60 post-event survey questions to increase event retention

To ensure your event attendees keep coming back to your meetups, conferences, webinars, or virtual events, it’s important to ask for their honest feedback.

Getting a clear idea of what people liked and didn’t like about an event can help you make the next one even better. Creating a post-event survey that asks the right questions is one way to collect that valuable feedback.

What is an event survey?

An event survey is a questionnaire that organizers send to guests to gather feedback after an event — whether a conference, webinar, virtual summit, or any other kind of gathering.

No matter the event size or format, an event survey can help you better understand your attendees. By analyzing their responses and looking for trends, you can understand what’s working about your event, as well as what you should improve for future events.

Why do post-event surveys matter?

Post-event surveys can help you measure your event’s effectiveness. Whether you’re asking attendees who their favorite speaker was, how they liked the venue, or how you can better facilitate networking opportunities, using surveys allows you to find out what you did right and what you could improve.

You can then use this feedback to better plan future events. Include questions that gather attendees’ thoughts on various aspects of your event:

• Speakers
• Food and beverage
• Location
• Entertainment
• Schedule

You can then gather actionable, data-driven insights you can use to amplify attendance retention, generate positive word of mouth, and improve the impact of each event.

What questions should be included in an event survey?

The right questions can help you gauge the success of the event overall. You should focus on gathering feedback from different target audiences, including in-person attendees, volunteers, sponsors and partners, speakers and VIPs, employees, and virtual attendees. 

Each of these groups will have their own opinions and perspectives, and you’ll need to consider how to gather information from each. You might want to send separate surveys, or you could design a single survey with conditional sections that display only to specific types of participants.

General post-event survey questions

Getting a clear picture of your event as a whole requires obtaining feedback on the different aspects of your event. General post-event survey questions will help illuminate what went right and what went wrong from all angles.

• On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate the signup process for this event?
  • Question type: rating scale
  • Signup is often the first impression attendees get of your event. For attendees and volunteers, a simple process instills confidence that the rest of your event will run smoothly and that your team is well prepared.
• Do you think the event was structured well?
  • Question type: yes/no, with an open-ended field for an explanation
  • Your event timeline and layout can determine whether everything runs smoothly. Use this question to find out if you need to troubleshoot your structure.
• Did the event meet all of your expectations?
  • Question type: yes/no, with an open-ended field for an explanation
  • Whether respondents paid to attend or worked the event behind the scenes, everyone involved had expectations for what the event would be like. It’s important to find out whether you’ve met the expectations of attendees, employees, and other guests.
• On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate the event overall?
  • Question type: rating scale
  • This question gives you a big-picture view of your event’s success.
• On a scale of 1–10, how likely are you to recommend the event to a friend?
  • Question type: rating scale
  • Recommendations are essential to the success of future events. Word-of-mouth marketing can boost your attendance metrics and increase your event’s ROI.
• How can we improve the event for next time?
  • Question type: open-ended
  • Offer respondents the opportunity to provide honest feedback. Watch for trends in the answers — if several people mention the same issue, it’s a strong indication that you should address the concern.
• On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate the location of the event?
  • Question type: rating scale
  • Venues have a major effect on an event’s success. They set the tone and mood, and the location impacts attendance logistics and ease of travel. Asking your attendees to evaluate the event location can help you decide whether to keep the same venue or find a new one.
• What was the most valuable part of the event for you?
  • Question type: open-ended
  • Finding out what creates the most value for your respondents can help you shape future events.
• On a scale of 1–10, how satisfied were you with the event?
  • Question type: rating scale
  • Rather than rating the event itself, this question focuses on respondent enjoyment. This question offers a more personal look into your event’s impact.
• Would you like to learn about participating in next year’s event?
  • Question type: yes/no
  • This question is a direct indicator of your retention rate. Whether an attendee, a volunteer, or someone else is answering, this question helps your team measure how many participants you’re likely to retain from one event to the next.
• Do you have any additional suggestions for this event?
  • Question type: open-ended
  • Respondents may have ideas you’ve never considered. Asking for suggestions can be a great way to keep your event relevant and ensure it’s creating value.

Questions for event attendees

Event attendees are your top priority. They’re the ones who’ve invested in your event and who will ultimately determine its success. Gauging their experience will help inform future events.

