Feedback is essential for any conference organizer who wants to improve their event, learn from their mistakes, and satisfy their audience. But how can you collect and use feedback effectively from your conference team and partners? Here are some tips to help you create a feedback culture that benefits everyone involved.
Before you ask for feedback, you need to know what you want to achieve and what you want to learn. Define your goals and objectives for the conference, and then craft specific, relevant, and actionable questions that align with them. For example, you might want to know how well the speakers delivered their content, how the attendees engaged with the sessions, or how the sponsors perceived the value of their partnership. Avoid vague or generic questions that don't help you measure your progress or identify areas for improvement.
Gather feedback from all stakeholders, this way you can gain new perspectives and ensure you address all key areas. Having roundtable feedback sessions from all stakeholders in addition to separate one-on-ones with the key stakeholders is always a great idea to ensure addressing all elements and areas of improvement. It is also key that these conversations take place in the right timing so you're able to address your gaps for future events. These feedback sessions should not necessarily be a Q&A, but could be also done in the form of a brainstorming session on how specific elements could be improved in the future.
Once you have your questions ready, you need to decide how and when to ask for feedback. You can use different methods and tools depending on your purpose, audience, and resources. For example, you can use surveys, interviews, focus groups, feedback forms, polls, or social media to gather feedback from different stakeholders. You can also use online platforms, apps, or software to design, distribute, and analyze your feedback data. Make sure you choose methods and tools that are convenient, accessible, and reliable for your team and partners.
To get honest and constructive feedback, you need to communicate clearly and respectfully with your team and partners. Explain why you are asking for feedback, how you will use it, and what benefits they will get from it. For example, you can tell them that you value their opinions, that you want to improve the conference experience, and that you will share the results and actions with them. You can also incentivize them to give feedback by offering rewards, recognition, or discounts for future events.
After you collect feedback, you need to analyze it and act on it. Review the feedback data and look for patterns, trends, gaps, or surprises. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of your conference, and prioritize the areas that need improvement. Then, create a plan of action that outlines the changes, solutions, or innovations that you will implement for the next conference. Communicate your plan to your team and partners, and thank them for their feedback. Show them that you are listening and learning from them.
Finally, you need to follow up and evaluate your feedback process. After you implement your plan of action, ask for feedback again to see if you have achieved your goals and addressed the issues. Compare the feedback data from before and after the changes, and measure the impact and outcomes. Evaluate the effectiveness of your feedback methods and tools, and make adjustments as needed. Keep the feedback loop open and ongoing, and foster a feedback culture that encourages continuous learning and improvement.
Hello folks. Also the following; 1. To inform the participants right at the beginning of the conference that their feedback is critical to the success and improvement. And after every session a small survey will be shared which will take less than 2 minutes. 2. Make it easy by sending the survey on their mobiles. 3. The names of those who have responded should be flashed on the screen with a thank you note. 4. At the end of the conference, an overall feedback form,more to do with logistics, duration, stay, food etc. 5. And appreciate those who have actively responded. Best wishes.