Events, Meetings and Millennials
Guide
Designing Events that Speak to the Millennial Workforce
Millennials make up the largest group in the workforce, so it’s important to plan meetings and events that appeal to them.
Their influence is undeniable, and the events industry is no exception.
Forget using an outdated meeting room and generic presentations.
Today’s events need to resonate with a generation that prioritizes experiences, connection, and purpose.
In this article, our event agency will discuss how to create events and meetings Millennials will love.
Beyond Engagement: Unveiling Millennial Values
Engagement is just the beginning. To truly capture Millennial attention (especially during meetings), design events that go deeper. Build your events from the key values that matter most to them in order to relate and connect. Here are some key values Millennials focus on: authenticity, sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation and how they work into events.
Authenticity
Millennials crave genuine experiences. They appreciate transparency from companies and organizations and want to be heard and seen in return. Try these tips for incorporating authenticity into your meetings and events:
How to Incorporate Authenticity into Your Meetings & Events
- Focus on Mission (Plan with Core Values in Mind)
- Embrace Vulnerability (Open Q&A Sessions)
- Highlight Multiple Perspectives (Book Diverse Guest Speakers)
- Design for Connection (Spaces and Time for Conversations)
- Encourage Open Communication (Be Open to Feedback, Use Surveys)
Sustainability
To be truly authentic, your business should prioritize sustainability in corporate events as well. Be sure to include these elements in your planning AND production of your event.
How to Incorporate Sustainability into Your Meetings & Events
- Ditch Single-Use (Use Reusable or Rent – in everything from catering to decor)
- Eco-Friendly Venue or Meeting Space
- Go Digital (Build an App, Communicate via email/text, QR codes, Hashtags)
- Travel Smart (Offer Shuttles, Facilitate Group Travel)
- Seasonal, Local Catering (Source Local, Seasonal Menus)
- Recycle & Compost Whenever Possible
- Sustainable Swag and/or Event Activations with Purpose
Innovation
Millennials are a generation known for their entrepreneurial spirit and interest in innovation. And, again, if your core values as a business is innovation, you’ll want to make that a forefront element of your event planning.
Millennials are also lifelong learners and crave new, deeper experiences (as noted above). Therefore, keep them engaged with educational experiences. Here’s a few ideas.
How to Incorporate Innovation into Your Meetings & Events
- Change the Format (Switch Lectures for Hands-On Workshops & Masterclasses)
- Sessions with CLEAR Takeaways of Value to Them (what will they get from attending?)
- Reimagine Classic Event Elements (Catering that Also Entertains, Decor that Also Educates, Activations that Have Real Purpose)
- Add Technology (Extended Reality, Incorporating Smart Phones, Apps – Drive More Interaction with Technology)
- Unusual Venues and Attractions (Think Outside the Box)
- Add a Surprise Element or a Golden Egg
Inclusivity
Everyone wants to feel included, not just Millennials. But with over HALF of American Millennials saying they value a diverse and inclusive workplace, it is certainly on the forefront of their minds. They want to know that your company also values every human (and not just their bottom line). Show it by incorporating inclusivity into your events.
It does not just stop at the venue’s handicap accessibility. There are a number of growing innovative resources like Aira, that are normalizing accessibility for the visually impaired. Don’t forget to also consider language (such as interpreter services and proper use of pronouns) as well as food and beverage options for those with limitations.
Ensure both your location AND your message is an accessible experience for everyone.
How to Incorporate Inclusivity into Your Meetings & Events
- Diversify Your Planning Committee (Most impactful option)
- Ask about Dietary Preferences (Use your Digital RSVP to Gather Preferences)
- Create Events with Purpose (Incorporate or Plan Around Social Causes)
- Speak Their Language (Use RSVP Data for Proper Pronouns, Use Interpretation Services)
- Accessible Locations & Material (Consider Accessibility for Everyone – Not Just the Majority)
The Bottom Dollar Tip: Financial Value
While everyone considers their bottom line, cost-consciousness is a reality for Millennials. Studies show student loan debt burdens Millennials and they are more likely to be cost-conscious.
Asking any employee to pay part of all of the event (especially employee appreciation events such as company holiday parties or summer picnics is a particularly hot button – they make their views on this on places like Reddit).
When planning your Millennial meetings and events, consider making them all-inclusive. One way to do this is to host it during a workday, with transportation and catering included for the day. Another way is to highlight why it matters to them (i.e. career advancement) and what they get from it (i.e. event highlights, value added).
- All-Inclusive
- Why It Matters to Them
- What They Get
Design Elements for the Millennial Mindscape with Examples
The physical space plays a critical role in capturing Millennial attention. Here’s how Event Solutions designs an event space that speaks their language.
Multifunctional and Flexible Spaces:
Moveable walls and furniture create areas for workshops, networking, presentations, and relaxation. Modular furniture arrangements, retractable projector screens, and open floor plans with designated zones offer ultimate versatility.
Example from Case Study:
Weber Metals chose our event agency to plan and produce their grand unveiling for their massive new 60K ton press. The event span over several days and included a day just for local students as well as logistics for transportation for VIP senators, ambassadors, and CEOs of partner companies.
