> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://londoncoworkingassembly.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Real Reason People Don’t Show Up How to Run Events in Your Coworking Space That Work - URL: https://londoncoworkingassembly.com/the-real-reason-people-dont-show/ - Published: 2025-04-10T06:49:29.000Z - Updated: 2025-04-10T06:49:29.000Z - Description: Tired of throwing events no one comes to? Emily and Bernie share a simple, ad-free system for getting the right people in the room—and keeping your community connected. - Author: Bernie J Mitchell - Tags: 🎙️Coworking Values Podcast, #Migrated-1775294871643, #Import 2026-04-04 09:38 The Real Reason People Don’t Show Up How to Run Events in Your Coworking Space That Work 0:00 /200 1× ### **Episode Summary** Bernie and Emily are back together in this episode to tackle a familiar headache: running events in your coworking space that don’t just fill seats—but build something real. If you’ve ever posted a “networking night” with free drinks and been met with silence (or worse—randoms who ghost the next day), this one’s for you. Together, they walk through the first phase of their **European Coworking Day event series**, designed to help independent coworking operators run events with purpose—not gimmicks. You’ll learn the three-part framework they use to create momentum, attract the right people, and avoid burnout. You don’t need to run ads or invent a vibe—you need to understand *why* your event exists and *who it’s for*. This episode is the blueprint. Whether you're planning a lunch-and-learn, a member mixer, or a launch day for your space, this conversation will help you go from “hope they show up” to “can’t wait to be there.” --- ### **Timeline Highlights** \[0:19\] – Why European Coworking Day isn’t just about the day \[1:01\] – The real cost of skipping community for ads \[2:16\] – Events with a clear outcome beat free food every time \[3:35\] – Understanding what makes people *actually* show up \[6:33\] – Yoga, beer, and court cases: a story of values in action \[8:28\] – Start promo with your inner circle, not your newsletter \[10:29\] – '90s rave posters and standing out on LinkedIn \[13:25\] – Personalised invites > Slack dumps \[14:44\] – The 30% rule of attendance (and how to plan for it) \[16:03\] – Why reminders aren’t annoying—they’re respect \[18:56\] – Connecting before converting: why it’s the only way \[21:05\] – Community Builders Cohort and the 12-week rhythm --- ### **Event Strategy That Works** Bernie and Emily unpack how most event struggles come from missing one key thing: a **clear outcome**. People don’t show up for vague vibes. They come for a purpose—like “find a project partner over coffee” or “meet other freelancers who live nearby.” Without that, even free pizza won’t save you. --- ### **The Gimmick Trap (And Why You Should Avoid It)** Not all “community” is created equal. Bernie shares the fallout of a corporate coworking space that sold yoga and beer but lost the trust of its members during COVID-19. Meanwhile, local spaces survived—because people chose community over contracts. If your space vanished tomorrow, would anyone fight to keep it going? --- ### **Promotion Without Burnout** Forget blast emails and generic LinkedIn posts. This episode explains how to make event promotion a daily ritual—like texting your inner circle with a real invite, not a copy-paste. Think rhythm over rush. Bonus: the 90s rave poster trick and how to become unmistakable online. --- ### **Reminders = Respect** People are busy. They forget. Reminding them isn’t pushy—it’s helpful. The duo discusses their promo system using [**Luma**](https://lu.ma/LondonCoworkingAssembly?ref=londoncoworkingassembly.com) and why sending “still coming?” emails might be the most respectful thing you do all week. --- ### **From Connection to Commitment** Want to sell desks? Start with the connection. Emily and Bernie make it clear that people join coworking spaces because they *feel* something, not because of the amenities list. Host better events. Tell better stories. Build real community. That’s the strategy. --- ### **Links & Resources** - [Running Events In Your Coworking Space](https://lu.ma/LondonCoworkingAssembly?ref=londoncoworkingassembly.com) - [Register for European Coworking Day, May 2025](https://coworkingday.eu/?ref=londoncoworkingassembly.com) - [Coworking Values Podcast on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/coworking-values-podcast/?ref=londoncoworkingassembly.com) - [Join The Coworking Community Builder Cohort](https://thirdplaceworks.com/community-builder-cohorts/?ref=londoncoworkingassembly.com) - [Join the 8k Members in the LinkedIn Coworking Group](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/33807/?ref=londoncoworkingassembly.com) - [Connect with Bernie on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/berniejmitchell/?ref=londoncoworkingassembly.com) - [Connect with Emily on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilygbreder/?ref=londoncoworkingassembly.com)