7 essential steps for turning data into action for your next event
After the buzz of a conference subsides, the real work for meeting managers begins. A well-executed post-event wrap-up is crucial for evaluating success, improving future events, and maintaining attendee engagement. Here’s your essential checklist:
Debrief the Team: Schedule a meeting with your entire team, including staff and vendors. This is a chance to share observations, discuss lessons learned, and brainstorm ideas for improvement. It’s also a moment to celebrate the team’s achievements and foster a collaborative spirit.
Gather Feedback: Solicit feedback from attendees through online surveys, emails, or phone calls. This valuable input reveals what worked well, what didn’t, and areas for improvement. It’s the cornerstone of creating a more impactful conference next time.
Evaluate Performance: Assess the performance of your team, vendors, venue, speakers, and other stakeholders. This evaluation helps identify areas where changes might be needed, such as vendor replacements or budget adjustments. It also provides an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the hard work of team members.
Review Data: Analyze attendance rates, engagement metrics, and other relevant data. This data provides valuable insights into what resonated with attendees, helping you tailor future content and activities to their preferences.
Related Reading: First Time Meeting Planner Guide
Analyze Financials: Conduct a thorough review of the budget, including revenue generated, expenses, and outstanding invoices. Calculate the return on investment (ROI) to assess the conference’s overall financial performance. This data informs future budgeting and decision-making.
Touch Base With Attendees One Last Time: Express your gratitude to attendees for their participation. Consider sending follow-up emails with promised resources, presentation slides, event photos and videos, and a “save the date” for the next conference. This gesture reinforces attendee engagement and provides another opportunity to collect feedback.
Share Your Success: Don’t hesitate to share your post-event insights and best practices with the wider community. Post your learnings on social media, tagging relevant organizations or individuals. This fosters collaboration and helps elevate the industry as a whole.
By meticulously following this post-event checklist, meeting managers can transform valuable data and insights into actionable strategies for continuous improvement. Remember, every successful conference is built upon the lessons learned from the one before.
Any thoughts, opinions, or news? Please share them with me at vince@meetingsevents.com.
Photo by Walls.io on Unsplash
