As any event production company knows, the only constant in business is change. After much exciting effort, the events industry has morphed since 2020, but that doesn't mean it's done changing! As the millennial generation continues to move up in the workforce, Gen-Zers are taking their place. With the two generations working together, they are changing the landscape of business in 2022. According to research, Millennials in the United States comprise 72 million people and Gen-Zers make up 67 million, a total of about 45% of the United States population, each with hundreds of billions of dollars of purchasing power. If you’d like to target an audience that is younger than 40, or even younger than 26 for your next meeting or gathering, keep reading to find out how to inspire and keep them engaged throughout any type of event experience. 

• Keep it high energy!

No one likes to sit through boring presentations, especially Millennials and Gen-Zers who grew up with constant sensory stimulation. These two generations are likely to get bored and tune out a speaker standing in between a podium and a bland PowerPoint presentation, or even worse, sitting at home while reading off the same PowerPoint screen only on their own computer. Don’t stare at your notes or read off a screen — be conversational and engaging! These generations need to feel your high energy and engagement. Remember, they want to be a part of something. Prepare ahead of time sufficiently so that you have memorized the information you want to share, but not word for word. Practice your presentation in front of trusted colleagues and friends. Include visuals, music, and humor. Ask members of your audience questions, and encourage them to ask you questions in return! Even if your event is virtual, allow audiences to engage in the chat box, in breakout rooms, or in a live Q&A. Invite other speakers or panelists to join you and contribute their expertise to your presentation.

• Let them in

This may be shocking information, but research shows that Millennials and Gen-Z’ers actually prefer interpersonal collaboration techniques more than any other method, and that includes technology. In business, both generations see collaboration as extremely important and vital to success. They don’t want to be audience members of a lecture. They want to be participants in an experience. Get creative with how you bring your audience into your presentation, especially if they’re attending your event virtually. Ensure that their participation adds value and contributes substance and purpose.

• Practice what you preach

These two generations put so much important emphasis on “keeping it real” and being purposeful within your business. If your presentation includes the importance of reducing your business’s energy costs and minimizing its carbon footprint, they’ll do their research and see if your values find their way into your business practices. Are you claiming your company stands for diversity and inclusion, but not following through in your hiring practices or social media posts? They’ll sniff right through it. Highlight your company’s mission and stick to it. Making deliberate decisions is key when engaging, inspiring, and earning the trust of these young audiences. To avoid any embarrassing inconsistencies, Making sure to include Millennials and Gen-Zers on your team throughout the planning process can avoid any embarrassing inconsistencies. Earn their trust by encouraging them to collaborate and bring problematic behavior to your attention.

• Customize the experience

A generic and simple event is not likely to inspire and engage millennial audiences with diverse experiences and interests. For a larger audience (especially on a digital platform), a custom “choose your own track” option is likely to be a much more well received and exciting experience. If you are not sure what your young audience’s interests are, ask them! A pre-survey is a great way to find out what your audience wants while you plan your event. If you plan to host a similar event in the future, audience feedback is an incredibly valuable tool. Ask your audience to submit an easy online feedback right at the end of your presentation or event, so you can plan your next virtual or in-person gathering with the help of their positive impressions and constructive criticism. It is the job of the event production companies to create an experience that is unforgettable and keeps their audiences engaged throughout. Think outside of the box and see how creative and customizable you can make it for your youthful audience.  

Follow our tips if you’re preparing for an upcoming meeting or presentation that will include Millennial and Gen-Z audiences. The absolute best way to plan a business event that will appeal to any generation is with the help of an experienced event production company. The team of experts at Wizard Studios will ensure that your event is perfect for your audience’s generation. Contact us today to get started!