creating opportunities to make workspaces more manageable, rewarding, accessible and flexible through interconnected technology.
Hector is also amplifying great coworking stories as the producer of the weekly newsletter – This Week In Coworking – which highlights some of the news, trends and shifts others may have missed.
Olesy Alekseev
Wellnutcake Inc.
Olesy Alekseev is the Co-Founder at Wellnutcake. Together with her team she helps real estate developers, commercial real estate institutions, public sector organizations, and brands unlock value from the $6.8 trillion global wellness economy. Today’s consumers increasingly expect places, products, and experiences that support health, wellbeing, connection, and purpose. Organizations that understand and respond to these evolving expectations are creating stronger brands, more resilient assets, and better business outcomes.
At Wellnutcake, we leverage business intelligence, consumer insights, and strategic advisory to help organizations quantify the RETURN ON WELLNESS in people, place, and performance.
Justin Powers
Sierra Shared Spaces
Justin Powers is the founder of Sierra Shared Spaces and Kernville Cowork, and has been redefining the role shared spaces can play in rural communities since 2018. A multi-generational resident of the Kern River Valley in the Southern Sierra Nevadas, Justin has witnessed first hand the devastating combination of wildfire and long term disinvestment, and the impact it can have on an isolated rural community. Sierra Shared Spaces’ cornerstone project, the Lake Isabella Community Hub, aims to tackle both: providing critical disaster resiliency infrastructure while helping grow the region’s recreation economy.
Kayla Wofford-Nelson
Sierra Shared Spaces
Kayla Wofford-Nelson serves as Administrative Coordinator at Sierra Shared Spaces, supporting development of the Lake Isabella Community Hub. With a background in nonprofit leadership and fundraising, she brings both operational experience and a heart for service to her work. Kayla is passionate about creating welcoming spaces where people can connect, access opportunities, and experience belonging.
Nikki Mobini
Thinktank Workspace Inc
Nikki is the owner and operator of Thinktank Workspace Inc. since 2016, where she helps startups and SMEs grow through workspace, advisory services, and branding support. Clients describe her as generous with her time and resources, creative, solution-oriented, and purpose-driven, with a strong passion for empowering female entrepreneurs. She has also been a Regulated Health Professional and leader across both private and public sectors, and has accepted contracts in business development and partnerships within the Ontario innovation sector. Passionate about professional development, Nikki recently earned her Executive MBA from Ivey Business School at Western University. She looks forward to unlocking new opportunities and synergies at the Coworking Canada Unconference with partners in the sector to continue supporting and scaling startups.
Kevin Barrett
Kensington Market CLT
Kevin Barrett is a founding member and Co-Chair of the Kensington Market Community Land Trust in downtown Toronto. Kevin is a guitarist, producer, musical director, and composer, and a community activist. He makes music across the country and internationally, while maintaining a continuous presence on the Toronto scene, and operates a busy recording and teaching studio in Toronto’s Kensington Market. Kevin’s activist work has focused on anti-poverty, economic justice and affordable housing issues over many decades.
Blaize Randell
Sonder Coworking
Blaize Randell is Founder of Sonder Coworking, and the former Director of Community and Engagement at Fractal Workspace. She leads with a passion for creating people-first workplaces, and she serves on the board of the Future Leaders of Coworking, championing inclusivity and innovation in the global coworking movement. Known for her authenticity and energy, Blaize helps entrepreneurs, professionals, and teams find not just space, but belonging. As a mom of two and a believer in big goals, she brings real-world experience and a genuine commitment to building communities that inspire connection and growth.
Abdullah Idrees
Spacefully
Abdullah Idrees is a Digital Account Manager at Spacefully with a focus on coworking marketing, helping spaces attract new members and grow through data-driven strategies. Over the past few years, he’s worked closely with coworking operators to run targeted Google Ads campaigns, analyze performance, and uncover insights that lead to real results. Abdullah brings a mix of creativity and analytics to his work, always looking for the story behind the numbers.
