Formulating an Event Satisfaction Survey: Must-ask Questions

An event satisfaction survey commonly known as a post-event survey serves as a vital conduit between event organisers and participants, offering a valuable opportunity to gather insights that go beyond the surface of attendee experiences. In the dynamic landscape of event planning, understanding the perspectives, preferences, and critiques of those who contribute to an event’s success is paramount. But some of the burning questions are:

• Why is this feedback so important?
• What are some sample event survey questions?
• How do you structure the survey so that people actually respond?

Let’s delve into these questions and why an event satisfaction survey is indispensable for both organisers and attendees alike.

What is an Event Survey?

Event surveys are structured questionnaires created to gather feedback from participants, utilising a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended questions. These surveys can be distributed to attendees before, during, or after the event, typically shared in a digital format.

• Pre-event surveys prove beneficial when an organisation aims to understand attendees and their expectations for the upcoming event.

• Mid-event surveys address an organisation’s immediate need to assess the ongoing event’s success and convey to attendees that their feedback is appreciated.

• Post-event surveys offer valuable insights into the event’s strengths and areas for improvement, enabling an organiser to refine the  processes for future occasions.

It is essential to extend surveys to various stakeholders, including sponsors, attendees, and event staff, as each group offers distinctive perspectives on different facets of the event. Ensuring that everyone who interacted with the event is surveyed helps capture a comprehensive range of insights to assess and enhance various aspects of the event experience.

Whether the objective is to construct a compelling case for attracting event sponsors, enhance the overall virtual event experience, or make real-time improvements to attendee satisfaction, event surveys unveil valuable insights, providing organisers with a glimpse into the sentiments of the participants.

How To Write, Structure, & Send an Event Satisfaction Survey

Here are some recommendations that will help in the creation and implementation of an event satisfaction survey. 

1: Define Clear Objectives

Clearly outline the goals and objectives of an event survey at each stage. Tailoring questions ensures that an organiser gathers the most relevant and actionable insights at every stage.

2: Keep Surveys Concise and Accessible

Respect participants’ time by keeping surveys concise. Participants are more likely to provide thoughtful responses when surveys are easily accessible and don’t demand an excessive time commitment. Focus on key aspects and prioritise the most critical questions.

3: Mix Question Types

Use a mix of question types to gather comprehensive feedback. Incorporate multiple-choice questions, rating scales, and open-ended questions. This approach provides a well-rounded view of participant perspectives at every stage.

4: Don’t Require Responses

Requiring answers to every single question is self-defeating, because it means that respondents will have to complete every question on the page for an organiser to see any of their responses. Any data you gather is good even if people skip a few questions.

5: Act on Feedback and Communicate

Demonstrate a commitment to improvement by acting on the feedback received. Share insights gained from surveys with relevant stakeholders, and communicate how participant input has influenced decision-making. This not only reinforces the value of feedback but also fosters a sense of community and collaboration around event improvement.

Getting honest feedback from attendees is the best way to improve that experience and achieve company objectives.

Examples of Post-Event Survey Questions

Overall Event Satisfaction examples:

• How would you rate your overall satisfaction with the event on a scale of 1 to 10?
• What aspects of the event did you find most enjoyable?
• What was your overall impression of the event space?
• Rate the location on a scale of 1-5

Content and Sessions Examples:

• Were the topics and sessions aligned with your expectations?
• What was your overall rating of the sessions on a scale of 1-5?
• Which speaker or session was the most valuable to you?
• Did you think the sessions were too long, too short, or just right?
• Did the event duration feel appropriate, too short, or too long?

Networking Opportunities Examples:

• Would you have liked more networking time?
• How would you rate the networking opportunities on a scale of 1-5?

Engagement and Interaction:

• How engaged did you feel throughout the event on a scale of 1-5?
• Did the virtual format meet your expectations, and why or why not?
• Were the interactive elements (Q&A sessions, polls, etc.) effective?
• Did the event contribute to your knowledge or skill development?
• How would you rate staff interaction on a scale of 1-5?

Additional Comments and Suggestions:

• What would you change to make this event even better next year?
• Do you have any questions or comments for us?
• How likely are you to recommend this event to a friend or colleague?
• Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience?
• Do you have any suggestions for improving future events?

These questions cover a range of aspects, from overall satisfaction to specific details about content and engagement. Feedback is good. Every participant in an event, whether they are involved behind the scenes or on the front-end, has something valuable to teach an event organiser.

Survey Monkey suggests that participants are more inclined to complete shorter surveys. Therefore, it’s advisable to limit your survey to one to ten questions.

To enhance response rates, consider placing shorter and more straightforward questions at the beginning of the survey, reserving those requiring more time and thought for the latter part. This approach creates a perception of minimal time commitment for respondents, encouraging them to continue and complete the survey with a positive experience.

Conclusion 

In the intricate realm of event planning, the importance of an event satisfaction survey cannot be overstated. These surveys serve as a bridge connecting organisers and participants, offering profound insights that extend beyond the surface of attendee experiences. 

Implementing post-event surveys involves not only understanding their significance but also adopting a strategic approach. These guidelines empower organisers to extract valuable insights at every stage of the event process, fostering continuous improvement. In essence, an event satisfaction survey is not just a tool for feedback; it is also a catalyst for growth, improvement, and a richer connection between organisers and participants.

About Eventscase

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