🔮 How Gen Z Is Shaking Up Business Events—And What Hotels Must Do to Keep Up

Jul 24

3 min read

💡 The Future of Meetings Isn’t Coming—It’s Already Here.

The next wave of meeting attendees isn't Gen X or Millennials—it's Gen Z, and they’re changing the business events game in real time. Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z is digitally native, experience-obsessed, and socially conscious. They crave purpose-driven events, interactive experiences, and a sense of personalization that goes far beyond just checking dietary boxes. If hotels and meeting planners want to stay competitive, they need to evolve their event strategy fast—especially when it comes to food, room layout, networking design, and engagement tactics.

🍽️ F&B as a Key Engagement Tool

Gen Z sees food and beverage as more than sustenance—it’s a connection builder and identity signal.

🔥 What Top-Performing Hotels Are Doing:

Sending Menus in Advance: Let attendees select their meals pre-event via mobile. It’s inclusive, efficient, and removes mealtime friction.
Curated Small Bites: Think hand-held, easy-to-eat networking fuel. Gone are the days of awkwardly juggling a drink and a full plate.
Themed F&B Breakouts: Mixology labs, zero-proof cocktail classes, local farmer spotlights, “DIY poke bowls,” or spice stations.
Interactive Food Walls: Activated by QR codes to reveal menu ingredients, sourcing, and even playlist pairings.
Sustainable Packaging & Transparency: Gen Z wants to know where it came from and how it was made.

🧠 Sample Networking Menu:

“Taste the World” Small Bite Bar

Korean BBQ Bao Bites
Mini Moroccan Tagine Cups
Vegan Ceviche Spoons
Yuzu Spritz Mocktail & Matcha Shooters

🪑 It’s Not Just the Food—It’s the Feel of the Room

Gen Z wants to feel seen and supported at events. Room design plays a major role in that.

🎯 Strategic Room Setups:

Seating Zones by Engagement Type: Extroverts vs. introverts, lounge zones vs. pitch pods.
Open Circulation Spaces: Gen Z doesn’t sit still—spaces must allow movement and fluid networking.
Power Stations & Quiet Pods: Digital detox areas or recharge zones are now must-haves.
Different Seating Sections: Couches laid out in one area & high-tops in another area.

🧩 Breakouts That Actually Work

Forget passive panels—Gen Z wants actionable takeaways and immersive experiences.

💥 Top Performing Breakout Trends:

Team Mixology Competitions
Mini Content Creation Labs: TikTok & Reels corner for corporate storytelling
Brand & Culture Vision Boards
Silent Brainstorm Sessions with Headsets
Mindfulness Movement Breaks (yoga, breathwork, sound baths)

🚩 Common Hurdles & Red Flags

Even with good intentions, some planners are missing the mark. Watch out for these:

❌ Red Flags:

Trying to speak to everyone and pleasing no one.
Failing to actively listen to feedback after each event.
Offering menus with limited inclusivity (gluten-free isn’t enough).
Ignoring diversity in speakers, room flow, and food inspiration.
Overwhelming attendees with too many activities and not enough breathing room.

✅ Smart Fix:

Partner with a strategic F&B team like Vanguard F&B Thynk Tank to design menus and experiences that are data-backed, trend-informed, and emotionally resonant.

🧠 Why Vanguard F&B Thynk Tank Is Your Secret Weapon

At Vanguard, we don’t just serve food—we serve strategic vision for the modern business event. Your Corporate F&B Team On Demand When You Need It Without The Annual Overhead.

✅ Custom menu development

✅ Gen Z trend integration

✅ Sustainable and inclusive culinary design

✅ Interactive F&B activations

✅ Event experience consultation

From team building culinary breakouts to 360° guest experience flow, we bring an edge to your events that competitors can’t touch.

📲 Ready to Future-Proof Your Meetings?

Whether you're a hotel GM, a conference planner, or an event producer—it’s time to rethink how we feed and engage the future of business.

🌍 The Importance of Inclusivity in Events

Inclusivity is more than a trend; it's a necessity. Events that cater to diverse audiences foster a sense of belonging. Gen Z values representation and wants to see themselves reflected in every aspect of an event. This includes food options, speaker diversity, and room layouts that accommodate various needs.

📈 The Role of Technology in Modern Meetings

Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing the meeting experience. From virtual reality breakouts to live polling apps, integrating technology can elevate engagement. Gen Z is comfortable with tech and expects it to be part of their event experience.

🌱 Sustainability: A Non-Negotiable

Sustainability is not just a buzzword for Gen Z; it’s a lifestyle. They prefer events that prioritize eco-friendly practices. This includes sustainable sourcing of food, waste reduction strategies, and environmentally conscious materials.

👉 Let Vanguard F&B Thynk Tank build your next-gen experience that turns guests into fans and meetings into movements.