Blog Post

The Power of Pre-Meeting Surveys

Paul Nunesdea, PhD CPF • July 31, 2024

Unleash Your Event Planning Team's Potential

Embrace the power of pre-meeting surveys to unlock your team's full potential and elevate your events to new heights.


Successful event planning hinges on effective collaboration. Yet, traditional meeting formats often stifle creativity and genuine input. To maximize your team's potential, consider a pre-meeting survey approach.


By distributing a comprehensive survey to your event planning team in advance, you create a platform for open and honest reflection. This approach encourages everyone to share their thoughts without the pressure of real-time discussion, where some team members might feel hesitant to speak up.


Key benefits of pre-meeting surveys:

  • Unbiased input: Team members can express their ideas freely without fear of judgment.
  • Time efficiency: Meeting time can be focused on discussion and decision-making rather than information gathering.
  • Data-driven decisions: Survey results provide valuable insights for informed decision-making.
  • Enhanced collaboration: Shared responses foster a sense of shared ownership and responsibility.


Using a pre-meeting planning survey is an ideal way to start a meeting planning process in your organization and it's an excellent tool for you as the host an event planning team. There is no better way to start the event planning team meeting by share the response that were gathered by all participants in the survey, including colleagues from all departments in the company. 


Essential survey components:

  • Meeting objectives and outcomes: Clearly define the event's purpose and desired results.
  • Target audience: Identify key stakeholders and their expectations.
  • Meeting format: Explore various options and gather preferences.
  • Logistics and resources: Identify potential venues, budget constraints, and required materials.
  • Agenda and content: Outline key discussion points and desired outcomes.
  • Evaluation and follow-up: Determine how to measure success and plan for post-event actions.


Once you've collected responses, analyze the data to identify common themes, areas of agreement, and potential challenges. This information will serve as a solid foundation for your planning meeting.


By incorporating pre-meeting surveys into your event planning process, you'll empower your team to contribute meaningfully, improve decision-making, and ultimately create more successful events.

Sample Pre-Meeting Survey for Event Planners


Introduction:


This survey aims to gather input from the event planning team to facilitate a more productive and collaborative planning meeting.


Please share your thoughts openly and honestly.


Section 1: Meeting Objectives and Outcomes

  • What do you see as the primary goal of this event?
  • What do you hope to achieve by the end of this event?
  • What key metrics will measure the success of the event?


Section 2: Target Audience

  • Who is our primary target audience for this event?
  • What are their interests, needs, and expectations?
  • How can we tailor the event to meet their specific requirements?


Section 3: Meeting Format

  • What format do you prefer for this event (in-person, virtual, hybrid)?
  • What are the pros and cons of each format in your opinion?
  • Are there any specific venues or locations you would like to consider?


Section 4: Logistics and Resources

  • What is your estimated budget for this event?
  • What are the essential resources needed for a successful event (AV equipment, staffing, etc.)?
  • Are there any potential logistical challenges we should anticipate?


Section 5: Agenda and Content

  • What topics or sessions do you believe should be included in the event agenda?
  • Are there any speakers or experts you would like to invite?
  • What interactive elements or activities would enhance attendee engagement?


Section 6: Evaluation and Follow-up

  • How should we measure attendee satisfaction and event impact?
  • What follow-up actions are necessary to ensure the event's success?
  • Are there any potential challenges or risks we should address?



Additional Comments:

Please feel free to add any additional thoughts or suggestions you have for the event.

Conclusion


By harnessing the collective wisdom of your event planning team through a pre-meeting survey, you can significantly enhance the planning process. This approach fosters inclusivity, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making.


Remember, the goal is not to replace in-person collaboration but to complement it. A well-structured survey provides a solid foundation for productive discussions, allowing your team to focus on creative problem-solving and strategic planning.


Don't limit your survey to the core planning team. Involving colleagues who will interact with the event, even indirectly, can yield surprising insights. You might uncover hidden opportunities or potential challenges you hadn't considered.



Ready to revolutionize your event planning? Start by crafting a comprehensive pre-meeting survey and watch your team's creativity soar!

About us

My Meeting Support, through its parent company col.lab | collaboration laboratory Ltd, aims to revolutionize the way events and training programs are managed. By bringing together a community of experienced facilitators and leveraging the power of digital tools for collaboration provides services that are not just about executing an event or a training session, but about crafting unique experiences that promote collaboration, learning, and engagement. It's about fostering connections and creating environments where ideas can thrive and lead to actionable outcomes. This approach ensures that every event is not just a fleeting moment but a lasting impact.



"Talk To Your Meeting Doctors" is a dynamic and engaging series that aims to address common challenges faced in meetings and offer expert advice and strategies to enhance meeting effectiveness. As co-hosts, Paul Nunesdea and Martin Duffy bring their wealth of experience and expertise to the forefront by hosting conversations with renowned guest speakers sharing practical insights and facilitating discussions on topics such as meeting design, participant engagement, decision-making processes, and fostering a culture of collaboration.


This LinkedIn Live event series serves as a valuable platform for professionals from diverse industries and backgrounds to gain actionable knowledge, exchange ideas, and discover innovative approaches to optimize their meeting experiences.


Check out the next upcoming episodes: here


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