How to Write Event Survey Questions: Guide With Examples & Best Practices

Businesses, big and small, are leveraging the power of holding live events to maximize brand value, drive revenue, and improve customer experience. A 2019 Bizzabo report suggests that events can outperform other marketing strategies, including content marketing, digital advertising, and email campaigns.

But how do you determine whether your event was a success or a failure? How do you ensure it was satisfactory and impactful for the attendees and will be in the future?

An event survey answers all these questions and more. You can ask event survey questions specifically designed to understand attendees’ interests and expectations before the event and measure its success after it.

In this blog, we’ll explore what these surveys are and what event survey questions you can ask attendees. You’ll find example questions from various categories and tips for crafting an effective event survey.

Let’s start!

Watch: How to Create Online Surveys Easily

What Is an Event Survey Question?

An event survey question is a tool used by organizers to gather feedback from participants about their experiences at an event. These questions are specifically designed to extract valuable information that can highlight what went well and what could be improved.

Whether it’s a conference, concert, community gathering, or webinar event, these questions can cover a variety of topics, from the effectiveness of the event’s content and the quality of speakers to logistical aspects like venue accessibility and overall satisfaction.

Depending on the event and the scope of feedback, the questions could be asked in different ways, like:

• Yes or no questions
• Open-ended questions
• Multiple-choice questions
• NPS questions

This data not only helps in measuring the event’s success but also guides organizers in planning future events that better meet attendees’ expectations. By using these insights, you can refine every aspect of the event experience, making each one better than the last.

What Are the Different Types of Event Survey Questions?

Although event surveys gather valuable feedback and insights on events, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, different categories help you discover data on various facets of the same occasion. 

Here’s a breakdown of the different types of event survey questions, including where, when, and why they are used, along with example survey questions for each category.

1. General Event Survey Questions

These questions are designed to gauge the overall success and effectiveness of an event. They are typically asked after the event has concluded to get a holistic view of the attendees’ experiences.

When to use: Post-event.

Where to use: Via email surveys or mobile apps.

Why they are used: To understand the overall satisfaction and to identify areas for overall improvement.

Example Questions:

1. How satisfied were you with the event?
2. What was your favorite part of the event?
3. What was your least favorite part of the event?
4. How organized was the event?
5. How relevant and helpful was the event content?
6. How likely are you to attend future events?
7. How likely are you to recommend our events to others?
8. What could we do to improve our future events?
9. How would you rate the venue facilities?
10. Did the event meet your expectations?

Use This Event Survey Template

2. Post-Event Survey Questions to Ask Attendees

Post-event survey questions are asked after the event to get feedback, specifically from those who attended.

When to use: Immediately following the event.

Where to use: Sent via email or provided via a link during the event’s closing.

Why they are used: To capture immediate, reflective feedback from those who experienced the event firsthand.

Example Questions:

1. How would you rate the overall quality of the event?
2. What did you think of the event logistics?
3. Was the event length too long, too short, or about right?
4. How helpful was the staff at the event?
5. How would you rate the speakers?
6. What did you gain from attending the event?
7. Were there any sessions that stood out to you?
8. How was the networking opportunity?
9. Did you experience any problems during the event?
10. Would you attend another one of our events?

Use This Event Survey Template

3. Pre-Event Survey Questions to Ask Registrants

Pre-event survey questions are sent to people who have registered for the event before it starts.

When to use: Before the event starts.

Where to use: Via email or during online registration.

Why they are used: To tailor the event based on participant expectations and needs.

Example Questions:

1. What are you hoping to achieve by attending this event?
2. Are there specific topics you are interested in?
3. What is your preferred session format (workshops, lectures, etc.)?
4. Do you have any dietary restrictions or special needs?
5. What expertise level do you have related to the event topics?
6. Who are you most looking forward to hearing from?
7. What kind of materials would you like to see included?
8. Do you plan to participate in networking sessions?
9. What are your expectations for this event?
10. Would you like information on local accommodations and amenities?

Use This Pre-Event Survey Template

4. Event Survey Questions for Sponsors

These questions are targeted at sponsors of the event to assess their satisfaction and ROI.

When to use: After the event has concluded.

Where to use: Sent via email or through a direct communication channel.

Why they are used: To evaluate the sponsorship experience and to enhance future sponsor relations.

Example Questions:

1. How satisfied were you with the sponsorship opportunities?
2. Did the event meet your expectations in terms of audience engagement?
3. How effective was the event promotion in including your brand?
4. What type of attendee interaction did you experience?
5. Would you consider sponsoring our future events?
6. What could we improve for future sponsorship opportunities?
7. How well did the event demographic align with your target audience?
8. How would you rate the overall value of the event for your brand?
9. Any suggestions for enhancing sponsor visibility at future events?

5. Event Survey Questions for Speakers

These questions are intended to gather feedback from the speakers about their experience at the event.

When to use: After the event.

Where to use: Sent via email or provided in the speaker’s green room post-event.

Why they are used: To refine the experience for future speakers and improve the content quality.

Example Questions:

1. How well were you supported by the event staff?
2. Were the facilities adequate for your presentation needs?
3. How would you rate the audience engagement during your session?
4. Were there any technical issues during your presentation?
5. How effectively was your session promoted by the event organizers?
6. Would you speak at one of our future events?
7. What feedback do you have for improving speaker sessions?
8. How satisfactory were the accommodation and logistics arrangements?
9. Did the event meet your professional expectations?
10. How could we enhance your experience as a speaker at future events?

6. Getting Feedback During Your Event

These questions are used to collect real-time feedback from attendees while the event is ongoing.

