Our day began with a visit to The Oaklander Hotel, a beautiful and modern hotel in Pittsburgh. We had the valuable opportunity to meet with Theresa Murdoch, who is the Director of Human Resources at the hotel. During our meeting, we had an interesting discussion about the many different types of jobs available within the service industry, especially those on the corporate side of things in a large hotel. One of the key topics we covered was how a busy hotel like The Oaklander handles a sudden rush of guests. We talked about how they prepare for and manage the large influx of customers that come with big events, like major conventions or large sporting events happening in the city. Theresa also shared important information about the significant challenges the hotel industry faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was fascinating to hear about the specific issues they encountered during that time and, more importantly, the creative and determined ways they worked to overcome those difficulties and continue providing excellent service. After our visit to The Oaklander, our group traveled to Lawrenceville for another fascinating meeting. We had the pleasure of sitting down with the owner of Field Day, a local co-working space that immediately caught my interest. This meeting was particularly important to me because working with a co-working space is one of the main projects our team is focused on in Carrigart. Throughout our discussion, the owner shared incredibly valuable insights into what it’s truly like to own and operate a co-working space. His perspective will be crucial for our research as we work to understand how to build a vibrant and strong community around such a space. A major point he emphasized was the power of face-to-face interactions. He explained that having employees directly engage with clients helps create a deeper sense of connection and belonging for everyone involved. He also detailed the various benefits and perks his business provides to its monthly subscribers, which range from access to different types of workspaces to community events and amenities designed to foster collaboration and a productive atmosphere. It was clear that his approach prioritized not just providing desks, but cultivating a supportive environment where individuals and businesses can thrive.