Heather Dubbeldam
Dubbeldam Architecture + Design
Heather Dubbeldam is a fourth-generation architect and the principal of Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, a Toronto, Canada-based studio recognized for its innovative and sustainable projects. Her forward-thinking design approach, commitment to environmental and social sustainability, and belief in architecture and advocacy as a catalyst for change have established her as a leading Canadian architect of her generation. Dubbeldam has received over 100 awards for design, practice and advocacy, including the Professional Prix de Rome from the Canada Council for the Arts and, more recently, the 2024 Architectural Practice Award from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, two of the highest honors for architectural practices in Canada. Her studio’s work emphasizes human-centric design principals to create socially sustainable spaces. Her award-winning work spaces include Slack’s Toronto HQ, Travelzoo’s Canadian Head Office, and Lokaal space coworking owned and operated by Heather and her partner Kevin McIntosh. Heather is also a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, recognizing individuals around the world who have made a meaningful impact in their communities.
Earl Hoeg
PeopleFirst
Earl Hoeg is a seasoned executive and workplace strategist with over 20 years of senior leadership experience, grounded in a people-first philosophy. Long before hybrid work became the norm, Earl led distributed teams for 16 years, proving that physical distance does not have to mean disconnection. As the former Head of Workplace Strategy at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), one of the largest real property holders in the Government of Canada, Earl was responsible for 600,000 sq. m of office space across 425 locations. His approach brings together space, culture, and strategy to support connection, collaboration, and performance. Today, Earl has served as Vice President of Operations at LAUFT Flexible Workspace and as the President of PeopleFirst.
Edward Wensing
Adelaide House Coworking
Edward has 9 years of experience building spaces and communities that bring people together to work, connect, and thrive. As a co-founder of Adelaide House Coworking in Toronto, he focuses on creating environments that balance professionalism with warmth, while fostering meaningful collaboration across entrepreneurs, startups, and teams.
Edward is passionate about reimagining how people work together and the role community plays in shaping that experience.
Carly Bedini
iQ Offices
Carly Bedini is Vice President of Operations at iQ Offices, where she oversees facilities, IT, customer experience, and logistics to deliver premium coworking, meeting, event, and virtual office solutions across Canada. She brings over a decade of experience building high-performing teams and systems, including senior operations roles at WE / WE Day leading large-scale event coordination and people operations. Carly holds a BA in International/Global Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Graduate Certificate in International Project Management from Humber College. She is known for her collaborative leadership and data-driven approach, and is based in Toronto.
Ken Crawford
Ken Crawford Consulting
Ken G. Crawford, D.Min., CFRE, is a leadership coach, consultant, HR Leader, interfaith spiritual director, and creator of the Synchronous Life System (SLS), a holistic framework for human flourishing across six domains: spiritual, physical, emotional, relational, intellectual, and occupational. With nearly 20 years of experience in nonprofit, business, and faith-based leadership, Ken has advised executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders on people development, organizational health, and workplace wellbeing. He is the founder of Synchronous Life LLC and consults widely with businesses, coworking spaces, and nonprofits on strategies for thriving in the new world of work.
Yann « shalf » Heurtaux
Coworking Canada
Yann “shalf” Heurtaux, born 1980 in Brittany and raised in Toulouse, France, started working with online gaming communities as a volunteer Community Coordinator (aka “Guild Officer”) in the late 90’s, and first tasted the waters of the Web industry and the coworking movement in Brussels, Belgium, in 2011. He helped open the 2nd coworking space in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2013, then focused on Hackuarium, a biohacking community, BSL-1 registered biology lab. Other relevant communities since include: opendataCH, Coworking Switzerland, European Coworking Association, Kargobike, La France Insoumise.
Serena Quaglia
Wellnutcake Inc.
With an MA in cultural studies, Serena seamlessly bridges data, strategy, and the human experience to help organizations prosper. Prior to founding Wellnutcake, Serena led high-impact initiatives across preconstruction, infrastructure, mixed-use, and global assets. She authored the go-to-market strategy for one of North America’s largest LEED-registered, mixed-use communities—a $3B, 243-acre site—and generated over $1 billion in sales across diverse asset classes. Throughout her career, she has served premier brands including the MGM Grand Las Vegas, NYK Japan, and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. Today her focus is conceiving and implementing wellness innovations and ESG outcomes alongside impactful work in strategic positioning for clients in the land, real estate development and economic development sectors.
