The Millennial Generation, or commonly referred to as "Gen Y" consists of individuals born between 1980 - 1995 (ages 18 to 33 years old). This is the group of individuals most business organizations are focused on because they will be running our corporations, government entities and meetings in a few years.
PwC, in conjunction with the University of Southern California and London Business School, conducted a global generational study of 1,000 Millennials from 18 global territories. Because 66% of PwC's workforce consists of Millennials, it was important for them to find out if the stereotypes were accurate.
Meeting Speak Translation: Millennial meeting planners are not going to stay up all night and travel on weekends to work a meeting. In the same light, this class of attendee is not going to want to travel on Sundays or take late night flights. They want balance and in the evening they want to participate in fun, exciting activities that do not revolve around work or the conference.
- Create a flexible work culture -- Don't have every minute planned at the conference. Give attendees choices and plenty of opportunity to network.
- Fully leverage technology --- This generation is particularly savvy with mobile technology and their apps. Rent iPads, touch screens and computer kiosks. Put Gen Ys in charge of helping other attendees feel comfortable with this technology.
- Build a sense of community -- Online and off, communities can help keep the group connected before, during and after the meeting.
- Consider introducing or accelerating your global mobility program -- This group of attendees can help grow and develop international meetings.
AV Event Solutions is here to help you attract and retain Millennial attendees by offering state-of-the-art total technology solutions for your next meeting or event!










If you are like me, you have had a few brushes with the term "Big Data" over the last few months. And even though I come from a technical background, I have never really understood this concept -- until now. Today's blog will explain what it is, how it works and why event planners need to pay attention to it at every meeting they hold. 



Royal DSM, a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials, launched a worldwide rebranding effort to all their employees over a two-day period in February 2010. Because of DSM's strategic and successful use of meetings and events to promote the new brand identity -- Bright Science. Brighter Living™ -- they received the 2012 Recognizing Industry Success and Excellence (RISE) Award for Organizational Achievement from MPI.
In the age of business objectives and meeting metrics, is anyone really taking a hard look at what attendees' need and want from your conference? After all, without them would you even have a meeting?

Imagine, if you will, a conference where there are no paper programs, exhibitor manuals, session handouts, or surveys. There is 