• What made you decide to attend the event?
  • Question type: open-ended or multiple-choice
  • Finding the why for guests is an essential part of increasing attendance. Format this question with specific options, or give attendees the opportunity to describe their motivation in their own words.
• Would you attend the event again next year?
  • Question type: yes/no, with an open-ended field for an explanation
  • This question gives you a straightforward answer about whether attendees are interested in coming back to the event and lets them explain why.
• Would you recommend the event to a friend or colleague?
  • Question type: yes/no
  • Turning attendees into advocates for your event is a great way to increase attendance. Post-event survey questions like this offer a clear indication of how effectively you’re achieving this goal.
• On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate the cost of the event?
  • Question type: rating scale
  • Event cost is a significant factor in people’s decision to attend. Knowing how costs impact your guests’ experience can help you optimize fees without negatively impacting your budget.
• What topics would you like to see covered next year?
  • Question type: open-ended
  • Different speakers and topics will attract different attendees. By surveying guests about what topics they’re interested in, you can keep event content relevant.
• What was your biggest takeaway from the event?
  • Question type: open-ended
  • Your attendees’ takeaways may differ depending on their expectations. Asking this question helps you determine what people find valuable and important about your event so you know what to focus on in the future.
• On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate the speakers?
  • Question type: rating scale
  • Your event speakers are responsible for keeping attendees engaged. Post-event survey questions about speakers can help you decide who to involve in your next event.
• Was the event a good networking opportunity for you?
  • Question type: yes/no, with an open-ended field for an explanation
  • Networking opportunities are an important part of business and professional events. Gathering feedback can help you figure out how to further facilitate networking at future events.
• Did the event provide you with valuable information or education?
  • Question type: yes/no
  • If the purpose of your event was to provide educational information, this question offers a straightforward answer on whether the event met your goals.
• Would you like to learn about volunteering opportunities for future events?
  • Question type: yes/no
  • Converting attendees into volunteers takes retention to the next level. New volunteers add to your available workforce and indicate a positive guest experience.
• On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate the food and refreshments provided?
  • Question type: rating scale
  • Just like with weddings, the food and drinks you provide at your event are an important factor shaping attendees’ experiences. Getting their feedback can influence your choice of vendors for next year’s event.
• Was the event length what you expected, or was it too long/short?
  • Question type: multiple-choice
  • Maintaining attendee engagement is key to any successful event. If your event is too long or too short, or the session length isn’t quite right, attendees may lose interest or feel like the value provided wasn’t sufficient.
• How friendly were the event staff and volunteers?
  • Question type: Likert scale
  • Your staff and volunteers act as representatives of your organization. Gauging how well they interacted with attendees will help you pinpoint problems in training, execution, or communication.
• Please rank the following event elements: speaker, networking, food, location, etc.
  • Question type: ranking
  • Allowing attendees to rank which parts of your event they liked most can identify which areas have the most room for improvement and which are standouts.
• Was this your first time attending one of our events?
  • Question type: yes/no
  • This post-event survey question is essential for calculating your retention rate. Having an idea of how many attendees were new to your event compared to your total attendance can help you identify shortcomings in your ability to get guests to return for multiple events.

Questions for event volunteers

Many events rely on volunteers to work the event and ensure things run smoothly. Volunteers are your eyes and ears during your event, and surveying them after the event can help you gather essential information on how to improve their experience and the event overall.

• Would you recommend volunteering for this event to a friend?
  • Question type: yes/no, with an open-ended field for an explanation
  • Building your volunteer base is easier when you leverage recommendations from past volunteers. Use this question to identify potential champions to help you build your volunteer force.
• On a scale of 1–10, how likely are you to volunteer with us again?
  • Question type: rating scale
  • This question offers volunteers a range of numbers that represent their experience, rather than requiring a simple yes or no answer. Looking closely at this data can help you determine whether your volunteer program needs an overhaul.
• Did you feel well prepared to assist in this event?
  • Question type: yes/no
  • Not having the information or tools needed to succeed can be stressful for volunteers. Use this question to find out if you’re properly supporting them.
• Did you feel that this event was a positive volunteer experience?
  • Question type: yes/no, with an open-ended field for an explanation
  • This question measures the effectiveness of your volunteer processes and highlights what’s going well and what can be improved.
• Do you have any recommendations on how to make future events better for volunteers?
  • Question type: open-ended
  • While you may have an idea of what works best for your volunteers, getting suggestions from the folks doing the hands-on work can help you discover new tactics and strategies you may have never considered.

Questions for sponsors and partners

Maintaining relationships with event sponsors and partners is key to building your event budget. Sponsors and partners provide the financial and logistical support you need to keep events running. Post-event survey questions let you find out how likely they are to return and support a future event.