When to use: During the event.

Where to use: Through mobile apps or interactive kiosks at the venue.

Why they are used: To make immediate improvements and gauge live reactions.

Example Questions:

1. How are you finding the event so far?
2. Are the sessions running on time?
3. Is there anything missing from the event that you expected to see?
4. How would you rate the quality of the event food and beverages?
5. Are you finding the event’s app helpful?
6. What has been your favorite session so far?
7. Are there enough networking opportunities?
8. Do you have any immediate concerns or feedback for the organizers?
9. How clear has the event communication been?
10. Are there any facilities or services you feel are lacking?

7. Survey Questions for Event Volunteers

These questions are targeted at volunteers to understand their experience and gather suggestions for improvement.

When to use: Post-event.

Where to use: Sent via email or handed out as they complete their shifts.

Why they are used: To appreciate their efforts and enhance the volunteer experience for future events.

Example Questions:

1. How was your overall experience as a volunteer at our event?
2. Were the instructions provided clear and easy to follow?
3. Did you feel well-supported by the event staff?
4. What did you enjoy most about volunteering?
5. Were there any challenges you faced?
6. How could we improve your experience for next time?
7. Did you have all the resources you needed?
8. How likely are you to volunteer for us again?
9. What would you suggest to streamline the volunteering process?
10. How could we better recognize and appreciate our volunteers?

8. Survey Questions for Virtual Events

These questions are specific to online or virtual event formats to address unique challenges and opportunities.

When to use: Post-event.

Where to use: Via email surveys or link embedding within the virtual event platform.

Why they are used: To enhance the virtual attendee experience and address any technical issues.

Example Questions:

1. How would you rate your overall experience with the virtual platform?
2. Was the event easy to navigate online?
3. How effective was the communication prior to and during the event?
4. Did you encounter any technical difficulties? If so, what were they?
5. How interactive did you find the virtual event?
6. What did you think of the visual and audio quality?
7. Were the online sessions engaging?
8. How well did the networking opportunities work virtually?
9. What features did you appreciate the most in the virtual format?
10. What improvements would you suggest for future virtual events?

Use This Event Survey Template

Best Practices to Create Effective Event Surveys

Want to make your next event a smash hit? Start with crafting an effective survey. Here’s how to make sure your event surveys actually tell you what you need to know:

• Set Clear Goals: First things first, know what you want to find out. Do you need feedback on the venue, the speakers, or the food? Pinpointing your goals upfront will help you ask the right questions.
• Keep It Short and Sweet: People are busy. Keep your survey short to boost completion rates; aim for 5-10 pointed questions. This way, you’ll get more responses and better-quality data.
• Use a Mix of Question Types: Keep things interesting! Use a variety of question types—like multiple choice for quick stats and open-ended for richer, more detailed insights. This mix can provide a well-rounded view of your event’s impact.
• Ease Into It: Start with some easy questions to warm up your respondents. This can make them more willing to stick around and answer more complex questions later.
• Consistent Scales: If you’re using rating scales, keep them consistent throughout the survey. This avoids confusion and makes your data easier to analyze later.
• Avoid Bias: Write questions that are clear and neutral. Steer clear of leading questions that might nudge respondents towards a certain answer.
• Include an ‘Other’ Option: Sometimes you won’t have anticipated all possible answers, especially in multiple-choice questions. Adding an “other” option with a space for written responses can capture these insights.
• Test It Out: Don’t send out your survey without testing it first. Try it out on a few people who resemble your event’s audience. They can help catch anything confusing or off-putting before you go live.
• Send It Promptly: Timing is everything. Send your survey out quickly after the event while it’s still fresh in everyone’s mind—usually within a day or two.
• Remind and Thank: Don’t be shy about sending a follow-up to those who missed the survey the first time around. Always thank participants for their feedback—it shows you value their input and encourages them to participate again in the future.
• Use the Feedback: Lastly, don’t let those insights gather dust. Analyze the data, share it with your team, and use it to make your next event even better.

With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating surveys that work hard for you, gathering the kind of feedback that can turn good events into great ones.

Leverage Event Survey Questions to Make Every Survey Count

Event survey questions help you gather important information to gauge the event’s success. If you can make it more specific by asking the right mix of general questions, followed by NPS questions and open-ended questions at different stages of an event, nothing can stop you from getting accurate responses that are worth their while.

If you want to save time while creating surveys, you can use ProProfs Survey Maker, which offers a comprehensive list of event survey questions in different formats. Select event-specific templates and add your branding.

Watch: How to Customize & Add Branding to Your Survey

Adjust the event feedback survey questions and get answers according to your needs. Once created, distribute the survey online through email or social media or embed it on your website. Use advanced reporting and intelligent analytics to analyze the feedback for the most powerful insights into your customers’ minds, and you’re all set! Get started free today, or sign up for a demo.

Learn More About Event Survey Questions

What survey questions should I ask after an event?

After an event, focus on questions that assess overall satisfaction, understanding of content, quality of speakers, venue, and organizational aspects. Examples include:

• How satisfied were you with the event?
• How relevant was the content presented?
• How would you rate the venue facilities?
• What improvements would you suggest for future events?

You can streamline this process with a tool offering customizable templates to create comprehensive post-event surveys quickly.

How do you write the best event survey questions?

To write the best event survey questions, ensure they are clear, relevant, and unbiased. Start with a clear objective for each question and use a mix of question types to engage respondents effectively. Keep the language simple and direct, and always test your survey before sending it out. 

For best results, use a tool that can help you craft well-designed questions with a variety of templates and question types that can be tailored to your specific needs.