The two story press was unveiled at their location via 40×40 foot seamless LED displays placed on a track designed to part on cue. Pipe and drape with special blackout fabric transformed the space and helped focus attention to the stage and screen. See the unveiling that won production awards below:
Technology Integration & Social Sharing:
Seamless access to Wi-Fi, charging stations, and interactive displays are a must for meeting spaces. Ample outlets, built-in USB ports in furniture, and interactive touchscreens for agenda access and feedback enhance the experience and improve networking opportunities.
Visually appealing spaces with unique features and backdrops encourage social media sharing. Themed photo booths, artistic event installations, and interactive art walls provide opportunities for attendees to capture and share their experience. Millennials are likely to share their experiences on social media platforms, so creating opportunities for this is a plus.
Example from Case Study:
XOS Trucks is a company that values sustainability and is looking to change the world, one eclectic truck at a time. With such advancements in technology at the forefront of their business, when it came time for their product launch and activation event in Los Angeles, we ensured to include plenty of technology and brand launch ideas of our own to speak to both the Millennials and baby boomers attending (both virtually and in person).
The event included plenty of hashtags for social media sharing during happy hour, live streaming of the presentation as well as an app station (to try out their new app) and, the glittering new tech of XR (extended reality) to tour the inside of their closed state-of-the-art patented engine. This event also included plenty of branded event swag and a 3D holographic entrance to embrace the innovation of technology.
Biophilic Design & Comfort for Collaboration::
We incorporate natural elements like plants, natural light, and sustainable materials to promote well-being. Living walls, skylights, courtyards with greenery, and the use of recycled materials create a calming and inspiring atmosphere. A mix of comfortable seating options caters to different needs. High-top tables for collaboration, ergonomic chairs for workshops, and lounge areas with beanbags and couches create a welcoming environment that fosters interaction.
Example from Case Study :
A multi-award winning conference in San Francisco, NEOM’s gala and meeting brought together all the beauty of nature with the best of technology. Interactive with an innovative design the meeting and event was designed to inspire creativity to consider the future of water in ways never imagined possible. Thousands of living plants mixed with thousands of feet of interactive production just on the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
Guests entered through a LED tunnel depicting water and nature in its many forms into a lobby with a living, human water fountain. From there they took steps into the future through a 3d holographic water vapor entrance into a breathtaking room lined with a 220 ft projection screen displaying water and life.
Crystal chandeliers glittered in the blue wash lighting immersing the guests. Event activations such as Brine for Your Bath and Water from Around the World ignited the senses while collaboration happened in the comfort of the various micro environments. See the event recap below:
The Millennial Experience: Redefining Events
Creating an event that speaks to Millennials goes beyond the agenda. Here’s how Event Solutions leverages technology and design to craft truly immersive experiences:
- Technology and Personalization: We seamlessly integrate technology. Interactive apps, gamification elements, and AI-powered networking tools become the norm, boosting engagement. Millennials are a tech-savvy generation and expect events to incorporate digital tools.
- Immersive and Experiential Events: Lectures are a thing of the past. We incorporate interactive product demos using VR/AR, pop-up events, or themed experiences to create lasting memories. Millennials value experiences over traditional formats and prefer events that are unique and memorable.
- Wellness and Work-Life Balance: Well-being is a priority. We provide healthy food options, designated relaxation areas, and flexible scheduling options that respect personal time. Incorporating wellness into your company culture, events and all, makes the experience more fulfilling, even outside of corporate health retreats. Work-life balance is another important factor for Millennials who prefer shorter meetings and flexible scheduling options.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Reflecting a variety of perspectives and backgrounds is essential. We feature diverse speaker panels and workshops that address unconscious bias to create an inclusive environment as well as normalize accessibility features. Millennials value diversity and inclusion and expect events to reflect these values.
- Custom Fabrication: Our team of expert custom event fabricators can transform your vision into a reality. We utilize state-of-the-art technology and sustainable materials to create unique, interactive elements that resonate with Millennials. Think custom signage, product displays, or even large-scale environmental features that align with your brand message and cater to their desire for immersive experiences.
- Millennial-Friendly Branding: We understand the importance of authenticity and social shareability for this generation. Our creative team will develop a cohesive brand experience that reflects your brand values and leverages visually appealing elements. This might include incorporating social media-friendly backdrops, interactive installations with your brand messaging, or even gamified experiences that encourage brand engagement and content creation.
Conclusion
By understanding Millennial values and preferences, Event Solutions designs spaces and experiences that resonate deeply. This new generation is shaping the future of events, and we’re here to help you embrace this shift and thrive. As technology continues to evolve and social consciousness grows, event spaces will undoubtedly continue to adapt to meet the ever-changing needs of the Millennial generation’s professional development.
With growing virtual/hybrid networking events, face-to-face person events and Millennial attendees wanting more personal connections our approach to corporate event planning has adapted. We’ve surveyed with live polling and adjusted with each and every event. Put our knowledge to work for you with full-service planning and production designed to meet your needs. Fill out the form below to get started.
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