Thilo Utke
Cobot Coworking Software
Thilo Utke co-founded Cobot in 2010. It was the first software made specifically for coworking spaces, and he has run it as CEO ever since, funded entirely by its customers. Cobot first took off in North America before German spaces adopted it widely too. For twelve years, Thilo and his co-founder Alex also ran co.up, one of Berlin’s early coworking spaces, day to day. That’s where they met Kristina, who became Cobot’s third co-founder. The team still works out of an independent, operator-owned coworking space in Berlin. Thilo owes his love of coffee to his first coworkers.
and You!
coworking enthusiasts
The Unconference is designed for participation – we all have something valuable to contribute! Bring your ideas, your experience, and your unique expertise to share, as we will be learning with – and from – each other.
Want to join us? Register now.
Scholarships are also available.
Yann « shalf » Heurtaux
Coworking Canada
Yann “shalf” Heurtaux, born 1980 in Brittany and raised in Toulouse, France, started working with online gaming communities as a volunteer Community Coordinator (aka “Guild Officer”) in the late 90’s, and first tasted the waters of the Web industry and the coworking movement in Brussels, Belgium, in 2011. He helped open the 2nd coworking space in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2013, then focused on Hackuarium, a biohacking community, BSL-1 registered biology lab. Other relevant communities since include: opendataCH, Coworking Switzerland, European Coworking Association, Kargobike, La France Insoumise.
Serena Quaglia
Wellnutcake Inc.
With an MA in cultural studies, Serena seamlessly bridges data, strategy, and the human experience to help organizations prosper. Prior to founding Wellnutcake, Serena led high-impact initiatives across preconstruction, infrastructure, mixed-use, and global assets. She authored the go-to-market strategy for one of North America’s largest LEED-registered, mixed-use communities—a $3B, 243-acre site—and generated over $1 billion in sales across diverse asset classes. Throughout her career, she has served premier brands including the MGM Grand Las Vegas, NYK Japan, and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. Today her focus is conceiving and implementing wellness innovations and ESG outcomes alongside impactful work in strategic positioning for clients in the land, real estate development and economic development sectors.
TICKETS
What do our past participants say?
FAQ
Questions?
Please read the FAQ section to get the most out of your Coworking Canada experience. Still have questions?
CONTACT US
A: Yes! This Unconference is produced by Coworking Canada and we encourage participants from across Turtle Island (North America) and around the world to participate.
The event is meant to connect collaborative people from all regions and nations. All are welcome!
A: Our 2026 Coworking Canada Events will be hosted in English.
We welcome French speakers, and we encourage some of the breakout sessions on Day Two, and some of the Tours on Day Three to be bilingual, and/or hosted in French.
PLEASE NOTE: Montreal is very easy to visit if you only speak English, featuring widespread bilingualism in tourist areas, English-friendly hospitality, and bilingual public signs.
Most workers in hotels, shops, and restaurants switch easily to English when they hear an English speaker.
A: There is no official hotel block for Coworking Canada.
We suggest you stay in Downtown Montréal, or the Old Port, with easy access to both our Day One and Day Two locations.
Downtown
From skyscrapers to beautiful Victorian houses and chic boutiques to neo-Gothic churches, downtown Montréal is an exciting study in contrasts.
Tucked between the St. Lawrence River and the mountain (Mount Royal), downtown moves to the beat of the many different communities that live here. The “centre-ville” is where people come to work, study, shop, dance, catch a movie, have dinner or drinks, or simply stroll leisurely.
Old Montréal & The Old Port
For over 400 years, this historic city quarter has been reinventing itself, and is home to the city’s oldest and newest tourist attractions. Immerse yourself in the history of every Old Montréal street corner. Its cobblestone streets are dotted with historic buildings that are home to art galleries, museums, artisan ateliers, fashion boutiques, restaurants and cafés.
In the Old Port, you can enjoy recreational activities along the promenade and soak up panoramic views of the city and the St. Lawrence River all year long.
A: The best airport to arrive and depart from is Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL).
A: Yes!
Central Station
895 De La Gauchetière Street West
Station de métro Bonaventure
Central Station links Montréal to over 450 Canadian towns and to many American destinations.
VIA Rail Canada
The Canadian intercity rail transporter. VIA Rail brings you directly to downtown Montréal.
A: There are many ways to get around Montréal!
Choose the best option for you:
Montréal-Trudeau/ Downtown shuttle
747 YUL Aéroport
Featuring 24-hour service, 365 days a year. One-stop route, terminus at Lionel- Groulx metro station, or downtown route including 11 stops in each direction, terminus at the corner of Berri Street and René-Lévesque Boulevard West.
