Event surveys are an essential tool for gathering valuable feedback for future events and insights from attendees, participants, or stakeholders after the completion of an event. Whether it’s a conference, seminar, workshop, trade show, festival, or any other gathering, conducting post-event surveys allows organizers to evaluate the event’s success, identify areas of improvement, and gauge attendee satisfaction. These surveys capture the experiences, opinions, and suggestions of those who attended or were involved in the event, providing organizers with actionable data to enhance future events.
In this discussion, we will explore the definition of event surveys, provide some event survey question examples, and delve into the advantages they offer event organizers and stakeholders. Understanding the significance of event surveys can empower organizers to refine their events and ensure they align better with the needs and expectations of their target audience for the next event.
What are Event Surveys?
Event surveys are surveys conducted to gain information about the effectiveness of an event. Attendee feedback received for these surveys can be fruitful in making significant changes in the structure of the next event and eventually boost satisfaction rates amongst event attendees. Feedback for events conducted for customers/clients or employees can be an informative source which event organizers can adhere to so that with each event, their performance enhances.
As an event organizer, there is a certain degree of assumption about the execution of the event – whether previous attendees were satisfied with the way it was organized or not, whether the objective of the event was fulfilled or not, and other such factors. This assumption can be an obstacle for the growth of the events and can cause damage to their market reputation.
Event surveys, online or offline, are extremely insightful sources to learn about the expectations and demands of the target audience and cater to those expectations. Most market experts would suggest conducting an event survey research via email, website intercept, social media and other offline channels as well.
Many event managers opine that event surveys often help them in retaining existing customers for a significant time period, getting new customers onboard, boosting customer satisfaction, analyzing employee engagement etc.
Learn more: Survey Distribution Methods
Types of Event Surveys
There are several types of event surveys that organizers can use to gather valuable feedback and insights from attendees and stakeholders. Some common types of event surveys include:
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Pre-event Surveys:
A pre-event survey is conducted before the event to understand attendees’ expectations, interests, and preferences. Pre-event survey questions help organizers tailor the event to meet the needs of participants better.
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Post-event Surveys:
Post-event surveys are conducted after the event to measure attendee satisfaction, gather post-event feedback on specific event elements, and identify areas for improvement with post-event survey questions.
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Mid-event Surveys:
A mid-event survey is conducted during the event to collect real-time event feedback from attendees, allowing organizers to assess event attendees’ thoughts, session engagement, and event logistics while the event is ongoing.
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Session Feedback Surveys:
These surveys focus on gathering feedback about individual sessions or workshops, helping organizers identify successful content and areas for improvement.
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Event Logistics Surveys:
These surveys evaluate the logistical aspects of the event, including the registration process, venue facilities, transportation, and other operational elements.
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Virtual Events Surveys:
Specifically designed for online or virtual events, these surveys evaluate the virtual event platform, engagement levels, and overall virtual event experience.
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Event App Surveys:
If an event app is used, these surveys focus on the app’s usability, features, and overall impact on the event experience.
By utilizing the appropriate types of event surveys, organizers can collect feedback and data that enable them to make informed decisions, improve next event planning, and create more engaging and successful events in the future.
15 Event Survey Question Examples
Events vary in their nature and execution. Each event requires a different set of survey questions to ask(multiple choice question, open ended question,) and here, we will discuss the top 3 types of events and their corresponding sample questions.
1. Event Survey Questions for Public Events:
Public events such as exhibitions, roadshows, auctions etc. are sources for organizations to interact with their customers or direct associates. Event managers can learn about factors of the event that attract customers who keep coming back so that future events can be made more successful.
- How satisfied are you with our exhibition/roadshow/auction?
- Very Satisfied
- Satisfied
- Neutral
- Dissatisfied
- Very Dissatisfied
This Likert Scale question can be included in a post-public event survey to learn about the average satisfaction levels amongst all those who attended the event.
- Considering your entire experience at our exhibition, how likely are you to recommend attending our future exhibitions to your friends and colleagues?
This Net Promoter Score question can be added to an event survey to understand the event’s popularity and event attendees’ loyalty.
- What did you appreciate the most at the event?
- Product demos
- Variation of exhibits
- Staff
- Food and Beverages
- Other
Knowing what worked with the target market is important. Inquire about the sections of the event which attendees appreciated the most.
- What did you appreciate the least at the event?
- Product demos
- Variation of exhibits
- Staff
- Food and Beverages
- Other
Knowing what can be improved can be constructive for upcoming events. Include this question to understand which factors of the event can be made better for the audience.
- Will you be attending our events in the future?
- Yes
- Maybe
- No
An individual who has already attended and appreciated an event is more likely to attend future events than absolutely new individuals. Analyze how many of such actual attendees exist from a recently conducted event.
2. Event Survey Questions for Seminars or Conferences:
Seminars and conferences are platforms where well-experienced professionals gather to share their wealth of knowledge and experience.
Learn more: Conference Feedback Surveys & event feedback survey questions
- How satisfied are you with the seminar/conference?
- Very Satisfied
- Satisfied
- Neutral
- Dissatisfied
- Very Dissatisfied
A Likert Scale example such as this can be asked to the participants of the conference to understand how many of them are satisfied with their experience at the conference and how many of them feel that the conference was disappointing.
- Considering your entire experience at our seminar/conference, how likely are you to recommend attending our future conferences to your friends and colleagues?
It is important for those who conduct events such as conferences to learn about mediums that are most effective in getting attendees onboard. Analyzing this question can help the management in deciding the best promotional platform for upcoming conferences.
- Where did you learn about this conference?
