Liz Rice-Conboy, Technical Registration Experts, Inc.

As people work longer and also become life-long learners for longer, professional meetings have become places where multiple generations interact.  It is increasingly more important to cater learning to the preferences of multiple generations at meetings and events.   Media and professional organizations alike drop generational names like Boomers, Xers or Millenials as if everyone in the group can be explained by the year that they are born.  America’s five living generations  are identified as the “GI Generation,” born 1901-1926; “Silent Generation,” born 1927-1945; “Boomers,” born 1946-1964; “Generation X,” born 1965-1981; and the “Millennials,” born 1982-2010.

There is no denying that generational differences exist in people’s preferences and to some extent in their values. Given these differences, it is important that meeting planners, presenters and educators take into consideration these differences when planning educational activities.  Don’t worry; a survey conducted by the Center for Creative Leadership in 2004 concluded that people from all generations seek a chance for self development.  Each person may seek self development, participation, and methods of learning in different ways. Meeting planners can run an event, activity or meeting opportunity to potential meeting attendees with the following generational preferences in mind:

• It may be helpful to gauge the target age group for your meeting and even for the classes within your event (e.g., a beginner course may be for one generation, while an advanced course may be targeted for another generation).
• Technology is not just preferred by the Boomers, Xers and Millennials; the Silent generation is the fastest growing segment of the population to use the Internet.  Providing various levels of technology that are accessible to all generations is good (e.g., well explained simulation or demonstration videos to watch may be good for the older generations, while Tweet stations or wireless internet may be essential for others).
• Some generations excel at group work with a lot of steps (Millennials), others must require a lot of talk time (Boomers), and still others want to practice a new skill while alone (Silent).  Then, there are Gen Xers that prefer relevant activities in small groups.  In smaller courses or learning activities, planners may want to estimate the generations of attendees and gear the activities toward the paying attendee.  Or, it may be good to offer a combination of preferences (e.g., offering small groups that have ample talk time or groups that have several steps activities, where some of the activities are done while alone).
• Well-organized information that has headings and bullet points that stress its relevance will benefit all generations.  The amount of new information that each learner will take away will vary.  It may be helpful to have a general set of talking points on one sheet (for the Silent and Boomer generations) and then an annotated set of details and information for those seeking more information or greater depth. 
• It is helpful for point size to be large enough (12 point) for the Silent and Boomer generations.  Visual descriptions and creative interaction is valued by the Gen X and Milliennials.  While the Boomers or Silent generation may be accustomed to a didactic learning style, the Millennial generation prefers “edutainment” and multimedia presentations. 

Providing the best learning opportunities to all the generations in one venue may be a challenge.  It is essential to be aware of these learning differences between generations though and adapt the opportunities to their needs  - there is no doubt it will strengthen your attendance and bottom line!