Gen Z and Millennials Transform Event Engagement: Embracing 'Fourth Spaces'

In 2025, Gen Z and Millennials are revolutionizing event engagement by bridging their digital interactions with in-person experiences, giving rise to "Fourth Spaces." This term, highlighted in a recent study by Eventbrite, describes gatherings that transform online interests into meaningful real-world connections.

Despite their digital fluency, 73% of individuals aged 18 to 35 plan to attend live events in the next six months, reflecting a strong desire for face-to-face interactions. Notably, 84% of attendees at interest-based events have developed close friendships through these gatherings, emphasizing the importance of events that foster genuine relationships. Additionally, 45% of those surveyed report that in-person experiences enhance their sense of self, underscoring the value of events that promote personal growth.

Eventbrite's study identifies six emerging types of Fourth Spaces that corporate event planners can draw inspiration from:​

1. Culinary Circles: Food-driven experiences, including intimate supper clubs and specialty cooking workshops, have grown by 35%.​

2. Live Social Shows: Concerts and stand-up comedy events are evolving into community-building platforms.

3. Game-Based Gatherings: Board game events have surged, indicating an increased demand for interactive social entertainment.​

4. Creative Classes: Hands-on workshops like jewelry-making (up 34%) and crochet (up 44%) are trending.​

5. Fandom Festivities: Cosplay and anime-related events are seeing significant attendance growth (up 50% and up 20%, respectively).​

6. Healthy Hangouts: Wellness gatherings are on the rise, with running events up 130% and sober-curious gatherings up 92%. ​

For corporate event organizers, these insights suggest the need to rethink event design and programming to better meet the evolving expectations of younger audiences. Incorporating interest-based networking, experiential elements, and blending online and offline components can create more engaging and impactful events.​

Author: Danica Tormohlen​

Original Source: ​corporateeventnews.com

Read Full Article: How Gen Z and Millennials Are Redefining Event Engagement in 2025: The Shift from Digital to In-Person​