Convene Is Counting on Hybrid Meetings Sticking Around to Fuel Its Recovery
Photo Credit: Convene offers production support for virtual and hybrid meetings. Convene
Skift Take
Convene CEO Ryan Simonetti thinks his new digital venture could morph into a $100 million-a-year business. His competitors may have something to say about that.
It’s not been an easy ride for meeting space provider Convene. With its mix of city center locations and hotel-style venues, it continues to be severely exposed to coronavirus.
There was some relief for its venues that offered co-working spaces, but the pandemic hit hard and the New-York based company laid off or furloughed 75 to 80 percent of its 850 staff in 2020.
Most of its locations across the U.S. remain closed. It was also gearing up for an initial public offering.
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It couldn’t have been worse, really. “We were high-flying,” said CEO and co-founder Ryan Simonetti. But nearly four months into a new year, Convene is reinventing itself for a digital future. The company launched a virtual and hybrid conferencing platform in June last year and it’s got Simonetti thinking there’s a way out. “We’re really excited about the digital side of our business.
