Gen Z isn't here for boring conferences.
A recent survey of more than 50 Gen Z professionals showed that 61.4% lose interest in conference sessions that feel dull or irrelevant.
For event planners, that’s a wake-up call. This generation, raised on technology and instant access to information, expects conferences to be engaging and meaningful.
Are your events keeping up?
In this article, we’ll break down the four key things Gen Z attendees look for in a conference, along with six practical tips to make your events more dynamic.
What does Gen Z want from conferences?
If you want your Gen Z attendees to stay engaged, you need to understand what they look for in an event:
1. Real and personal content.
Your event attendees don’t want cookie-cutter presentations.
They want sessions that feel real, align with their values, and provide practical takeaways.
✅ Instead of generic industry panels, consider sessions featuring diverse speakers sharing real-world experiences, challenges, and success stories.
✅ 75.4% of Gen Z professionals prefer a mix of structured sessions and self-directed experiences, while 22.8% want to pick their own schedule entirely. Offering on-demand content or an open-session format can cater to these preferences.
✅ Fireside chats and panel discussions with audience interaction can make content feel more personal and engaging.
2. Interactive and fun sessions.
Gen Z learns best through participation. They prefer discussions, Q&A sessions, and hands-on activities over traditional lectures.
✅ 58% of Gen Z professionals prefer 30-45 minute interactive sessions, and only 7% are willing to sit through an hour-long talk, even if it’s interesting.
✅ Workshops, live polling, and gamified elements (like trivia challenges or breakout competitions) keep engagement high.
✅ Try a TED Talk-style format with short, high-impact presentations followed by breakout discussions.
3. Tech-friendly experiences.
Gen Z grew up with technology, so they expect it to be seamlessly integrated into corporate events.
✅ Mobile apps with personalized schedules, real-time networking, and interactive features make engagement easier.
✅ Social media integration, live-streaming, and digital Q&A boards let attendees participate in ways that feel natural to them.
✅ Immersive experiences like VR product demos, AR scavenger hunts, and AI-powered chatbots for real-time event support make the event feel cutting-edge.
Related: 6 interesting ways to incorporate AI into your next event.
4. Purpose-driven events.
Gen Z cares deeply about sustainability, social responsibility, and inclusivity.
They connect with brands and events that align with their values.
But what does this actually look like in practice?
✅ Sustainable event practices – Consider eco-friendly venues, digital event materials instead of printed ones, and partnerships with local, sustainable vendors.
✅ Give-back initiatives – Organize volunteer opportunities, donation drives, or “impact hours” where attendees can participate in hands-on community service.
✅ Diversity and inclusion – Feature diverse speakers and panelists, offer accessible event options, and create spaces for underrepresented voices.
✅ Cause-based experiences – Events that donate a portion of ticket sales to charity, highlight social impact stories, or feature nonprofit activations resonate strongly with Gen Z.
Related: 8 Corporate Social Responsibility Event Ideas For Your Conference.
How to make events more engaging for Gen Z.
To ensure your event doesn’t feel generic or outdated, try these six strategies to capture Gen Z’s attention and keep them engaged:
1. Ask attendees what they want before the event.
Don’t guess what your attendees want—ask them!
Run pre-event surveys to understand attendees’ interests, preferred session formats, and must-have experiences.
The more personalized the agenda, the more engaged they’ll be.
Here are some ways to do it:
- Use social media polls & Q&As – Instagram Stories, LinkedIn polls, and TikTok comment threads are great ways to gauge interest in topics, speaker styles, and session lengths.
- Offer a quick preference quiz – A short online quiz (via the event app or email) can help match attendees with the most relevant sessions.
- Address common concerns – 79% of Gen Z attendees worry about dress codes, so sending clear style guides in advance can reduce unnecessary stress.
Related: Pre-event survey questions: setting the stage for success.
2. Let attendees personalize their experience.
Gen Z values flexibility, so let them build their own schedule instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all agenda.
- Offer a mix of workshops, panels, networking sessions, and hands-on activities so attendees can choose what fits their learning style.
- Implement track-based registration – allow attendees to select a focus area (e.g., leadership, innovation, or marketing) and get a tailored session lineup.
- Provide on-demand content – Give access to recorded sessions so attendees can catch up on what they missed.
3. Make sessions interactive.
Gen Z wants to be part of the conversation.
Instead of long lectures, incorporate engagement-driven formats:
- Live polls & word clouds – Use tools like Slido or Mentimeter to get real-time input from the audience.
- Breakout discussions & case studies – Small group sessions encourage participation and networking.
- Gamification & competitions – Turn learning into an interactive experience with team-based challenges, trivia, or rewards for participation.
- Keep sessions short – 58% of Gen Z professionals prefer 30-45 minute interactive sessions, so structure your agenda around these timeframes.
4. Use technology to enhance the experience.
Want to keep Gen Z engaged at your event?
Tech helps enhance the event experience in ways that feel natural and interactive.
Here’s how to incorporate technology into your conference:
- Event apps – Provide real-time updates, personalized schedules, and interactive features like chatrooms and Q&A boards.
- VR & AR experiences – A VR scavenger hunt or AR-powered networking tool can make learning and connection-building more immersive.
- Social media integration – Create a Snapchat geofilter, a TikTok challenge, or a branded Instagram filter to encourage user-generated content.
- AI-powered chatbots – Offer real-time event assistance, personalized recommendations, or interactive FAQs.
5. Incorporate Social Causes.
Gen Z is passionate about social issues. 66% of Gen Z has volunteered, matching Baby Boomers and outpacing Millennials and Gen X.
To engage them, make corporate social responsibility part of the event experience.
Here’s how:
- Sustainability in action: Swap plastic badges for digital check-ins, provide reusable water bottles, or partner with eco-friendly vendors.
- Hands-on volunteering: Offer attendees the chance to participate in a service project, like assembling care packages or cleaning up a local park.
- Donation-based incentives: Instead of traditional swag, let attendees donate their giveaway budget to a charity of their choice.
- Purpose-driven partnerships: Team up with nonprofits or social enterprises that align with your event’s mission.
6. Make them feel comfortable.
Walking into a conference alone can feel intimidating—especially for first-time attendees.
60% of Gen Z professionals say a pre-event meet-and-greet would help them feel more at ease, so take steps to create a welcoming environment.
Ways to help:
- Pre-event networking: Host a virtual Q&A, Slack group, or casual happy hour before the event.
- Clear guidelines: Share FAQs, dress codes, and pro tips to reduce uncertainty.
- Event ambassadors: Pair first-time attendees with experienced mentors to guide them through the event.
- Casual lounge spaces: Create relaxed areas where attendees can recharge, chat, or take a break from the hustle.
When Gen Z feels comfortable and connected, they’re more likely to fully engage, network, and take value from your event.
Final thoughts.
Younger professionals are becoming a major force in business events.
ASM Global’s study shows that 42% of convention attendees are under 40, with 18% under 25—proof that Gen Z is showing up and paying attention.
And when they attend, the impact is significant. 71% of Gen Z attendees trust a brand more after interacting with it at an event. Well-planned experiences help build long-term loyalty.
To keep them engaged, conferences should personalize content, leverage technology, and incorporate social causes.
With Gen Z expected to make up 30% of the workforce by 2030, now is the time to adapt your events and stay ahead of the curve.
Ready to plan your next conference?
For more than 15 years, GoGather has delivered incredible corporate events that support your creative concept, organizational mission, and event goals.
Our team is made up of the industry's most seasoned event experts who have seen and done it all. Let’s chat about how we can help you plan your best event yet.
