| Evaluate Immediately! It is important to do your | | | | · Did you receive positive feedback from those |
| evaluation/assessment of the event while the details | | | | who attended? Did you use formal (written, |
| are fresh in your mind. Include anyone in the | | | | documented forms or one on one surveys) or |
| evaluation process that had a stake in the event. | | | | informal (chatting in the restrooms, lines, seminars, |
| Stakeholders would include vendors, hired staff, | | | | etc.) methods of evaluation? |
| volunteers and employers. You could host a | | | | · What could you do differently, better to reach |
| debriefing session or a wrap up meeting to | | | | your goals? To involve more people? To spread the |
| accomplish this task. Make this a pleasant experience. | | | | word about the event? |
| Include refreshments and lots of kudos (thank | | | | · Was the event worth doing? What were some of |
| you’s for a job well done). Prior to, or when | | | | the benefits? Would you do it again? |
| the meeting begins, enlist a scribe to record | | | | Encourage alternative forms of feedback from those |
| the comments and answers from the group. Ask | | | | unable to attend, such as via e-mail, website and fax |
| yourself and them the following questions: | | | | back forms. Once you have received feedback from |
| · Did the event fulfill the goals and objectives set | | | | the group, have the notes transcribed for distribution |
| forth? | | | | to all the stakeholders (clients). Be sure to include this |
| · What worked? What didn’t? What would | | | | in the event portfolio for future reference. Proper |
| you do differently? The same? | | | | evaluating of the event will lead to even greater |
| · Did the event run smoothly and on schedule? | | | | success in the future. In fact, it is important to |
| · Which vendors/stakeholders should be hired | | | | evaluate all aspects of business from time to time. |
| recruited again? | | | | Otherwise, how and when would you know what |
| · Were any items missing from the checklist that | | | | needs to be improved? One final thought; make sure |
| should be included in future events? | | | | you get feedback from attendees. And here’s |
| · Did you generate favorable publicity for the | | | | a key question to ask, especially if it is an event that |
| event? | | | | is open to the public: How did you hear about this |
| · How was attendance? Were the attendance goals | | | | event? |
| achieved? | | | | |