How a small southern city used a few well-placed pods to inspire a new model for meetings spaces
In the world of economic development, winning over a major global tech company is no small feat. But for the Gadsden-Etowah County Industrial Development Authority (IDA), success didn’t start with site selectors or tax incentives—it started with creating the right kind of space for ideas to flourish.
From Idle Square Footage to Economic Fuel
At the heart of this transformation is Venue2, a 7,000-square-foot space tucked inside The Venue at Coosa Landing, Gadsden, Alabama’s premier events complex. Once an underused area, the reimagined Venue2 now serves as a high-energy hub for coworking, networking, and entrepreneurial momentum—built with an eye toward modern needs, flexible working styles, and a little help from three cozy, colorful Nook pods.
The IDA team, led by executive director David Hooks, envisioned a shared workspace that wasn’t just functional but aspirational—somewhere between a launchpad and a community living room. With eight private offices, five dedicated desks, and room for about 20 people in the open coworking area, the space is designed to flex as professionals come and go.
Pod People Welcome
But what really sets it apart for event planners looking to elevate the experience of their attendees or rethink their breakout environments? The answer lies in the Nook Huddles—modular pods that seat two people, soften sound, and create a sense of focus in an otherwise open, buzzing space. The three pods, each in a different energetic hue—red, lime green, and bright blue—stand out as much for their look as for their function.
Inspired by a visit to The Forge, a coworking space in Birmingham, Hooks recognized that Nook pods could add a new dimension to Venue2. “We wanted something that allowed people to step away without leaving the room,” he explains. “Something that feels personal, without being isolating. Nook gave us that.”
Einstein, But Make It Upholstered
One pod even houses a vibrant portrait of Albert Einstein, a legacy piece from Hooks’ previous life running a university think tank. It’s more than decoration—it’s a signal to members and visitors alike: this is a place for original thought and unorthodox solutions.
That mindset has already paid off in a big way. The IDA recently helped secure a high-profile investment from Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC), a Seattle-based innovator in clean energy technology. After reviewing options in 16 states, USNC chose Gadsden as the home of its new MMR Assembly Plant. The project is expected to generate several hundred jobs—many in advanced manufacturing—and inject new momentum into the region’s economic future.
USNC’s Dan Stout singled out Hooks and the IDA team for their pivotal role in the process, praising their “guidance and efforts” in bringing the project to life. For Hooks, it’s all part of the same equation: create the conditions for innovation and collaboration, and the big wins will follow.
For meeting and event planners, Gadsden’s story offers a lesson in the power of intentional space design. Whether you’re organizing a corporate retreat, planning a regional conference, or rethinking how to activate underutilized square footage, Venue2 shows what’s possible when furniture, function, and vision align.
And for attendees? It means stepping into an environment that sparks ideas, supports focused conversations, and makes even a quick coffee meeting feel like the beginning of something bigger.
Any thoughts, opinions, or news? Please share them with me at vince@meetingsevents.com.
Photo by Nook