• Did this event meet your expectations as a sponsor/partner?
  • Question type: yes/no, with an open-ended field for an explanation
  • Each sponsor or partner will have their own expectations for how an event will benefit them. This question tells you if you’ve met your end of the deal from their perspective.
• What would add value to you as a sponsor/partner for future events?
  • Question type: open-ended
  • Sponsors and partners likely already have an idea of what they’re looking to gain from your event. If you were unable to fully meet their expectations, this question offers an opportunity for them to provide ideas for future improvements.
• On a scale of 1–10, how relevant was the audience to your business/industry?
  • Question type: rating scale
  • Partners often choose to sponsor events to connect with event audiences. Seeing how well a certain partner felt they aligned with attendees can help you make more informed decisions about which sponsors best fit future events.
• How would you describe the ROI this event provided for you as a sponsor/partner?
  • Question type: open-ended
  • Asking post-event survey questions around ROI can help you gauge how well your event performed and where event value lies for partners.
• If you’ve sponsored/partnered with us previously, how did this event compare to past experiences?
  • Question type: Likert scale
  • Getting feedback from sponsors you’ve worked with previously is helpful in determining the long-term success of your events strategy. Wherever partners rate the event, on a scale from much better than past events to much worse, this question will help you evaluate and improve your events moving forward.
• Would you be interested in sponsoring/partnering in future events?
  • Question type: yes/no
  • Determining your sponsors’ interest in future collaborations can provide insight into your events’ value to sponsors. If sponsors aren’t interested in returning, you may need to revisit your strategy.

Questions for speakers and VIPs

Many event attendees come to conferences and luncheons to listen to speakers. Attracting and retaining popular speakers is important to your event’s success. Hosting VIPs is also an important way to promote your event. Post-event survey questions let you gauge how your speakers and VIPs viewed your event and what their experience was like working with your team.

• Did you have all the equipment you needed to effectively present at this event?
  • Question type: yes/no
  • Technology and preparedness are central to your speaker’s success. This question can help identify any needed equipment or technology improvements.
• Did you have all the information you needed prior to the event?
  • Question type: yes/no
  • Having clear instructions, expectations, and details for speakers can make or break their experience. Use this question to see if you set them up for success.
• How well do you feel you connected with the audience at this event?
  • Question type: Likert scale
  • Similar to sponsors, speakers are looking for a connection with attendees. If a presenter felt as though the audience didn’t appreciate their work, you might need to reevaluate the types of speakers you’re inviting.
• How would you rate the Q&A process for your presentation?
  • Question type: Likert scale
  • Q&As are a popular part of educational events. However, if they’re poorly executed, they can result in overwhelmed speakers and frustrated attendees. Knowing how well you organized this part of your event’s presentation segment is valuable for planning future sessions.
• On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate the venue as it relates to your presentation?
  • Question type: rating scale
  • Speakers have to adjust to a space. Large venues can be difficult to present in without the proper equipment, and small venues can feel cramped if an event is overcrowded. How effective your choice of location was from a speaker’s perspective can inform future planning decisions.
• Is there anything we could have done to make your experience better?
  • Question type: open-ended
  • VIP guests are important for marketing and promoting your events. Ensuring they had a positive experience and finding ways to improve it can ensure a healthy promotional channel for future events.
• On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate the VIP package provided to you at the event?
  • Question type: rating scale
  • If you offered a VIP package at your event, you need to know if these guests felt it was satisfactory. VIPs who feel like you didn’t adequately woo them may speak poorly about your event and influence other VIPs.
• Is there anyone you would like to recommend to speak at future events?
  • Question type: open-ended
  • This question can help streamline future speaker outreach by collecting VIP recommendations. By asking VIPs for their input on future speakers, you’ll show them you value their opinion and get buy-in for the following year’s event.

Questions for employees

Anyone who has ever helped plan or hold an event knows how complicated, time-intensive, and hard it can be. Your event employees have a first-hand perspective of everything from event planning to post-event cleanup. Getting their feedback can help you streamline your process and ensure future events run as efficiently as possible.

• From a business perspective, would you consider this event a success?
  • Question type: yes/no, with an open-ended field for an explanation
  • This question acts as a starting point for reviewing your event, so consider making it your employee survey’s first question. If most employees feel like your event wasn’t a success for your business, you might consider reworking your strategy.
• Did this event align with company goals?
  • Question type: yes/no, with an open-ended field for an explanation
  • Your team plans events with a specific purpose in mind. Seeing if your employees feel your event met its goals is a key measure of success.
• On a scale from 1–10, how well organized was this event?
  • Question type: rating scale, with an open-ended field for an explanation
  • The level of organization that goes into planning and executing your event can determine how difficult it is for event staff to do their jobs. Considering their feedback can help you improve your processes.
• Do you feel as though roles and responsibilities were effectively communicated to staff?
  • Question type: yes/no, with an open-ended field for an explanation
  • Your team needs to know what they’re doing, when they’re doing it, and why. Gauging the effectiveness of your communication is vital to evaluating your internal event processes.
• On a scale from 1–10, how satisfied are you with how this event impacted your department?
  • Question type: rating scale, with an open-ended field for an explanation
  • While you have overarching business objectives for your event, various departments likely have their own goals for it. Finding out how effectively the event met those goals helps you measure the event’s overall success.
• What business outcomes do you believe this event produced?
  • Question type: open-ended
  • It’s important to take inventory of what you hoped to achieve and what you actually achieved. Employees working your event will have a first-hand understanding of these results and can pinpoint where they may have diverged from your intended outcomes.
• Are there any changes you would recommend for how our team should handle future events?
  • Question type: open-ended
  • Fielding ideas from event employees can help you identify opportunities for improvement and problem areas you may have missed.

