How can you get conference feedback that is honest and helpful?

1 Choose the right questions

The first step to getting honest and helpful feedback is to ask the right questions. You want to avoid yes/no, rating, or multiple choice questions that limit the responses and don't capture the nuances of the experience. Instead, opt for open-ended questions that invite the attendees to share their thoughts, feelings, and suggestions in their own words. For example, instead of asking "How satisfied were you with the conference?" ask "What did you like most about the conference?" and "What could be improved for the next conference?".

2 Make it easy and timely

The second step to getting honest and helpful feedback is to make it easy and timely for the attendees to provide it. You want to reduce the friction and the delay between the conference and the feedback. You can do this by using online tools that allow the attendees to submit their feedback on their devices, either during or right after the conference. You can also use incentives, such as prizes, discounts, or certificates, to encourage participation and appreciation. And you can send reminders, thank-you notes, and follow-up messages to keep the feedback loop open and active.

3 Segment and analyze the data

The third step to getting honest and helpful feedback is to segment and analyze the data. You want to look for patterns, trends, and insights that will help you understand your audience better and improve your conference. You can do this by using software or tools that can help you sort, filter, and visualize the feedback data. You can also use qualitative methods, such as coding, categorizing, and clustering, to identify the main themes, issues, and opportunities that emerge from the feedback. And you can use quantitative methods, such as statistics, metrics, and benchmarks, to measure the performance, impact, and satisfaction of your conference.

4 Act on the feedback

The fourth step to getting honest and helpful feedback is to act on it. You want to show your attendees that you value their feedback and that you are willing to make changes based on it. You can do this by sharing the feedback results and your action plan with your attendees, either through email, social media, or your website. You can also involve your attendees in the feedback process, by asking them for their input, feedback, or ideas on how to implement the changes. And you can track and report on the progress and outcomes of the changes, by using indicators, milestones, and testimonials.

5 Learn from the feedback

The fifth step to getting honest and helpful feedback is to learn from it. You want to use the feedback as a source of learning and improvement, not just as a validation or criticism. You can do this by reflecting on the feedback, by asking yourself what worked well, what didn't work well, and what can be done better. You can also compare the feedback with your goals, expectations, and assumptions, by asking yourself if you met, exceeded, or missed your targets, and why. And you can use the feedback to inform your future decisions, by asking yourself what you can keep, change, or add to your next conference.

6 Get feedback on the feedback

The sixth step to getting honest and helpful feedback is to get feedback on the feedback. You want to know if your feedback process was effective, efficient, and engaging, and how you can improve it. You can do this by asking your attendees for their feedback on the feedback, by using a short survey, a focus group, or an interview. You can also ask your speakers, sponsors, partners, and staff for their feedback on the feedback, by using a similar method. And you can use the feedback on the feedback to refine your feedback strategy, by making adjustments, enhancements, or innovations to your feedback design, collection, and analysis.

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?