Table of Contents

Questions for a Successful Event Debrief

Questions for a Successful Event Debrief

Regardless of the nature of the event being organized, its planning should always begin with a thorough conversation with the person in charge. It is impossible to host a successful event without preliminary elaboration of many details, including event debrief questions.

What is an event debrief?

A good event debrief example is a meeting with your team where you can carefully deconstruct and analyze a previous event. This is where you put event planning debrief questions on the table and ask “How did we do this?” More than a casual conversation about what did and didn’t work, a debriefing digs into why things actually happened or happens.

Why is the event debriefing important?

Unfortunately, sometimes little time is devoted to preparing an event. In these circumstances, discussing with the host of the event issues related to logistics and other practical details may seem ineffective.

On the other hand, a dialogue during event debrief meeting which you can clearly identify and agree on the tasks facing you, is very useful. During the conversation, it may turn out that it is difficult for you to ask some important questions. In the end, the time that it will take you to discuss the main points, consider various options and identify priorities will not be wasted. A preliminary conversation with the host of the event will help you to get rid of doubts, significantly reduce the number of ill-conceived decisions, as well as prevent certain conflict situations.

When to ask debriefing questions.

It’s very important to ask the best reflective questions possible as you debrief on your events. You can ask them on debriefing session before the event planning work starts. You may ask them your hosts, team members, vendors sponsors, etc. either before or post event to draw the full picture of your event success. 

Steps to running a successful event debrief.

Plan your questions to ask at an event debriefing in several steps. 

Plan the workshop

Planning a great workshop needn’t be an overwhelming experience. Get your latest offers and arrange free self-development or product session.

Set the time and stick to it

Create a schedule and stick to one. Planning events always takes place with extremely tight schedules, so save your time and efforts.

Ask the critical questions

Pick the most significant key questions for an event debrief meeting to provide to your questioning participants.

Get attendee feedback

 It is better to ask for attendee or team feedback immediately after the event is over, while the experience is still fresh in their minds they will answer your post-event debrief questions.

Questions for event debrief.

Here is a list of debrief questions designed to give you actionable insights. If you want even more tips on how to debrief better, you’ll find those 

Front End Debrief

There are actually two different kinds of event debriefs: the back end debrief and the front end debrief.

For Staff

What were your original event objectives? Did you meet them? As s a team member, did you feel like you received adequate training to complete assigned tasks?

For Partners

Were event problems solved? How? Did we find the optimal solution? How did we utilize technology at this event? Was it a success?

For Sponsors

What would you like to see happening at similar events in the future? Did the event’s messaging correspond to your brand identity/message/sponsorship goals?

For Vendors

Were there any problems encountered as you tried to meet our event objectives? Did the event fulfil all of its commitments in terms of promised goods/promotional opportunities? Did you meet your budget/income expectations? Was cash flow efficiently managed so that all purchase orders could be processed in a timely manner?

Back End Debrief

The back end debrief and the front end debrief are the two types of event debriefs to consider before working out.

For Attendees

How effective and efficient was our registration process? How did you utilize technology at this event? Were all instructions and expectations made clear from the outset?

For Partners and Sponsors

What were some triumphs at our event? Did you feel sufficiently included when the event’s objectives were initially laid out? Who or what was responsible for them? How can we replicate these successes in the future?

For Vendors

Were there any setbacks beyond your control, such as shipment delays or an extreme weather event? Did the venue meet all of your requirements? Did caterers have access to adequate kitchen facilities? Did the AV team have sufficient access to power outlets and WiFi?, etc

Creating your event debrief strategy.

Always start with an event debrief checklist that will allow you to make the most general idea of the event and understand the expectations associated with it. In every case, these are issues related to the outcome of the event and the use of acquired knowledge, skills. Start with them while coming up with your event debriefs strategy.

How to lead your debrief meeting.

Here’s a brief guide to event debrief improve your event and your team’s performance:

  • Invite the important people. 
  • Foster a comfortable environment.
  • Set an agenda/itinerary.
  • Start with your objectives and summary.
  •  Go through each key function.
  • Send out an event debrief survey with debrief questions for the event.

Do not forget to compose and provide a debrief report after you’re through with your questions.

Event debrief report.

Here’s an event debrief report sample:

event report sample

Event debrief template.

Use Gevme   top tips for a constructive event debrief, as well as a downloadable debrief template. Here’s an event debrief form template:

sample debrief

debrief example

event debriefing

Ask professionals.

Pick debriefing questions with the help of event planning experts who are aware of the most subtle event planning twists and turns. To find out any other useful event planning information, contact us any time. On account of many years of experience in the industry, the Gevme experts are always here to conduct a successful event debrief. 

Successful event debrief is half of your event success.

Before you dive into your next event, it’s important to review the previous one with an event debrief. Questions for event debrief will better help you to get the feedback and valuable insights from the most important people. Use the questions above to create a record of the event for your institution and debrief the program team on the event outcomes.  Stay with us for more useful information.

Feel free with your debrief suggestions!

Level up your events with Gevme’s omnichannel event platform

Share this article

We are pleased to announce updates to our privacy policy, reinforcing our commitment to safeguarding your rights. Please click here to review the changes.