Understanding Gen Z Consumer Trends at the Global Products Expo 2025
The future of food, fashion, and tech doesn’t belong to millennials anymore—it belongs to Gen Z. Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z is now the largest, most diverse generation of consumers. And at the upcoming Global Products Expo—taking place June 26–28, 2025, at the New Jersey Expo Center—this generation’s presence and influence will be impossible to ignore.
Whether you’re a brand, marketer, or exhibitor, understanding Gen Z consumer trends is no longer optional. It’s essential for staying relevant, driving engagement, and converting attention into loyalty.
Explore how Gen Z expo trends are reshaping trade shows across industries—from food and beverage expos to fashion tech showcases—and learn how your brand can meet them where they are.
Who Is Gen Z, and Why Should Exhibitors Care?
Gen Z consumers are digital natives, cultural critics, and change-makers. They value authenticity, personalization, sustainability, and social impact—and they can spot a gimmick from a mile away.
Key Gen Z traits to consider:
- 86% want brands to align with their values
- 72% would pay more for sustainable products
- 65% prefer brands that personalize experiences
- Only 9 seconds to grab their attention online—or at your booth
At a major food and beverage expo USA like the Global Products Expo, Gen Z isn’t just attending—they’re influencing buying decisions, hyping trends on social media, and driving the future of the industries on display.
1. Gen Z Is Redefining Food Culture
Gone are the days when food marketing was about calorie counts and low-fat labels. Gen Z approaches food with a lens of ethics, experimentation, and expression.
Food Trends Exhibitors Should Know:
- Plant-Based Innovation: Not just for vegans. Many Gen Zers are “flexitarians” experimenting with sustainable, plant-forward eating.
- Functional Beverages: Drinks with adaptogens, nootropics, or gut health benefits are hot.
- Global Flavors: This generation thrives on cross-cultural food experiences, with less emphasis on “Americanized” cuisine.
- Packaging Matters: Is it recyclable? Minimalist? Aesthetic enough for Instagram? If not, you’re missing out.
At the Global Products Expo, food exhibitors should prioritize interactive sampling experiences with QR codes for quick info, ingredient transparency, and share-worthy booth designs.
Pro Tip: Personalize your pitch. Use tablets or digital menus where attendees can filter product recommendations by dietary needs or lifestyle goals.
2. Fashion and Tech: Blurring Boundaries and Going Phygital
In Gen Z’s world, fashion and tech are increasingly fused, and trade shows are adapting fast. Whether it’s wearable tech, upcycled clothing, or AI-designed streetwear, Gen Z wants more than a product—they want a story and an experience.
Gen Z Expo Trends in Fashion & Tech:
- Customization: Gen Z expects to co-create. Think: live design stations, embroidery on-site, or 3D printing demos.
- Sustainable Supply Chains: Transparency tools like blockchain-backed sourcing maps or “climate impact scores” on labels are gaining traction.
- Digital Integration: Virtual fitting rooms, AR filters, and mobile-exclusive content are not optional—they’re expected.
Trade show booths that blend physical and digital—also called “phygital” experiences—will dominate in 2025. A mirror that lets attendees “try on” your product virtually? Now we’re talking.
3. Values-Driven Engagement: More Than Just a Trend
One of the most defining Gen Z consumer trends is their insistence that brands take a stand. From climate change to inclusivity to labor rights, they want to know: What do you believe in?
How to Align Your Booth with Gen Z Values:
- Host Micro-Activations: Set up small actions attendees can take (sign a pledge, scan a code to donate, upcycle packaging).
- Tell Your Sustainability Story: Don’t just say you’re green—show the lifecycle of your product, your materials, and your mission.
- Be Transparent: Authenticity matters. Glossy greenwashing or virtue signaling will backfire.
At an expo where food tech and personalization are central themes, exhibitors who put values front and center will connect more deeply with Gen Z visitors.
4. Personalization as the Ultimate Power Move
If there’s one word that sums up Gen Z’s expectations at trade shows, it’s personalization. This generation grew up with Spotify algorithms and TikTok feeds that know them better than they know themselves.
They expect the same from your booth.
Personalization Ideas for Exhibitors:
- Custom product samples based on user quiz results
- AI-generated fashion or food pairings at your display
- Interactive touchscreens that build a personalized experience path
- Augmented reality features that deliver tailored content
Remember, personalization doesn’t have to mean big-budget tech. Even offering two different lighting moods in your booth or designing spaces for introverts vs. extroverts can make a difference.
5. Social-First Design: Your Booth Is the Content
Gen Z doesn’t just experience trade shows—they broadcast them. TikTok, Instagram Stories, and Reels are their native language. That means your booth should be camera-ready and content-generating by design.
Social Design Must-Haves:
- Bold photo walls with clear branding
- Branded hashtags or geo-filters
- Live reactions, polls, or challenges they can join
- Exclusive giveaways for those who post/tag
Make it easy (and irresistible) for Gen Z to document their visit to your booth—and watch your reach expand organically.
Key Takeaways for Exhibitors
| Gen Z Trend | Booth Strategy |
| Plant-based innovation | Offer samples with transparent ingredients |
| Phygital experiences | Add AR mirrors or interactive displays |
| Personalization | Use quizzes, filters, or digital customizations |
| Sustainability | Show material origin, waste reduction, ethical sourcing |
| Social influence | Design with shareable moments in mind |
Final Thoughts: Gen Z Isn’t the Future—They’re the Present
As you prepare for the Global Products Expo 2025—happening June 26–28 at the New Jersey Expo Center—understand that Gen Z isn’t just another audience segment. They are setting the pace, raising the standards, and expecting real action from the brands they engage with.
If your food and beverage expo booth doesn’t reflect innovation, transparency, and personalization, it’s time to rethink. Those who design with Gen Z expo trends in mind will not only draw a crowd—they’ll inspire loyalty that lasts well beyond the show floor.
Ready to Win Over Gen Z?
Let our booth design consultants help you create a Gen Z-ready presence at globalproductsexpo.com.
👉 Schedule your personalized strategy call today.