Taxis
Taxelco
Véco Taxi
Uber
Bike Share
BIXI Montréal
Offered year-round, this service enables citizens and tourists to borrow a bike from one station and re-dock the bike at another station close to their destination (1,000 stations, providing 12,600 bikes including 2,600 electric bikes).
Public Transit
Société de transport de Montréal (STM)
From the underground city to the top of Mount Royal, from the Old Port to the Olympic Stadium – the bus and metro have got you covered day and night, anywhere in Montréal. The STM offers tourists a variety of transit passes valid for one day, three days, or an evening.
Réseau express métropolitain (REM)
Operating 20 hours a day, 7 days a week, the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) is a fully electric and automated light rail transit system. This allows passengers to enjoy a unique view from the front or back of the train, particularly when crossing the Samuel De Champlain Bridge, which offers a breathtaking view of Montréal’s skyline.
A: Yes. We introduced the Scholarship Fund back in 2015, and we have been committed to making Coworking Canada affordable and accessible ever since.
Thanks to generous support from our Sponsors and Partners, we are able to offer some complimentary tickets to the Coworking Canada Unconference each year.
If the cost of admission is preventing you from participating, we invite you to apply for a Coworking Canada Scholarship. You do not need to be a member to apply – all are welcome!
COMPLETE THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION HERE.
Coworking Canada members are provided with discount codes to significantly reduce (or eliminate) the cost of admission. Ask your Coworking Collective for more details!
A: We are always seeking value-aligned Sponsors, Partners, Members, and Co-Creators!
Interested in Sponsoring Coworking Canada?
Please contact: Ashley Proctor
Interested in contributing to our Scholarship Fund? We introduced the Scholarship Fund back in 2015, and we have been committed to making Coworking Canada affordable and accessible ever since. Please Contact Us for more details on supporting access for all attendees.
Interested in Co-Creating a portion of the Coworking Canada Unconference? It wouldn’t be coworking without the CO. We’d love to work with you! Please share your details here, and we will be in touch.
Interested in joining the Coworking Canada Collective? You can LEARN MORE HERE. Coworking Canada members receive one complimentary ticket to attend the annual Coworking Canada Unconference!
A: Yes! Many of our audience members live in remote regions, across a global landscape, and we know it is not always feasible, medically or financially possible, or even environmentally responsible for everyone to participate in Coworking Canada events in person.
For this reason, we document the majority of the Coworking Canada Unconference, and we make it available during the online event.
This is also a great opportunity to share your in-person learning with your members, partners, or other stakeholders after returning from the Unconference.
SAVE THE DATE: November 18, 2026
This year, the ONLINE EDITION will take place on November 18, 2026. Stay tuned for tickets and more information!
Our 2026 Sponsors & Partners
It takes a dedicated team of value-aligned sponsors, partners, collaborators, hosts, & volunteers to keep the coworking movement thriving, and to make our annual Unconference possible.
Thank you for all you do to support Coworking in Canada ♥
Contact Us
Still have questions? We'd love to hear from you!
Our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation across ‘Canada’
As we come together in person for the Coworking Canada Unconference, we acknowledge that we are gathering in Tiohtià:ke (Montréal), on the traditional and unceded territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) Nation. Tiohtià:ke has long been a place of gathering, exchange, and relationship-building for many Indigenous Nations. It continues to be an important gathering place for Indigenous peoples and remains a vibrant home for many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. We offer our gratitude for the opportunity to gather on this land and recognize the enduring relationships, histories, and contributions of Indigenous peoples—past, present, and future.
As an organization that cares deeply about place, community, and our shared futures, we recognize that our work in coworking, placemaking, and economic development exists within the broader context of colonial histories and present-day realities. True collaboration requires that we not only acknowledge the land, but also the responsibilities that come with living and working upon it.
Let this gathering be an opportunity to listen, learn, and act, to honour Indigenous leadership, protect the land and water, and co-create systems rooted in care, reciprocity, and justice. As we reimagine the future of work and community, may we do so in ways that reflect respect for Indigenous sovereignty, knowledge, and land stewardship.
Our work together supports meaningful paths toward reconciliation, accessibility, and equity.
Our Event Code of Conduct
Our Privacy Policy
Coworking Canada, 3 Borden Street #301, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 2M8