Growth of mobile, distributed, and home-based workforces reflected in expanded industry scope

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Office Business Center Association International (OBCAI) – the leading trade association representing workspace operators – is changing its name to Global Workspace Association (GWA). The name change reflects how the Association's most progressive members are creating innovative workspace services to address changes in the workforce. Office business center operators and workspace providers are not only offering spaces that cater to the traditional physical office space client, but to a growing number of professionals that require highly sought-after virtual office services or collaborative and innovative meeting and working solutions. These workspace changes are underscored by the following trends:

• Mobile Workers are a Huge Market - Technology forecasting firm International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates that there are over 1 billion mobile workers around the world today and expects this figure to grow to 1.3 billion by the end of 2013.
• Mobile Workers are Gaining Share - More than 70% of the United States workforce is mobile today and the figure will exceed 75% in 2013. While the percentage of mobile workers is lower in the rest of the world, the rate of increase is faster than the United States.
• Workspace Growth is Increasingly from Products Targeted at Mobile Workers - GWA's 2011 Industry Financial Study reports that industry revenues from services targeted at mobile workers, such as virtual office and meeting room services, almost doubled between 2007 and 2010.
• Young Workers will Accelerate Workspace Changes – Cisco's 2011 "Cisco Connected World Technology Report" reveals that almost 30% of college students and young professionals "feel that once they begin working, it will be their right—more than a privilege—to be able to work remotely with a flexible schedule."
• Workspaces are Increasingly Being Tailored to Mobile and Collaborative Workers – According to the 2011 GWA Financial Study, almost one-third of the workspace industry now provides some type of collaborative, shared, or co-working spaces aimed at mobile workers, and the deskmag.com "Coworker's Profile 2011" reports that the number of dedicated co-working facilities worldwide doubled in 2010.

Kathlene Buchanan, President and Founder of Metro Offices serving DC, Maryland and Virginia stated, "Metro Offices has long considered itself a provider of workspace solutions.  It's not about brick and mortar offices anymore."

Jeremy Neuner, CEO of NextSpace Coworking + Innovation, Inc. with locations in Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, San Francisco and San Jose, Calif., pointed out, "The workplace is evolving incredibly fast.  OBCAI's decision to rebrand as GWA shows that the organization is ready to evolve to meet the needs of their members and is ready to lead the charge in the serviced office industry. I'm honored that GWA has broadened its tent to include companies like mine.  We look forward to working with our fellow members to accelerate the shifts in how and where people work."

"We believe this name change reflects the industry today and in the future," said John Jordan, President of GWA. "The workforce is more agile and nimble than ever before and demands a flexible workspace solution. We will continue to be a resource to our members as they provide innovative services to meet virtual and mobile office needs."

For more information about GWA, visit: www.globalworkspace.org or contact Richard Meyers, GWA Executive Director, at 949.260.9023 or at rmeyers@globalworkspace.org

For More Information, Contact:
Robyn Axner-Davis 610.977.2099 or
robyn@furmancommunications.com

SOURCE Global Workspace Association (GWA)

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http://www.globalworkspace.org