Freeman’s Gen Z Report reveals how younger professionals can stability digital and in-person interplay
Lately, Freeman launched its 2025 Gen Z Report. The central classes centered on how Gen Z views their relationship with expertise and the way they really feel occasions impression their skilled improvement.
The examine presents intensive perception, stats, and details about how Gen Z attendees really feel about expertise and the way planners can make the most of these insights to offer higher service to their attendees.
Sensible Conferences chatted with Mickey Wilson, Freeman’s CMO, to debate what their report means for planners trying to have interaction Gen Z inside occasion areas higher.
Sensible Conferences How can assembly planners design occasions that stability expertise with in-person interactions to fulfill Gen Z’s wants?
Mickey Wilson The Freeman Gen Z Report reveals a vital perception: 91% of Gen Z professionals need a stability between expertise and in-person alternatives. To satisfy this want, planners ought to create analog experiences like pace networking and mentorship meetups whereas thoughtfully utilizing tech as an enhancement device—suppose matchmaking algorithms and interactive parts. The hot button is utilizing digital instruments to amplify, not exchange, human connection. Strategic digital touchpoints keep engagement earlier than and after occasions, whereas devoted face-to-face time helps construct lasting skilled relationships.
Learn Extra: 3 New Occasion Tech Instruments to Bling Your Common Session
SM What function do reside occasions play in serving to Gen Z professionals advance their careers in comparison with older generations?
MW Reside occasions present alternatives for closing the skilled improvement hole dealing with Gen Z. The report exhibits solely 57% of Gen Z really feel profitable of their careers, in comparison with 70% of Millennials and 66% of Gen X. Much more telling, Gen Z professionals common simply 16 sturdy enterprise relationships, whereas Millennials have 21 and Gen X maintains 40. With Gen Z projected to represent 30% of the workforce by 2030, in-person occasions present very important alternatives to construct connections, develop confidence, and improve interpersonal abilities wanted for profession development.
SM What interactive parts (e.g., gamification, mentorship applications, pace networking) can planners incorporate to reinforce Gen Z engagement?
MW With 82% of Gen Z desirous to really feel extra snug in face-to-face interactions, planners ought to deal with parts that construct confidence by means of energetic participation. Velocity networking periods create fast connections, whereas mentorship applications pair younger professionals with trade veterans for significant steerage. Interactive workshops specializing in delicate abilities improvement and casual social actions assist Gen Z follow real-world interactions in a supportive atmosphere. Creating dynamic experiences that stability structured networking with natural relationship-building is essential.
Learn Extra: It’s All About Engagement!
SM How can planners construction occasions to make career-building alternatives extra accessible and interesting to Gen Z?
MW [Since] 95% of Gen Z acknowledges the significance of private enterprise connections for profession success, planners ought to create environments that make networking really feel pure and accessible. Gen Z values structured but casual alternatives to construct connections and develop abilities. Planners could make skilled improvement extra inviting and impactful for this technology by creating interactive, low-pressure environments.
SM What are the most effective methods to combine expertise at reside occasions with out making Gen Z really feel disconnected?
MW Expertise ought to be a facilitator moderately than a barrier to real-world connections. With 69% of Gen Z reporting that expertise has made them really feel extra remoted of their skilled lives, considerate tech integration ought to prioritize significant interactions, making reside occasions extra partaking and helpful. Immersive experiences, similar to AR/VR activations, can improve engagement with out changing human interplay. Moreover, occasion organizers ought to create areas for unplugged moments, making certain Gen Z has alternatives to construct relationships with out digital distractions.
SM How can occasion organizers place in-person occasions as a helpful funding for corporations trying to assist Gen Z workers?
MW Reside occasions present structured alternatives for talent improvement, mentorship, and genuine networking, serving to younger workers construct the interpersonal connections they crave, however [these elements are] typically missing in digital work environments. By showcasing knowledge—like Gen Z’s sturdy choice for face-to-face career-building experiences—organizers can spotlight how investing in reside occasions results in increased engagement, stronger groups, and long-term firm loyalty. Investing in reside occasions instantly addresses Gen Z’s want for significant skilled connections whereas fostering worker engagement and long-term firm loyalty.
