More than 70% of Gen Zs factor outfit changes into an event day to suit different occasions – but is that vanity or a new form of professionalism? Photo Credit: iStock/Pressmaster
Is Gen Z really the most laidback generation in the room, or simply the most misread? A new Hilton-commissioned study points to the latter, revealing a cohort that may look relaxed on the surface but is, in reality, highly selective, ambitious and intentional.
The research highlights a tension that planners and employers often struggle to reconcile: Gen Z’s enthusiasm for social connection and self-expression sits alongside a strong sense of responsibility and career intent.
Take their approach to appearance, for example. More than half of respondents globally (57%) say they change outfits multiple times a day to ensure they are dressed appropriately for different occasions. Among Gen Z, that figure jumps to 72%, higher than Millennials (63%), Gen X (48%) and Boomers (33%). Far from vanity, the data may hint at a generation acutely aware of context, optics and professional signalling.
Fun-loving but not frivolous
That awareness is often mistaken for frivolity. Similarly, after-hours fun is cited as a main reason for attending work events by 68% for Gen Z and 61% for Millennials, compared with 47% of Gen X and just 34% of Boomers. Yet the study shows this appetite for enjoyment is not at odds with ambition.
More than half of Gen Z respondents (52%) say they attend events to build career-advancing relationships, compared with 45% across all generations. In India, that figure climbs to 58%. Even more tellingly, 78% of Gen Z globally say they only attend events that support their professional goals, versus 67% overall.
Social media gives events an audience beyond floor attendance. Photo Credit: iStock/Jacob WackerhausenNon-performative engagement
Indeed, there is more to Gen Z than meets the eye. They may seem inclined to taking breaks, but they also feel the most guilty about stepping away. While Boomers are much less likely to skip sessions to decompress (39%), compared with 61% of Gen Z and Millennials, younger attendees feel significantly more guilt when they do step away. Some 68% of Gen Z report feeling guilty about taking a break, compared with 62% of Millennials and just 48% of Boomers.
Generational differences aside, the need for downtime is real. Two-thirds of respondents (67%) say they feel less engaged at events without adequate downtime, while 55% admit to skipping sessions to decompress if breaks are not built into the programme.
Audience expands beyond event floor
The report also underscores how public events have become with the advent of social media. Your event’s audience is no longer confined to those in the room.
Some 67% of respondents say they are more likely to attend an event if it offers interesting opportunities to share on social networks. Nearly two-thirds (64%) are likely to post about their experience at a work-related event, while 29% spend their free time seeking out content-worthy moments.
So, what makes an event share-worthy? The study reveals attendees are no longer posting generic venue shots, but insight-rich moments, distinctive spaces and curated touches – from signature cocktails to chef-driven dining – that align with personal and professional identity. For many attendees, social sharing goes beyond documenting attendance to signal growth, taste and credibility.
The findings are drawn from an online survey commissioned by Hilton and conducted by Ipsos in November 2025, among 3,150 adults aged 18 and above from India, the UK and the US.