Datamonitor is a global market analyst group that has identified ten “megatrends” that the company believes will impact, influence, and shape new products and services in the coming years. Review the ten megatrends and imagine the implications for parks and recreation.

Convenience:
Any thing that can save time or provide a “quick fix”.

Health:
90% of consumers feel that improving health is important.

Age complexity:
Adults begin to act more youthful while younger consumers appear to be older than they really are because of greater spending leverage.

Gender complexity:
The traditional values, attitudes, preferences and behaviors based upon the two different genders is becoming increasingly becoming blurred.

Lifestage complexity:
Datamonitor identified 3 of the most basic differences influencing the future as (1) the extended time people may live life as a single; (2) extended life as an older adult; (3) and the presence of boomerang children of all ages.

Income complexity:
Lower income and mid-income people are increasingly trying to live luxuriously on a budget.

Individualism:
More than half of US and European consumers felt that brands that matched their attitudes and outlook on life was an important consideration.

Sensory:
People today are looking for products and services to supply either new or more intense experiences leading to a willingness to try new things.

Comfort:
Meatloaf and macaroni and cheese in upscale restaurants?

Connectivity:
The escalating need to become more “connected” is the last megatrend.

Check out how parks and recreation can adapt to these changing trends by click here. Thank you to the California Park & Recreation Society’s TrendScan.