<i>Generational</i>  Expert & Keynote Speaker

Generational Expert & Keynote Speaker

 I build bridges between your world and the world of Generation Z

Benoît Vancauwenberghe helps brands, leaders, marketers, HR teams, and educators surpass stereotypes and trend reports. He clarifies the cultural shifts shaping Gen Z and their Alpha successors through powerful keynotes, workshops, and strategy sessions. From youth values and digital rituals to new forms of activism, anxiety, and identity, Benoît equips audiences with the insight they need to understand, connect with, and design for the future of youth.

About Benoît Vancauwenberghe

From Understanding …

Benoît Vancauwenberghe is one of Europe’s leading voices on Generation Z and Alpha. As a strategist, keynote speaker, and co-founder of 20Something, a pioneering youth-focused agency founded in 2009, he has spent over a decade decoding how young people think, consume, communicate, and shape culture.

With a background that blends sociology, marketing, psychology, and trend forecasting, Benoît transforms raw research into sharp cultural insight. He’s delivered data-driven, future-facing talks across Europe, from Cannes Lions and D&AD London to Brand Week IstanbulEurobest, Pandox Stockholm, and BAM Youngster Brussels.

Whether you’re a brand, institution, HR,  leader, or educator, Benoît’s work helps you understand youth not as a trend but as a transformative force shaping the future of leadership, work, and society.

<i>About</i> Benoît Vancauwenberghe

 … to Action

Today’s youth aren’t just influencing the future but rewriting it.

In his keynotes and workshops, Benoît challenges audiences to move beyond observation and into action. He equips decision-makers, marketers, HR professionals, and educators with the insight and tools they need to engage meaningfully with Gen Z and Gen Alpha across Europe and beyond.

This isn’t about inspiration. It’s about strategy.
It’s not about following trends.  It’s about anticipating cultural shifts before they break.

Discover some of our client testimonials below.


"world-class keynote speaker who can inspire audiences, challenge conventional thinking, and leave a lasting impact"

Benoît was one of the standout moments of UNFOLD Festival 2026. From the moment he stepped on stage, he captivated the audience with his energy, authenticity, and fresh perspective on the future of leadership, entrepreneurship, and Generation Z.

His keynote was insightful, thought-provoking, and highly engaging, leaving our audience inspired long after it ended.
Beyond being an outstanding speaker, Benoit was a true professional—easy to work with, passionate about creating value and genuinely committed to connecting with people. His ability to combine strategic insight with powerful storytelling makes him a speaker who doesn’t simply deliver a presentation; he creates an experience.

We are proud to have welcomed Benoit to UNFOLD Festival 2026 and would highly recommend him to any organization looking for a world-class keynote speaker who can inspire audiences, challenge conventional thinking, and leave a lasting impact.

Charalambos MICHAELConference Manager


Discover more of testimonials below.

Benoît  was one of the standout moments of UNFOLD Festival 2026. From the moment he stepped on stage, he captivated the audience with his energy, authenticity, and fresh perspective on the future of leadership, entrepreneurship, and Generation Z. His keynote was insightful, thought-provoking, and highly engaging, leaving our audience inspired long after it ended.Beyond being an outstanding speaker, Benoit was a true professional, easy to work with, passionate about creating value, and genuinely committed to connecting with people. His ability to combine strategic insight with powerful storytelling makes him a speaker who doesn’t simply deliver a presentation; he creates an experience.We are proud to have welcomed Benoit to UNFOLD Festival 2026 and would highly recommend him to any organisation looking for a world-class keynote speaker who can inspire audiences, challenge conventional thinking and leave a lasting impact.

MICHAEL Charalambos

MICHAEL Charalambos

Conference Manager

Benoît practices what he preaches. He is genuinely invested in decoding what matters to the youngest generations, and he is exactly the person you want in your corner if you are trying to bridge the gap between your organisation and younger workers.

Getting to know him in preparation for a podcast recording was a real treat. Kind, passionate, and deeply knowledgeable. He went out of his way to help me and my show stand out, sharing real insights even off camera. Not for clout, but simply because that is who he is.

If you get the chance to work with Benoît, take it.

