4 ways to get generation x moms and dads to your events and exhibitions

Generational differences among people attending exhibitions and events are highlighted in a new study by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research. The Power of Exhibitions in the 21st Century helps meeting professionals determine what they need to do to specifically attract the Under 40 crowd.


The research reveals what we already know about Generation X. We don't want to become workaholics and we don't want anything in intruding on our time with our kids. During the early years of my career and before I had children, I loved to travel. I worked for the Air Force and I visited at least 10 different military installations in a five-year period, maybe more. Later, I coordinated a Department of Energy program, and I traveled to two or three major cities for conferences. These were exciting trips for a young professional.


But, after I had my first child, travel became and absolute chore, if not the bane of my professional existence. I was required to attend a conference in New York City in July 2001. I had a terrific boss at the time who understood I was a single mom and hated leaving my daughter. She told me I didn't have to go.


In 2006, when I was about six weeks pregnant with Bridgette, Sullivan, his stroller and I were nearly swept away on the tarmac at the airport in Salt Lake City. I'd taken the entire family with me to the 2006 PRSA Conference. My morning sickness began on that trip and lasted through my fifth month. You can read about my battle with hyperemesis here. It's only been in the last year that I could even look at pictures from that trip because it was such a difficult experience.


All that to say, if meeting professionals want to get Generation X moms (and dads) to their events and exhibitions consider doing the following:

ACKNOWLEDGE WE HAVE KIDS and THAT WE MISS THEM. Give us postcards we can send home or really knock yourself and video tape messages from parents telling their kids hi from the conference. Upload to YouTube.

OFFER COOL KITSCH FOR OUR KIDS. It is assuages our guilt to bring stuff home for our kids when we've been away. It lets the kids know we're thinking about them.

HAVE DRAWINGS FOR PRIZES FOR or RELATED TO KIDS. (College tuition would be nice, but gift certificates to Pottery Barn Kids, Toy 'R Us, etc., will suffice.)

OFFER CHILDCARE at the CONFERENCE HOTEL. I'm not kidding. If you do this, you'll get GenXers with preschoolers to your exhibitions and events every time.

Hat Tip: Associations and Meetings.