What's the best way to get conference attendees to fill out evaluation forms?

1 Make it easy and accessible

The first step is to design a simple and user-friendly evaluation form that can be accessed on multiple devices and platforms. Avoid long and complex questions, use multiple-choice or rating scales where possible, and provide clear instructions and examples. You can use online tools like SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, or Typeform to create and distribute your forms, or use QR codes or NFC tags to link to them from posters, flyers, or badges.

2 Offer incentives and rewards

Another way to motivate your attendees to fill out evaluation forms is to offer them some benefits or prizes for doing so. You can enter them into a raffle or a draw for a gift card, a free ticket, a book, or a gadget, or give them a discount code, a certificate, or a badge for their social media profiles. You can also appeal to their altruism and show them how their feedback will help you improve the conference, support a cause, or contribute to a community.

3 Timing and reminders

The timing of your evaluation form is also important. You want to capture your attendees' impressions and opinions while they are still fresh and relevant, but not interrupt their experience or overwhelm them with too many requests. You can send them the form right after each session, at the end of each day, or at the end of the conference, depending on your goals and format. You can also send them gentle reminders via email, text, or push notifications, but don't spam them or pressure them too much.

4 Segment and personalize

One size does not fit all when it comes to evaluation forms. You may want to segment your attendees based on their roles, interests, preferences, or behaviors, and tailor your questions and messages accordingly. For example, you can ask different questions to speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, or volunteers, or use different channels and languages to reach different groups. You can also personalize your forms by using their names, thanking them for their participation, or highlighting their contributions.

5 Analyze and share

The last tip is to analyze and share the results of your evaluation forms with your attendees and stakeholders. You can use data visualization tools like Tableau, PowerBI, or Excel to create charts, graphs, or dashboards that show the key insights and trends from your feedback. You can also write a summary report or a blog post that highlights the main outcomes and learnings from your conference. By sharing your findings, you can show your appreciation, transparency, and accountability, and encourage your attendees to stay engaged and involved.

6 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?