- Brochure
- Flyer
- Ad in
- Sales Call
- Conference Website
- Referral
- Fax
- Email / Newsletter
- Other
It is important for those who conduct events such as conferences to learn about mediums that are most effective in getting attendees onboard. Analyzing this question can help the management in deciding the best promotional platform for upcoming conferences.
Learn more: Seminar Evaluation Surveys
- Did the conference meet your expectations?
- Yes, completely
- Yes, but not only till a certain extent
- No
Since a conference or a seminar involves a considerable number of experienced individuals, its purpose and execution should be made clear from the very beginning. The answers to these questions can be an eye-opener for the event managers and they can enhance their purposes from the next seminar/conference onwards.
- Please share your satisfaction rates with the following factors of the conference:
| Very Satisfied | Satisfied | Neutral | Dissatisfied | Very Dissatisfied | |
| Structure of the Conference | |||||
| Quality of Speakers | |||||
| Time alloted for discussions | |||||
| Topics covered |
All the pointers mentioned in the Matrix survey question are valuable for the evolution of a conference. Similar such pointers can be added in the question to gather as much satisfaction related information as possible.
3. Event Survey Questions for Professional Training Forums:
Well-conducted training forums help professionals in expanding their skills and create better opportunities for their careers. Here are five very critical questions that a training organizer should include in their post-training session:
Learn more: Training Evaluation Surveys
- How satisfied are you with the various aspects of the training forum?
| Very Satisfied | Satisfied | Neutral | Dissatisfied | Very Dissatisfied | |
| Topic of the training program | |||||
| Relevance of the topics | |||||
| Knowledge and experience of the training professionals | |||||
| Training program options | |||||
| Overall training program |
- Did the training program help you polish your skills?
- Yes
- Maybe
- No
The training program should be constructive towards the individual’s career. Include this question to understand whether the program was worth attending or not.
- Considering your entire experience in our training program, how likely are you to recommend attending our training program to your friends and colleagues?
The answers to this Net Promoter Score question can be evaluated to understand the loyalty of people who attended the training program and will help organizations in working towards improving loyalty levels among customers.
- Overall, the value of training compared with the price paid is:
- Excellent
- Very good
- Good
- Fair
- Poor
- Not sure
Individuals invest a significant amount of money in attending training programs. Expensive and unprofessional training programs can be destructive for the organization managing the training program. Gather data from the people who attend the training session about whether they found the program to be value for money or not. Managers can analyze the data and decide whether the price of upcoming training programs can be reduced to minimize the cost complaint of the attendees.
LEARN ABOUT: Speaker evaluation form
Advantages of Event Surveys
There are many benefits of conducting an event survey but there are 5 benefits which will make event managers conduct event surveys after every internal or external event.
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Effective sources of data collection:
Sending out an event survey can be an effective method of data collection for future events. Information about whether the event was well organized or not, whether the speakers were knowledgeable or not, was the staff at the event well-behaved or not etc. can be received using an event survey.
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Put in savvy efforts for events:
On the basis of the received constructive feedback and the analysis of the gathered information, event managers can plan upcoming events in such a way that cultivated efforts are invested into making the event successful.
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Work towards improving customer satisfaction:
Every organization strives to improve customer satisfaction. Organizers can directly interact with customers after events in the interest of organizational benefits.
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Boost future events attendance:
Gain insights about the event from the attendees and make efforts to improve the quality of upcoming events. Attendees appreciate the efforts of organizations to know their opinions and feedback which can generate positive impressions and may enhance attendance for future events.
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Optimize money invested in the events:
Events require a considerable amount of money. By understanding what the target market requires, event managers can focus on organizing events which comply with those requirements. This way, there is a higher likelihood of attendees appreciating the event which can prove to be worthy of every penny invested in the event.
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Event survey for future events:
Conducting event surveys is paramount for future events as they provide invaluable insights into attendee satisfaction, preferences, and areas of improvement. Attendee feedback gathered through these surveys allows event marketers to understand what aspects of the event resonated with participants and what can be enhanced to meet their expectations.
Event surveys are pivotal in shaping successful events by providing feedback, insights, and data-driven information that empower organizers to continually improve and create more meaningful experiences for participants and stakeholders.
Event Surveys with QuestionPro
Leveraging the power of advanced survey software like QuestionPro can significantly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of event surveys. QuestionPro offers a comprehensive and user-friendly platform that empowers event organizers to quickly create, distribute, and analyze surveys.
With QuestionPro survey software, event event sponsors can access a wide range of professional survey templates tailored for various events. These templates cover diverse aspects, including event satisfaction, speaker evaluation, session feedback, logistics assessment, etc.
Adopting QuestionPro survey software and its templates can significantly enhance the event survey evaluation process. Armed with valuable insights, event organizers can make informed decisions, fine-tune planning future events, and deliver exceptional experiences that cater precisely to the desires and expectations of their audience. By embracing this data-driven approach, event organizers can ensure their events’ success and continued growth while building stronger connections with participants and stakeholders.
Conclusion
An event survey can play a crucial role in any event’s success and continuous improvement. By seeking positive feedback from attendees and stakeholders, event organizers can gain valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of their gatherings. This constructive feedback-driven approach allows organizers to identify areas that require attention, make informed decisions, and ultimately deliver more engaging and satisfying experiences to participants.
Event surveys are indispensable tools for any event organizer striving to create memorable and impactful gatherings. The insights gained from these surveys empower organizers to elevate their events, stay ahead of the curve, and meet the ever-evolving needs of their audience. Embracing a feedback-oriented approach will undoubtedly lead to tremendous success and satisfaction for organizers and event participants.
