Embracing Change

Generations Y and Z are years ahead in various aspects (technology, participation, visual communication …), but decision makers are usually still Generation X. How should companies manage this new way of doing things and manage this generational change in their organisations?

The key is to understand that this is a sweeping, fundamental, cultural change that is here to stay. It would be particularly short sighted to view this reality simply as a passing fad initiated by a “peculiar” generation fixated on instant gratification. Instead, GenX managers will benefit by understanding and embracing the fact that this change is a result that blends the traditional aspects of the events industry with the new and emerging ones that will advance the industry as a whole, including its constituents. It doesn´t mean throwing everything away and starting with a blank slate, but rather adding the social elements that are missing from today´s traditional events.

In what key ways are these Generations changing the meetings industry? What should we concretely change?

The major change with GenY and the future GenX attendees is that the events will need to be more attendee-centric vs. knowledgecentric, as they are today.

Today´s meetings concentrate mainly on a one-way transfer of knowledge, a sort of monologue that treats the attendees as