S8,E4: Connecting with Millennials & Gen Z Designers: Tarra Avila on Strategy That Sticks

NeoCon 2025 is paved with more than just innovative products—it’s built on meaningful relationships, bold storytelling, and brands that lead with purpose. In today’s design landscape, simply showing up isn’t enough. Reps must deliver real value, spark genuine conversations, and create experiences that resonate long after the event ends. Authenticity, honesty, and human connection are the new currency. When done right, events become more than industry obligations—they become powerful platforms for impact, inspiration, and long-term growth.

In today’s episode, we sit down with Tarra Avila for an inspiring conversation about NeoCon 2025, the future of design networking, and how brands can create meaningful connections. Tarra is the visionary CEO and founder of Network NextGen—a vibrant community connecting emerging designers and architects in their 20s and 30s with leading design brands and manufacturers. Through curated live and virtual experiences, Network NextGen fosters authentic conversations around work-life balance, inspiration, and the future of design, with events in more than 18 markets across the country. They are creating spaces where designers walk away feeling inspired, informed, and more connected than ever.

Let’s dive in!

Key Highlights from the Episode:
[00:01] Intro and a bit about our guest, Tarra Avila
[02:36] Trends: How Millennials and Gen Z are redefining careers in design
[06:43] Rethinking events in a shifting social networking culture
[07:39] Inside Network NextGen programs and their impact
[13:14] Marketing strategies: What works—and what doesn’t—with younger designers
[19:41] What to expect from Network NextGen at NeoCon 2025
[23:46] Tips on packaging your brand for visibility and awareness
[27:24] Breaking Barriers: Tarra’s advice for reigniting creative energy
[28:41] Wrap-up and end of the show

Notable Quotes:

• "Brands that do well have more unfiltered, raw footage that gets millions of views—it’s not about the polished image anymore."
• "The more knowledge a brand can pour into a designer, the more they will remember."
• "There is so much breadth in our industry. Your degree is valuable—there is so much you can do with it. You just have to push some doors open."
• "If you ever feel stuck, start talking to people to reinspire you—you don’t need to go to Pinterest or look at images."
  

Connect with Tarra Avila and Network NextGen:

• Website: https://nextgenke.com/
• LinkedIn: Tarra Kieckhaefer
  
  

Learn more about Thrive In Design:

• Website: thriveindesign.co
• Instagram: @thriveindesign
• Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thriveindesign/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveindesign/

🎓 Register for the next Thrive in Design live training:
https://training.thriveindesign.co/

📘 Get your copy of "The Ultimate Guide to A&D Sales":
https://www.thriveindesign.co/brand-reps

📚Enroll in the School of Strategy by Thrive In Design: 

https://www.thriveindesign.co/school