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Bring Gen Z Workplace Values to Events

October 2, 2025

To engage Gen Z in meetings and events, weave in what they value in their workplace.

Gen Z, the latest generation to hit the workforce, brings a different set of values to the workplace. Yes, the want money and career growth, but they also want meaning and a sense of well-being, according to a study by Deloitte. To engage Gen Z in meetings and events, planners have to weave their priorities — purpose-driven, inclusive spaces that support well-being, growth, stability and authentic expression — into the design and delivery of their events. The result may well just be a more dynamic, personalized and meaningful experience for all attendees, including Gen Z.

So what exactly do Gen Z value in the workplace? First and foremost, they want their work to have a meaningful purpose. According to studies, 86% of Gen Z seek roles aligned with their values and want their jobs to contribute to social impact and community well-being. They also value their own well-being and self-care. For Gen Z, mental health and work-life balance aren’t nice-to-haves — they’re essential. Gen Z values employers who support flexibility, mental wellness resources and care about holistic well-being.

Other top values include authentic leadership and the freedom to express themselves, as well as a culture that welcomes diverse viewpoints. They also care about corporate commitment to inclusion and social causes that are real and measurable, not just lip service. And they value workplaces that are less hierarchical and provide opportunities for mentorship, knowledge-sharing and collaboration.

How to incorporate these Gen Z values into meetings and events? Here are some ideas:

Prioritize experiences: Shift from traditional, lecture-based events to immersive, hands-on experiences and festival-style formats that allow for exploration, personalized learning, and active participation.
Showcase authentic impact: Integrate give-back activities, feature speakers with recent, relevant impact stories, and choose venues or suppliers with strong CSR practices to demonstrate authenticity in supporting causes.
Support well-being: Build in wellness breaks, including some mindfulness moments, as well as having quiet spaces set aside for recharging. Also doublecheck to ensure you’re giving attendees enough “white space” instead of jamming too much into the schedule — including after-hours activities.
Foster connection and collaboration: Provide lots of networking options, but keep it casual and low-key, yet purposeful — think social hours, roundtables and lounges. Also structure the sessions in ways that encourage interactive discussions rather than passive listening.
Personalize the journey: Fortunately, there are plenty of apps and event platforms you can use to help attendees take charge of their experience, including tools they can use to customized agendas, get session recommendations, and connect with content that fits their interests.
Be Insta-friendly: Design visually appealing environments with Instagrammable moments (photo ops, interactive installations) and encourage sharing to make the event memorable.
Make it easy: Clearly communicate details such as event objectives, agendas, accessibility and menus pre-meeting to make the experience smoother and less stressful.
Invite Gen Z to help in the planning process: They make not be ready to take charge, but they will appreciate having opportunities where they can provide feedback or co-create elements of the experience.

By aligning events with Gen Z’s workplace values around purpose, well-being, authenticity and personalization, planners can create more engaging meetings that resonate with this generation’s expectations and priorities.