As an event organizer, you want to plan lively events that bring together people of varying interests, ages, and backgrounds. To maximize attendance, you need to understand what appeals to different generations—including millennials and Gen Zers, who expect you to be at the forefront of the latest event trends and best practices.
In this guide, we’ll walk through event planning tips that will help you connect with and engage younger audiences. Whether you’re hosting a major conference or a casual networking event, implement these approaches to ensure success with the newest generations of attendees.
To captivate younger generations, you need to make technology and social media integral parts of your event. Start by using event apps that provide schedules, notifications, and networking opportunities that attendees can access directly on their smartphones. These apps can enhance the overall event experience with personalized agendas, real-time updates, and interactive maps.
Additionally, social media is crucial for building excitement and maintaining event engagement. Use platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn to share updates, post behind-the-scenes content, and interact with your audience in real time. Consider the following strategies:
Finally, incorporate interactive features like live polls and feedback mechanisms to keep attendees involved and make them feel heard during the event.
Many young professionals attend events because they want to build meaningful connections and learn new skills to advance their careers. Make your event a hub for professional growth by focusing on education and skill development. For example, consider offering some of these diverse learning experiences:
By prioritizing professional development, you're not just hosting an event—you're providing a launchpad for career growth. This approach will attract and retain younger attendees, ensuring they see your event as an essential step in their professional journey.
Networking is vital for younger professionals seeking to build connections and advance their careers. Facilitate this by incorporating engaging options like:
Encourage participants to use these resources for one-on-one meetings or small group discussions. By offering diverse networking opportunities, you create an environment that supports relationship-building and professional growth.
To cater to younger generations, embrace a hybrid approach that combines in-person and virtual event experiences. This strategy allows you to reach a wider audience and accommodate diverse preferences or needs.
Create a seamless hybrid event by:
Don't forget about on-demand content. Record sessions and make them available for later viewing, giving attendees the freedom to engage with your event at their convenience. This flexibility is especially appealing to busy young professionals who value access to content on their own schedules.
Compared with older generations, millennials and Gen Zers are much more concerned about the environment and climate change. To address their priorities, make sustainability a key focus in your event planning.
Common event sustainability practices you can take include:
Highlight your sustainability initiatives in your marketing materials and other communications. Encourage participants to join in these eco-friendly practices, making sustainability a collaborative effort that enhances the overall event experience.
Integrating video elements throughout your event can significantly boost engagement among younger generations. Here are key types of videos you can create for your event:
By incorporating these video types, you can make your event more dynamic, engaging, and accessible to younger attendees.
Add game-like elements to your event to enhance excitement and participation, especially for younger attendees. Consider these gamification strategies:
Display a leaderboard in common areas and event apps, and offer rewards for top performers. This visibility motivates attendees to participate more actively and encourages them to explore your event. By leveraging gamification, you can turn your event into a memorable, enjoyable experience that resonates with the playful spirit of younger generations while promoting learning and networking.
Ensure diverse representation among speakers, panelists, and session leaders to enrich your content and resonate with attendees across younger generations.
Additionally, create an inclusive environment by addressing accessibility needs. Offer services like sign language interpretation and provide materials in multiple formats. Foster open dialogue by setting clear behavioral expectations and training staff on inclusivity.
Don't forget dietary considerations—offer a variety of food options to accommodate different restrictions and preferences.
By prioritizing diversity and inclusion, you’ll be able to appeal to younger attendees and create a more engaging event that resonates with a wide range of participants.
Actively seek and act on attendee feedback to plan more events that resonate with younger generations. During and after your event, use your event tools to gather input through:
Encourage honest, constructive feedback by ensuring anonymity and emphasizing the importance of attendee input in shaping future events. Analyze responses to identify common themes and areas for improvement.
Be transparent about how feedback influences your decisions and the specific changes you implement. This feedback loop demonstrates that you value attendees' opinions, builds trust, and shows your commitment to providing the best possible experience. By focusing on continuous improvement, you ensure your events evolve to meet the changing needs and expectations of younger audiences.
Appealing to younger generations is essential for the success of modern events. By implementing the strategies discussed in this article, you can create experiences that resonate with millennials and Gen Z attendees.
By adapting your approach to meet their preferences and values, you'll not only attract more of these attendees but also foster their loyalty and engagement. Keep in mind that these generations appreciate authenticity, interactivity, and events that align with their personal and professional goals.
Daria Knupp, CEM, has over [insert year here] years of professional experience in the association world handling content creation and digital marketing. Now, she applies her expertise to the events industry as the Senior Content Marketing Manager at A2Z Events by Personify.
