The Generation Y Debate

Born in the mid-1980’s and later, Generation Y professionals are in their 20s and are just entering the workforce.  With numbers estimated as high as 70 million, Generation Y (also known as the Millenials) is the fastest growing segment of today’s workforce. As employers compete for available talent they cannot ignore the needs, desires and attitudes of this vast generation.

As 80’s babies how do you see the meetings industry change to meet your needs?

Jeoffrey Roussey 07 Dec 2009 16:14 In my opinion, interactivity is the key word for tomorow's meetings. Seeing the skyrocketting of the web 2.0 and the rise of personal technological devices such as smart phones that make interactivity easier than ever, I think the Y generation needs to be constantly asked for their opinion to keep their attention. I attended a conference in which the speaker submitted a quizz to the public (via technological devices), it really helped me to be focused and feel involved in the conference. Patter 17 Nov 2009 03:51 Hi Rob, i'm your student since many year ago. wish we could meet. Patter Thailand,TCEB Simon Young 30 Oct 2009 15:29 We have the latest Social Media solutions for the MICE industry at http://event-master.com Hope helpful to you Christine Peron 30 Oct 2009 10:17 Hi Rob, I really hope to come to Barcelona to meet you with my personal group of students from Université Marne la Vallée ... they are eager to share with you and your guys. Cheers from France Stephanie 22 Oct 2009 17:39 As Broadband babies I think we're on the whole impatient, and want all the information now! I see the industry becoming much more online with a break from traditional forms of communication as we increasingly 'e' everything -the challenge is to try and keep our attention long enough through new innovation and savvy marketing. A.G. 22 Oct 2009 11:56 Jess- i totally agree with you. Unless you integrate these mediums wholly within your marketing plans and give them the attention that they need, they will fail. Social networking needs nurturing in order to get it off the ground- you must dedicate the time and energy to it...and it will grow. if slow to begin with- Do not give up on it- you must persevere. Do half hearted atempts by some ruin it for others? Rachel 22 Oct 2009 11:51 I agree with A.G. - these are exciting times. The way young people communicate with each other has changed over recent years and the industry needs to acknowledge this and become more adaptable to faster moving trends. Jess 22 Oct 2009 11:19 Although the industry is increasingly updating the technology used, there is a danger of using technology just to be seen to be using it. Companies who use twitter / linked in / facebook need to implement these as part of a bigger strategy to add value - not just to be seen to be keeping up with the times. A.G. 22 Oct 2009 11:18 Every industry has to change for every generation surely? The world and environment that you grow up in shapes the person that you become...what you expect and what you come to demand from life on the whole. The meetings industry HAS to change in order to keep in with a far more selective crowd. The Y Generation are used to communicating online and demand immediate results- there can be no "its in the post" excuses with people that are used to instant messages, emails and SMS. All industries need to get imaginative online, and invent new ways to keep this generation engaged with your brand and your products... with social networking now prominent in online marketing you need to be aware of its strengths but also its backlashes...if you upset someone- they will retort online with an immediate following. It’s exciting surely…the Y Generation are making us all think about how to approach business again…is that a bad thing? nomorecommodore 64 22 Oct 2009 11:18 I want it all to be more interactive. I don't think some of the more corporate companies appreciate how much they can enhance their events through different mediums such as mobile technology/apps etc. 1 | 2