27th January 2020
As a result, companies are having to place an ever-growing focus on ways to increase engagement with this generation and keep these workers happy and productive – this is where live events can be useful. Millennials have generally come to be defined by a set of characteristics formed by the world and culture they grew up in and therefore before you can look at ways to encourage them connect, the facts need to be understood.
It's a fact. Millennials are:
Often unfairly criticised, there's much that can be done to keep the fires lit for this generation of workers. Here are the top four must haves when looking to improve engagement for this audience with your events programs:
1) On-demand: They need the solution at the point of pain.
Millennials want the answer here and now, because it’s all they’ve ever really known - they don’t want to wait. At your events use tools that allow them access ‘knowledge’ instantly. This can be human or digital, but think of their experience and how they can opt in to gain this information. For example researching the right technology to add to your event can be a minefield as there are so many options in the marketplace, to name a few...mobile event app, welcome robot, digital information screens. Take qualified advice and stick to your objectives for the purpose.
If they’re connecting to a real life situation, it needs to be real; no fake green screens, no actor reading from a script. It needs to be localised and culturally relevant so they can see HOW they would apply it to their lives. Strip back the theatrics, bring the real story to life and make it ‘human’.
Read our Brighton Business Update case study here to see how one of our London clients brought their teams to the beach to bring the seaside to life.
Millennials have voices and they want to be heard. Create environments that allow them to freely debate/exchange and have a conversation. Eventbrite feature 11 examples of tools to help audience interaction here. Engaging event attendees is integral to holding their attention. It can also make a big difference to their satisfaction levels – if an attendee has been actively involved in the proceedings they’re far more likely to feel the event was worthwhile.
Read our global conference case study here to see how one of our clients shared the 'bigger picture' with their audience.
Millennials crave the ability to develop. But that said they’re interested in what the business stands for and what it is working toward. Any messaging needs to have depth and this is achieved through always relating to the bigger picture of culture, value and vision. Sharing shows you care.
Read our Collective Working case study here to see how one of our clients engaged their employees with CSR.
Are you really thinking about how you're connecting with your audiences and tailoring the experience to fit?
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References: HR Grapevine, Career Cake, The Balance Careers, Eventbrite
Images: Unsplash