Matteo  Casini

Matteo Casini

Partnerships & Business Development | Host of the Stepsero Podcast

It was an absolute pleasure working with Benoit as a speaker at our recent event. From the very beginning, he was professional, responsive, and easy to collaborate with, answering emails promptly and providing his materials, including the handout and presentation, well in advance. His keynote was extremely well received by our audience.

Benoit delivered an engaging and dynamic session, skillfully incorporating music, interactive tools, and Q&A to keep participants involved throughout. He also took the time to tailor his presentation specifically to our audience, which made his insights even more relevant and impactful. I can highly recommend Benoit as a speaker, particularly on topics related to Gen Z. He brings both expertise and energy to the stage, creating a memorable and valuable experience for attendees.

Sina  Bünte

Sina Bünte

Freelance | Events Strategist & Manager | Experience Designer | Facilitator | Producer | 2024 EIC Pacesetter Award winner |

It was so good to have you on stage, confronting us with lessons we can adapt for Gen Z. Thanks for being part of the success of this great event.

Boots Marcel

Boots Marcel

Strategic advisor to the board at Basic-Fit and president Europe Active

I had the pleasure of collaborating with Benoît on our GEN Z project. A genuinely positive, joyful, and energetic person, Benoît brought a contagious enthusiasm and truly carried the project forward, playing a key role in its success. Beyond his deep expertise in Generation Z, I particularly appreciated his very human, hands-on approach. Through roundtables, one-to-one interviews, and the casting of authentic profiles for video content, he was able to create a real dialogue with young people and uncover insights that are both authentic and directly actionable. A collaboration that was both enjoyable, efficient, and highly enriching. A true Gen Z specialist — and a valuable partner. Thank you, Benoît!
Dominique Jacoby

Dominique Jacoby

Chief Sales Officer at Amonis

 Cleo  Papadopoulou

Cleo Papadopoulou

Head of Tax & Reporting Strategy and Connected Compliance, Chief Inclusion & Diversity Officer, Chief Learning Officer, PwC Cyprus

Having worked with many speakers as a Conference Officer, I can confidently say that Benoit stood out from the very first interaction. His professionalism, strong character, dedication to hard work and continuous development, along with his integrity, immediately earned my trust. His presence on stage is captivating, his expertise on Generation Z remarkable, and the energy he brings is truly one of a kind. I genuinely hope to cross paths with more people like him!

Katerina  Nazlidou

Katerina Nazlidou

Conference Officer at IMH Business

Following the insightful session hosted by PwC Cyprus on Generation Z, Benoit Vancauwenberghe left with a renewed perspective on how this generation is reshaping the workplace. Their emphasis on purpose, transparency, continuous growth, and well-being isn’t just a preference; it’s a powerful direction for the future of work.  The discussion highlighted how essential it is for us in HR and leadership to adapt our practices, listen more intentionally, and create environments where Gen Z can genuinely thrive. Feeling inspired to turn these insights into meaningful actions that strengthen our culture and support the evolving expectations of the workforce.  Thank you for the truly inspiring speech !!

Vasia  Myridaki

Vasia Myridaki

Talent & Development Lead | Building Leadership Capability | Driving Performance, Culture & People Growth

Great speech!

You helped us feel empathy for the new generation(s).

I loved your approach, and thank you for sharing your learnings.

Zana  Goic Petricevic

Zana Goic Petricevic

Leadership Coach I Bestselling Author

A millennial expert on Gen Z, he amazed me with his ability to “translate one human to another.” He observes Gen Z through their eyes, but with our words, highlighting their talents and strengths, and conveys their world so that we understand it fully. His passion for bridging generations and his meta-skill of translating one perspective into another were incredibly inspiring.

Victoria  Esaulova

Victoria Esaulova

Human Potential Coach | Meta-skills Trainer | Founder You Inspire | On a mission to create a thriving work culture in Cyprus

I had the pleasure of working with Benoît on a campaign targeting Generation Z, and his contribution was invaluable. Benoît brings truly disruptive creativity to the table; he is not afraid to challenge conventions and propose original solutions that resonate directly with younger audiences.

What impressed me most is Benoît’s expertise: he’s a top expert in Europe on new trends and today’s youth mindset.  He combines this with exceptional knowledge of media, allowing him to adopt a global, integrated approach in both his reflections and his advice.

