Millennials are not just changing today's world but also shaping it. This year, more than 41% of the world population will be 24 years old or younger. By 2025, Millennials will comprise 75% of the global workforce.
Every industry in the world is trying to keep up with millennial trends, and the event industry should be no exception. We have a nifty checklist for you to ensure your event keeps the millennials engaged.
- Visual appeal: Aesthetic and image are essential factors that play into making an event millennial-friendly. If the experience is not Instagram worthy, attending an event will not be worth the effort. Keep that in mind while deciding the venue, décor, food and drinks.
- Photobooths: Make it easier for your audience to capture their experience at the event with photo booths and branded photo sections to use it as an opportunity to increase brand social media presence.
- Social media marketing: A strong social media presence makes an event more desirable. Use social media before, during and after events to create engagement by running contests and campaigns. Share event snippet and teasers to hype it up. Make sure you have an informative event page where people can invite friends and increase the reach of the event for you. Live streaming of events has proven useful to increase brand recognition as most millennials prefer to go to events that they are familiar with or can engage with online. Read the Social Media Situation to understand how to use social media the right way.
- Tech it up: Embrace technology in a big way to win extra favours. Make ticketing for the event online and hassle-free. Make sure you can check-in to the event with a phone. Having a personalised app for the event is a significant gain. Ensure there is free and fast Wi-Fi at the event. Place an abundant number of charging station with sponsor branding to ensure the attendees stay online but also sneak in some sponsor visibility. Make all in-event purchases cashless and efficient.
- Customisation: Events have ceased to be one size fits all. Customising an event to the needs of a client is becoming more and more common. It pays off to stray from traditional events to make them unique and personal.
- Engagement to experiences: Millennials thrive on networking opportunities. Use it to your advantage by encouraging interaction during your event. Facilitate activities to make the event experience. A snooze fest with no physical or online activity is a no-no.
- Socially responsible sponsors, socially conscious events: As a generation, millennials are more socially conscious than any other and would love to back a cause. Add a charitable element to your event. Tie up with non-profits or pledge a part of your proceeds to charity. Create a multi-faceted event that also provides a feel-good factor. Bring in sponsors that are socially conscious and outspoken.
- Go green: Transition to environmentally conscious and sustainable events. Millennials are very committed to protecting the environment. Ensure that your events are low carbon footprint and plastic-free. Make all the event swag cute, useful and reusable (locally sourced would be a cherry on top).