Questions for virtual events

Online events come with their own unique challenges. Tailor your post-event survey questions to address the nuances — from login and signup to connection issues and user experience — that are associated with virtual events.

• On a scale from 1–10, how easy was this virtual event to navigate?
  • Question type: rating scale
  • Not every attendee will have the same digital skill level. A rating scale offers a clearer picture of your user experience so you can help future attendees avoid technical frustrations.
• What did you like most about this virtual event?
  • Question type: open-ended
  • An essential question for any virtual event, it’s just as important to know what you did right as it is to know what you could improve.
• Were you satisfied with the platform used for this event?
  • Question type: yes/no
  • Platform feedback will inform whether you need to consider switching technological solutions.
• If you used tech support, were you satisfied with your experience?
  • Question type: yes/no
  • Tech support’s effectiveness could impact attendee retention for future virtual events.
• On a scale from 1–10, how would you rate the audio and video quality of this virtual event?
  • Question type: rating scale
  • Your attendees need to be able to see and hear your virtual presenters. If your audio or video quality is low, you’ll likely face frustrated attendees. This is also an important aspect to keep in mind when measuring your event’s accessibility.
• How would you rate the session lengths for this virtual event?
  • Question type: Likert scale
  • Gauging whether attendees stuck around for full virtual sessions can help you adjust event schedules and maximize engagement.
• What are some features you would like to see in future virtual events?
  • Question type: open-ended or multiple-choice
  • From live chats to Q&As and quizzes, there’s an abundance of features to consider incorporating in your virtual event. Gather your attendees’ feedback to find out what features they’d like to see in future events.
• Would you attend another virtual event with us in the future?
  • Question type: yes/no, with an open-ended field for an explanation
  • This post-event survey question can help you measure your potential retention rate while also giving you a glimpse into your overall event success.

How to improve attendee retention with post-event surveys

Attendee retention is one of the most important indications of your event’s success. Repeat attendees are a great sign that your event is engaging and offering value. By using post-event surveys, you can collect the data and feedback you need to make adjustments that can improve attendee retention.

After you’ve received your post-event survey responses, take the time to address respondents’ concerns. Reach out to guests who had particularly poor experiences directly, and make sure you resolve issues for your next event. This shows a commitment to your guests’ happiness and well-being. Guests who feel seen and heard are more likely to return to future events, and your overall retention rate can improve.

What are some post-event survey best practices? 

Here are a few best practices to help you collect more actionable feedback from your event surveys.

Send the survey within 24 hours of your event 

One of the biggest mistakes hosts of both virtual and in-person events make is waiting too long to send a feedback survey. If you wait too long, attendees are likely to forget details. They’re also more likely to ignore the survey altogether. 

Send surveys while the event is still fresh in their minds — ideally within 24 hours. This means you’ll need to have the survey and your distribution method prepared in advance.

Send a follow-up reminder  

If you don’t receive a survey response after a couple of days, it’s a good idea to send a survey follow-up email. Resend the survey link or form with a personalized note — from you or another staff member — asking the attendee to complete the questions. Be sure to express your appreciation for their time and let them know that you’ll use their responses to improve future events.

Offer an incentive to complete the survey

Motivating your audience with an incentive can increase the chances of them filling out a survey. It doesn’t have to be expensive. You can offer a discount on future tickets or merch, or you could enter their name in a raffle for a gift card or other prizes.  

Send surveys to speakers, volunteers, and sponsors 

Post-event surveys aren’t just for attendees. They can also be a great way to collect feedback from speakers, volunteers, and sponsors. Their insights can help you improve future events and streamline processes.

Put together a game plan to implement survey feedback 

What good is all of this feedback if you don’t review it carefully and use it to inform future events? The next step after conducting a survey is to analyze and categorize the feedback. While you don’t need to implement every suggestion, you should tag all of the great suggestions and then work with stakeholders to prioritize and implement improvements.

You put a lot of time and work into your event. But just because the event is over doesn’t mean your work is done. Send out post-event surveys, follow up for more responses, and then take action based on the results.