 Pierre-Benoît  Sepulchre

Pierre-Benoît Sepulchre

Chief of Staff | Strategic Advisor

A specialist in Gen Z, Benoît is a creative thinker and an exceptional analyst, capable of turning his ideas into concrete actions. His perspective, experience, and expertise make him an essential figure on these topics.

 

His talks are not only inspiring but also highly insightful, offering a unique and valuable perspective.

Eusebio Larrea

Eusebio Larrea

Head of Entertainment & CoProduction RTL Belgium

Benoît and I are both active in an NPO that defends human values.

The quality of his insights is highly valuable to the project. His experience allows us to make the right decisions, and he teaches us how to communicate more efficiently with specific target groups, explaining the methods and content clearly. He is an expert in Generations Y and Z and has extensive experience working with the younger generations.

Benoît is a great person to work with; he is committed and very target-driven.

Gabriel Goffoy

Gabriel Goffoy

General Manager MINI at BMW Group Belux + Founder of Forbidden Colours NGO and fund at King Baudouin Foundation

Over the last 5 years, Benoit and I have researched together the impact of social, political, and economic crises on generations. It was a pleasure to work with Benoit.

Benoit excels at finding patterns in multiple sets of data, and put them into context. He is good at summarising key insights and make them practical for clients. Finally, he is an excellent communicator, and knows well how to make complex material and ideas accessible to large audience.

Samuel Sigere Ph.D.

Samuel Sigere Ph.D.

Programme Manager / UCL History PhD / GMF TILN Fellow

Every meeting and workshop with Benoit is a surge of energy and creativity.

His unique understanding of Gen Z, paired with his strong expertise in traditional media, makes him a true expert in brand and audience positioning.

What sets him apart is his rare ability to blend disruptive creativity with practical, results-driven solutions.

Kim Beyns

Kim Beyns

CEO at Nostalgie, NRJ, Nostalgie+, NRJ+, Chérie / NGroup Belgium

Keynotes


Any questions?

Generation Alpha refers to the cohort born roughly between 2010 and 2024 — the children of younger Millennials and the first generation raised entirely in the age of smartphones, AI and voice assistants. They follow Generation Z and are shaping the next wave of consumer, education and family behaviour across Europe.

Generation Z is commonly defined as those born between 1997 and 2012, and Generation Alpha as those born between 2010 and 2024. Definitions vary by researcher; Benoît works with European datasets and adjusts these boundaries to the cultural and market context of each engagement.

The generation after Alpha is provisionally called Generation Beta, expected to include those born from around 2025 onward. It will be the first cohort born into a world of mainstream generative AI and agentic technology — a core theme of Benoît’s forward-looking keynotes.

Gen Z (1997–2012) grew up alongside social media and remembers a pre-smartphone world; Gen Alpha (2010–2024) has never known one. Gen Z shaped today’s culture of authenticity and activism, while Gen Alpha is being formed by AI, gaming and creator-led learning. Benoît’s keynotes decode both and what they mean for brands and organisations.

Gen Alpha slang is a fast-moving vocabulary born on TikTok, YouTube and gaming platforms (terms like “skibidi”, “rizz”, “gyat”, “sigma”). Beyond the words, it signals how Gen Alpha builds identity and community online — a live example Benoît uses to help brands and educators stay culturally relevant.

Gen Z employees prioritise purpose, transparency, flexibility, mental-health support and rapid growth over loyalty to a single employer. Managing them well means clear feedback, meaning and autonomy. Benoît’s HR keynotes turn these expectations into concrete recruitment, management and retention playbooks.

Marketing to Gen Z means earning cultural credibility rather than buying attention: creator-first content, authenticity, values that show up in action, and native presence on the platforms they own. Benoît’s keynotes give marketing teams a practical framework to stay relevant without trying too hard.

Benoît has spoken at leading European stages including Cannes Lions, D&AD London, Brand Week Istanbul, Eurobest, Pandox Stockholm, FIBO Köln, BAM Youngster Brussels and UNFOLD Festival, and for organisations such as PwC and RTL Belgium.

Benoît delivers keynotes and workshops across Europe, on-site or remote, in English, French and Dutch. Each talk is tailored to the audience’s sector and context.

To book Benoît Vancauwenberghe, contact the 20Something team via the Contact page. Share the date, location, format (keynote or workshop) and audience profile to receive a tailored proposal.