Post Event Survey Questions: 8 Core Ones Plus Extras

Someone has asked you to find out how the event went, and a blank survey form is staring back. Ask fewer, sharper post event survey questions. Eight core ones cover most of what a boss will want to know, and the sections below add extras by event type.

Every question should earn its place by changing a decision you will make next time.

What should you decide before writing the survey?

Decide what you will do with the answers first, then write only the questions that feed those decisions. A question nobody will act on is just a reason for people to stop answering.

Ask yourself three things. Will you rebook the venue or supplier? Will you change the format, length or timing? Do you need to report a satisfaction score upwards? Each “yes” points to a question. Everything else can wait.

What are the 8 core post event survey questions?

The core set is eight questions that are quick to finish on a phone. Copy it as your post event survey template and swap in the event name.

Which question types work best?

Use rating scales for how people felt, multiple choice for things you can count, and open text for reasons. Mostly quick taps with one or two comment boxes gets the best mix of ease and insight.

• Rating scale: “Rate the host from 1 to 5.” Fast to answer and easy to compare year on year.
• Multiple choice: “Which activity did you enjoy most?” Gives you a clear ranking.
• Open text: “What would have made it better?” Slower to read, but it is where the useful detail lives.

What extra questions should you add by event type?

Add three to five questions that match the format, on top of the core eight. Here are the extras we would reach for.

Activities and team-building

1. Was the activity easy to understand in the first few minutes?
2. Was it the right length (too short, right, too long)?
3. Did your team work well together during it?
4. Would you do a similar activity again?

For game shows and quizzes, a good one is “Did you feel comfortable taking part?”, because it shows whether quieter colleagues enjoyed it. Our game shows and quizzes suit post-conference or end-of-day socials, and these questions tell you if the format worked for your group.

Conferences

1. How relevant was the content to your role?
2. Did you meet people you wanted to meet?
3. Was registration and check-in smooth?
4. Was the room comfortable, with good sound and visibility?

Christmas and social parties

1. Were the food and drink options right for you?
2. Was the evening the right length?
3. Did the entertainment suit the mix of people?
4. Would you prefer a daytime, evening or weekday event next year?

Which inclusion questions do most surveys miss?

Ask directly whether everyone could take part. People may not volunteer that they felt left out, so a short, specific question surfaces it.

• Were there good options if you do not drink alcohol?
• Could you take part comfortably, whatever your mobility, energy or sensory needs?
• If you joined remotely or hybrid, did you feel part of it?
• Was anything too loud, bright or crowded?

Keep these optional and kind. If you need to confirm what a supplier can accommodate, ask them directly before the next event.

What should you ask staff, hosts and suppliers?

Ask the people who ran the event what they saw, because they notice problems guests never mention. Keep this to five questions and have a quick conversation rather than a form.

• What ran smoothly, and what did not?
• Did setup and breakdown run to time?
• Did numbers and space match the plan?
• What did guests ask for that we did not have?
• What would you change next time?

Do the same with your event partner. For corporate events we handle planning, setup, breakdown and equipment, with professional hosts, and our event management service covers venue sourcing, entertainment, catering and transport coordination. Howdens’ Diane Collins said “Gold Tier arrived at the exact time they said they would, they set everything up ready for the start of our event.” Those are the details worth checking in any supplier debrief.

When and how should you send it?

Send it within a day or two while the event is fresh, make it phone-friendly, and send one reminder. A QR code on the day, on a screen or on the table, catches people while they are still there.

• Keep it to the core eight plus a handful of extras.
• Test the link on a phone before you send it.
• Say how long it takes, and say whether it is anonymous.

Anonymous is optional, but if you collect names or emails, tell people why and how you will use them. The ICO explains this in its guidance on the right to be informed.

What should you do with the answers?

Turn the results into a one-page summary, share it back, and put the top three changes into your next brief. People respond to surveys that visibly lead somewhere.

Include the headline score, the best-loved moment, the most common complaint and your three actions. Tell attendees what you are changing. Next time, use the same core questions so you can compare results.

FAQs

What are good post-event survey questions?

Good post-event survey questions are short, specific and tied to a decision. Start with the core eight in the table above: overall rating, likelihood to recommend, best part, one change, ease of joining in, logistics, repeat appetite and an open comment. Add a few extras for your event type, then stop.

What type of questions are asked in a survey?

Most event surveys use three types. Rating scales (1 to 5 or 0 to 10) measure how people felt. Multiple choice questions give answers you can count, such as favourite activity. Open text boxes capture the reasons numbers miss. Mix all three, mostly quick taps, with one or two comment boxes.

Can you give 10 examples of close-ended questions?

Yes. Rate the event overall (1 to 5). Would you attend again (yes, maybe, no)? Was the length right (too short, right, too long)? Was the venue easy to find? Were food and drink options suitable? Could everyone join in? Was the host clear? Was the start time convenient? Which activity did you enjoy most? Would you recommend it (0 to 10)?

What questions should I ask an event planner or supplier afterwards?

Ask what went well, what they would change and what they noticed that you did not. Check that setup and breakdown ran to time and that numbers and space matched the plan. A good supplier will have a view on next year, and the answers feed straight into your next brief.

Planning your next one? Tell us about your event and we’ll put together a tailored proposal. Start your enquiry.