""We always ground ourselves in the ethos that we want to platform young people," says Zafar, who took part in dancing and hula hooping with attendees. "We leveraged a lot of elements that made this an anti-conference conference, in the sense that we actually had people dance outside, climb on tables, and make those moments of joy a lot more visible.""
"ZCON is "the anti-conference, conference," Shaina Zafar, an executive at UTA Next Gen, tells Teen Vogue."
ZCON took over Los Angeles as a Gen Z-focused conference hosted by United Talent Agency's Next Gen. The event blended internet-famous creators, DJs, live performances, ice cream, and designated "recess" dance breaks with structured conversations about diversity, accessibility, and authentic representation. Programming included creators, media professionals, and Paralympic athletes who shared perspectives on self-care, online culture, and access to professional opportunities. The atmosphere replaced traditional networking with playful interactions like dance parties and hula hooping, enabling attendees to connect more organically. The event emphasized making moments of joy visible while centering platforming of young voices.
Read at Teen Vogue
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