How to Gather Feedback After Science Events

HOW TO GET MORE SURVEYS + MAKE YOUR NEXT EVENT BETTER?! Event pros, we know how it goes - you have a GREAT event (with some hiccups!) and you leave the event with all these ideas for the future... and then you get swallowed up by your inbox, your next event, and LIFE... and those good ideas/changes you want to make just fall further and further down the to-do list. I get it! I have been part of a lot of event post-mortems with my clients (and as a former meetings + events pro) and here is a list of things I've seen clients do that were impactful/good ideas: STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE # OF SURVEY RESPONSES: 1. Get each speaker to include QR code of survey at the end of their session / right before Q+A and give attendees 1 minute to fill out in real-time  2. Have main stage emcee give allotted 1-2 minutes during mainstage time at closing sessions of each day to let folks "vote with their surveys" for their favorite session of the day 3. Partner with a local charity to donate $1 per survey to them (for example, client is supporting Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida for upcoming event in Orlando, where $1 gives 4 meals). 4. Multiple follow up emails giving time deadline to "get in their surveys" with possible incentive for their response (discount to future event?) STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF SURVEYS: 1. Be clear on what your leadership wants ROI/KPI on and then focus on questions that can deliver those metrics/insights 2. Give the survey to your event partners - they often have a lot of experience and some ideas for improvements/feedback that you either didn't see, didn't know about or wouldn't have thought of. (and yes, they could upsell you here but great partners will give, give, give to help you and trust you may return to them if they did a great job) 3. If you have sponsors/rely on sponsors for event income, call them personally and follow up about the survey to hear their feedback (and have a special sponsor/partner survey, if possible) so you can understand their experience, feedback and improve sponsorship sales for next year STRATEGIES TO MAXIMIZE POST-EVENT MEETINGS 1. Have a quick on-site post-event meeting celebrating the wins! Nothing super heavy here, but share the joy! You all did it!!! Wins will be fresh in the mind - record it on a voice note and transcribe later, if possible. 2. Send out internal survey ahead of meeting for "braindumping" and allowing those who think-then-talk to prepare accordingly. Give open ended questions, make it anonymous if your org's culture may benefit from that. 3. Ask for everyone to pick something they will "Champion" - which means they'll see it through the stages of research, proposal, planning and execution with support of others for the next event. Co-Champions are good, too, but either way - leave the meeting with folks being excited about a new idea and with the expectations set on how to convert from "Great idea" to "Awesome reality!" #meetingsandevents #associations #eventprofs

Feedback is a loop, but we often keep it open-ended. Closing the loop is more than a simple "thank you for giving me the feedback." That's merely a dead end. Feedback isn't an event, it should be an ongoing partnership for growth. How do you make that happen? By applying feedback and following up with this three step process: Step 1: Change the way you ask for feedback. Instead of simply asking "what feedback do you have," get more specific in what you're asking for up front, so you can focus the other person's attention to what you need (e.g. I'd really like your feedback on the overall flow of that presentation and what made it easy or difficult to absorb). Then look for the one thing you can take and apply. This approach makes it easier to get valuable, actionable feedback, even if there are elements you disagree with. Step 2: Proactively set a date to action on the feedback and even follow up. When can you implement a first step? How will you re-connect to provide an update? Discuss that plan with the other person. Step 3: When that date hits, share the following: "Because of your feedback, I did x, and this is what I've observed as a result. What have you noticed?" We leave conversations unfinished and open-ended every single day, like strands of string dangling everywhere. It's time to start creating loops - professionally and personally. #ignitedbyjordana #feedback #leadership #communication #closetheloop

Why feedback is the key to event success Feedback isn’t just something to collect—it’s the pulse that keeps your events relevant and engaging. It’s not enough to hear what attendees say; you need to listen, act, and adapt to truly make an impact. Here’s how to elevate your feedback strategy: 🔹 Immediate Action: Collect feedback while memories are fresh. Engaging attendees on-site or right after the event makes a huge difference in relevance. 🔹 Interactive Surveys: Spice up your feedback collection! Fun quizzes, rewards, or unique incentives like “beer on us” cards can turn feedback into an experience. 🔹 Human Touch: Event ambassadors can gather feedback in real time, creating a natural conversation instead of a formal ask. 🔹 Timely Follow-ups: Personalized post-event surveys or messages within 24 hours show attendees you care and are already planning improvements. The bottom line? Feedback fuels your next move. The more you turn attendee input into action, the more your events will leave a lasting impression. Check out these 2 booths, one year apart… I stayed in-tune with my client, kept notes on the previous years’ success, and applied what we learned the following year. #EventMarketing #FeedbackLoop #CustomerExperience #EventSuccess #EventStrategy