Last updated on Jul 28, 2024

You've just hosted a successful live event. How do you ensure you gather valuable feedback from attendees?

Congratulations on hosting a successful live event! The lights have dimmed, the crowd has dispersed, and the high of a successful production is palpable. But before you pack up and move on to the next project, it's crucial to gather feedback from your attendees. This information is invaluable for understanding what worked, what didn't, and how you can improve future events. Here's how you can ensure you capture those essential insights from your audience.

1 Email Surveys

Email surveys are a powerful tool to collect feedback post-event. You can design a survey with specific questions that delve into various aspects of the event experience. Use a friendly and appreciative tone in your email to encourage participation. Make sure the survey is concise to respect your attendees' time, and consider offering an incentive for completing it, such as a discount on future events or a chance to win a prize. This not only shows your gratitude but also increases the likelihood of receiving detailed and honest feedback.

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Maurice Gerardi

The past 25 years have been an amazing journey, full of incredible people, great clients, rich blessings, and countless opportunities for Omega Design Events & Nite Mix Entertainment.
Remember being handed multi-page tests in school? They were overwhelming. If your attendee just had an amazing experience, few things will put them off like an exhaustive (and exhausting) list of questions that look time-consuming. Keep it short and simple. That may mean breaking up questions into chunks or categories and asking only two to three questions per category.
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2 Live Polling

To capture real-time reactions, live polling during the event can be incredibly effective. Utilize event apps or SMS-based polling systems to ask attendees questions while the memory of the experience is fresh. This immediate feedback can provide insights into what is resonating with your audience in the moment and allows you to adjust any immediate issues that might arise during the event itself. Ensure the questions are straightforward and the polling process is user-friendly to encourage maximum participation.

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3 Social Media

Social media platforms are a goldmine for informal feedback. Monitor your event's hashtag and other social mentions to gather candid responses from attendees. Engage with them by responding to comments and direct messages to show that you value their input. This two-way communication not only helps you collect feedback but also strengthens your relationship with the audience. Remember to look out for both positive comments and constructive criticism.

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Stan Kruss

Exhibit Stands Proven to Win Customers. | CEO at Expo Centric | I built Australia's leading exhibition stand company from 15 years of industry excellence. | Immerse your customers with experiential trade shows.
To gather valuable feedback, distribute post-event surveys with specific questions, offer incentives for participation, host focus groups or follow-up interviews, monitor social media and online reviews, and engage attendees through email or phone calls. Use this feedback to assess what worked well and identify areas for future enhancement.
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4 Focus Groups

For in-depth feedback, consider organizing focus groups with a selection of attendees after the event. These small group discussions can provide detailed insights and allow you to explore specific aspects of the event in greater depth. Choose a diverse group of participants to get a wide range of perspectives. Facilitate an open and honest dialogue by asking open-ended questions and encouraging participants to share their thoughts freely.

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Jonathan A.

Talent Development | Live Events | Community Builder
Utilizing focus groups can be an excellent way to garner feedback from event attendees. Focus groups can provide you opportunities to seek more clarity in the experience since often times post event surveys are character limited or quite frankly most people won't take a lot of time to provide in depth responses. By utilizing a focus group you can get more detailed information about your events outcomes and successes, seek real time clarification and get a better sense of attendees true feelings on the event. Focus groups can also be an excellent way to also get feedback from a more niche community of attendees such as exhibitors, sponsors folks with mobility impairments, etc. that can assist you in gaining insight on unique perspectives.
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5 Observation Teams

Deploying observation teams during the event can provide you with unfiltered feedback on attendee behavior and engagement. These teams, made up of staff or volunteers, should be trained to discreetly observe and take notes on different elements of the event, from logistics to audience reactions. After the event, compile their observations to identify patterns and areas for improvement that might not be captured through direct feedback methods.

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6 Thank You Notes

Sending personalized thank you notes can be an excellent opportunity to ask for feedback. Express your gratitude for their attendance and invite them to share their thoughts on the event. This personal touch can make attendees feel valued and more inclined to provide you with their insights. Make it easy for them by including a link to a feedback form or providing contact information where they can reach out with their thoughts.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Lionel Mares

Budget Advocate | Neighborhood Advocate | Transit Advocate | Ethics Advocate | #Democracy Needs to be Heard
One thing I’ve found helpful is to conduct post event surveys. Conducting outreach and reaching out to people who attended the event. Collecting data after an event is helpful because it can provide valuable insights about how attendees feel about the event.
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You've just hosted a successful live event. How do you ensure you gather valuable feedback from attendees?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Email Surveys

2 Live Polling

3 Social Media

4 Focus Groups

5 Observation Teams

6 Thank You Notes

7 Here’s what else to consider

Live Events

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You've just hosted a successful live event. How do you ensure you gather valuable feedback from attendees?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Email Surveys

2 Live Polling

3 Social Media

4 Focus Groups

5 Observation Teams

6 Thank You Notes

7 Here’s what else to consider

Live Events

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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