Are we partying enough?: FastCompany Innovation Festival panel recap
At this year’s FastCompany Innovation Festival, Paperless Post co-founders James Hirschfeld and Alexa Hirschfeld gathered alongside brand and culture leaders for a lively conversation about a surprising question: Are we partying enough?
The panel, titled “Party Like It’s 1999! How to Reclaim Your Presence, Build Your Brand, and Boost Your Health with Meaningful Offline Events,” tackled how Americans are gathering less, why that matters for both brands and individuals, and how to bring people back together in ways that spark real joy.
Part fireside chat and part strategy session, the discussion featured the Hirschfelds alongside Erika Veurink, brand strategist and founder of EV Salon; Mélanie Masarin, founder of nonalcoholic beverage brand Ghia; and Sue Chan, founder and chief creative officer of Care Of Chan. Together, they unpacked how brands can create unforgettable activations, why Gen Z not partying as much as previous generations is reshaping culture, and how anyone—whether for your company or as a casual host—can throw gatherings that matter.
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Take an experience-first approach
While social media impressions can be tempting to chase, the real magic happens when hosts prioritize the IRL experience.
“We like to plan our events with an experience-first perspective,” Sue said. “When brands hire us, they want an Instagrammable moment. However, we found that if we focus on making it an incredible experience, guests are going to remember that more. And because they’re having so much fun and are engaged, they’re going to naturally take photos and post to socials.”
Sue highlighted Care of Chan’s recent J.Crew influencer trip to Puglia, Italy, as an example of how brands can lean into authenticity. “When we plan an influencer trip, it’s not about just doing a beautiful dinner in Puglia,” she said. “It’s about, ‘What is Puglia known for? What are the pastas they’re known for? The ceramics? How do we create an experience that’s quintessential to that place?’ That’s us focusing on the experience and not so much on doing something that’s Instagrammable.”
Prioritize IRL in a digital landscape
The panelists also spoke to how the digital-first world has made in-person events more valuable than ever.
“In this really saturated landscape online, digital ad spends are getting more expensive, but you’re seeing less conversion,” Sue said. “I still believe that in-person activations and experiences are going to continue to thrive in a digital era. Because when you get a product into a customer’s hands, and they’re touching and experiencing it, that’s so much more powerful than anything you’re seeing online. Especially as AI slop is taking over more and more.”
Erika added that building moments where guests can be present is just as important. “When we host events, we make sure we have a photographer to get images back within 24 hours,” she said. “That tells people they can put their phone down, and they can get a gorgeous photo and be in the element.”
Rethink the role of alcohol
Another theme that surfaced was how parties are evolving as cultural attitudes toward drinking change. Gen Z not partying in the same ways as older generations has helped fuel the rise of mocktails, nonalcoholic spirits, and menus that make everyone feel welcome. The panelists agreed: alcohol can be part of the fun, but it doesn’t need to be the centerpiece of a great gathering.
“Gen Z is one of the first generations to come into a party and see what nonalcoholic drinks are at the bar,” Mélanie said. She explained that Ghia was founded in part to offer alternatives that make gatherings feel inclusive, regardless of whether someone is drinking. “There are so many stages in life and reasons for not drinking,” she said. “We’re trying to decondition people from thinking of alcohol as being the life of the party.”
That shift is showing up across hosting norms. “What I’ve found from hosting my salons is that the drinks aren’t the reason people come,” Erika said. Sue agreed, noting: “We’ve made it a standard that at any of our events, we always have one or a couple of nonalcoholic options.”
Embrace “unconventional” party activities
Another shift in party culture is the growing appetite for gatherings that break the mold of the traditional party. “When you’re talking about partying, it doesn’t mean it has to happen at night or it has to have alcohol or be on a dance floor,” Sue said.
James reflected on how much has changed since Paperless Post began. “We started Paperless Post in 2009,” he said. “It’s interesting to see a whole new crop of things and reasons to get together that were not around when we started. People are having parties where they’re sharing their favorite things, or they’re having supper clubs, or they’re getting together with people they don’t necessarily know.”
Both James and Erika pointed to the rising popularity of “PowerPoint parties”—gatherings where guests prepare fun presentations on topics they love, then share them with friends. Sue also mentioned activities that make connections more natural, like volunteering as a group or joining a sports club. “It’s not about necessarily having to go up to someone and make conversation,” she said. “Instead, you’re doing this activity together, and that will help you connect with others.”
The panelists agreed that these new formats can lessen the pressure to throw something elaborate. “People should lower the standards of what’s required to be a party,” Alexa said. “It doesn’t need to be some grand event. It doesn’t have to be expensive.”
For anyone looking to pull together a simple but memorable gathering, Paperless Post Flyer makes it easy to set the tone. With customizable, textable invites, you can rally friends for something casual—no matter how unconventional the activity.
Make it about relationships and connecting
As much as the panel touched on trends in party formats and brand strategies, the conversation kept circling back to something more fundamental: gatherings are really about people. Parties, dinners, and community events aren’t just for entertainment—they’re for building stronger ties, fostering empathy, and having meaningful moments face-to-face.
“Relationships are built in person,” Alexa said. “And the quality of relationships is one of the most important indicators of happiness and longevity.”
Sue echoed this with a note of urgency: “I think the stats about people not partying—which is very sad in my opinion—means we’re not connecting as humans. Not to say that a potluck is going to create world peace, but I think when you’re not connecting with others, you’re not seeing them as human, and then the empathy evaporates.”
Get your party on with Paperless Post
So, are we partying enough? Probably not. But the good news is that it doesn’t take much to start. Whether you’re planning a brand activation or just brainstorming how to be more social with friends, small, intentional gatherings can go a long way.
And if you’re ready to bring people together, Paperless Post Flyer makes it easy. With Flyer’s one-of-a-kind, customizable invitation templates, you can match your event’s vibe, add your own photos or GIFs, and send a textable link in minutes. From supper clubs to PowerPoint parties, to birthdays and bachelorette parties, Flyer helps you set the tone and get everyone excited before they even walk in the door.
Turn your favorite group chat into an IRL party in minutes with textable invites that match your aesthetic. 
