Examples of event survey questions you need to ask for the best insights

Gathering feedback from your attendees is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to improve your events. But too often, post-event surveys are rushed, generic, or poorly timed—resulting in low response rates and vague data. The right survey questions can reveal what worked, what didn’t, and where to focus your efforts next time. Just as importantly, how and where you ask the questions matters too. As a web design agency specialising in event websites, we help clients embed survey touchpoints directly into their digital platforms, making feedback frictionless and actionable. Here’s how to do it right.

Why surveys matter more than ever

In-person, hybrid, and virtual events all compete for attention, and expectations are high. Delegates, sponsors, and speakers expect polished, relevant, and efficient experiences. Post-event surveys are your opportunity to hear from the people who matter most, in their own words. Feedback supports:

• Continuous improvement
• Data-led content and format decisions
• Stakeholder reporting
• Stronger rebooking conversations with sponsors or exhibitors

But the insights are only as good as the questions you ask.

Best practice for survey design

Before jumping into questions, consider the following:

• Keep it short – Aim for 8-12 well-chosen questions.
• Mix formats – Combine multiple choice, rating scales, and open text.
• Segment when possible – Tailor questions by audience (e.g. delegate vs exhibitor).
• Time it right – Send surveys within 24-48 hours after the event.
• Make it accessible – Ensure surveys work on all devices.

Tools like Typeform, Google Forms, Slido, or integrated event platforms like Swapcard, Grip, and Cvent make survey collection easy. We often build survey forms directly into event websites to match the branding and reduce drop-off. Whether embedded post-event or triggered by automated follow-up emails, smooth integration leads to better response rates.

Core questions for delegates

These questions are designed to assess the attendee experience from registration to wrap-up:

1. How would you rate your overall event experience?
(Scale: 1–10)
This acts as your Net Promoter Score (NPS) foundation. Follow up with:
2. What is the main reason for your score? (Open text)
This qualitative input reveals specific highlights or frustrations.

3. How satisfied were you with the event content?
Very satisfied / Satisfied / Neutral / Dissatisfied / Very dissatisfied

4. Which sessions or speakers stood out to you, and why?
(Open text)

5. How easy was it to network with other attendees?
Very easy / Somewhat easy / Neutral / Difficult / Very difficult
(If you used a networking platform, this feedback informs future tech decisions.)

6. What would you change or improve for next time?
(Open text)
This helps you prioritise future updates, from venue layout to session format.

7. Would you attend this event again?
Yes / No / Not sure

8. Would you recommend this event to a colleague?
Yes / No
This feeds into your event’s net promoter analysis.

If your site has a delegate portal, we can integrate a short post-event survey within their dashboard or send a follow-up that links to a branded feedback page, keeping it consistent with the event’s identity.

Key questions for exhibitors and sponsors

Sponsors and exhibitors have different goals, so their feedback must be more commercially focused. Useful questions include:

1. How would you rate the quality of leads or interactions at this event?
Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor

2. Did the event meet your expectations in terms of brand visibility and engagement?
Yes / Partially / No

3. How easy was it to set up and manage your stand or presence?
Very easy / Somewhat easy / Difficult

4. Was the networking platform or lead capture system effective?
Yes / No / Needs improvement
This identifies any tech-related pain points (and opportunities to improve integrations).

5. What additional support or tools would have improved your experience?
(Open text)

6. Would you consider sponsoring or exhibiting again?
Yes / No / Not sure
This answer is often the most telling and a great conversation starter for your rebooking strategy.

Event websites we build can include post-event sponsor dashboards with integrated feedback forms, giving sponsors an easy and branded way to provide feedback without relying on a generic email link.

Questions for speakers and presenters

Your speakers shape the content, so understanding their experience is crucial too:

1. How clear was communication leading up to the event?
Very clear / Clear / Unclear

2. Did you feel supported in preparing and delivering your session?
Yes / Somewhat / No

3. How was your experience with the tech or AV setup?
Excellent / Good / Poor

4. Would you speak at one of our events again?
Yes / No / Depends on the format

We recommend embedding these surveys in a dedicated speaker area of your website, or including them as part of your thank-you communication.

How we help streamline the process

We help clients get better feedback by ensuring their survey process is tightly integrated into their digital experience. This could include:

• Embedding branded survey forms into the event website or app
• Creating personalised post-event pages with tailored survey prompts
• Syncing responses with CRM or analytics dashboards
• Automating survey links within attendee follow-up flows

A good survey is not just about asking the right questions—it’s about making it easy for people to answer them.

Final thoughts

Well-designed event surveys provide more than just post-event reflections, they’re a roadmap for continuous improvement. By asking targeted, audience-specific questions and embedding them into your digital platforms, you’ll collect higher quality insights that directly inform your planning, sponsorship sales, content decisions, and delegate experience.