How to Measure Event Success

Everyone who throws an event hopes it’s a success, but many people don’t know how to determine whether their gathering was a hit. Without this information, it can be more difficult to plan future events. However, seasoned event professionals understand how to measure event success for functions of all shapes and sizes.

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, TCFLinen has learned how to tell whether an event was a success. Now, we’re sharing this insight with you, so sit back and learn how to measure success for events ranging from weddings to corporate functions.

The Basics of How to Measure Event Success

Different types of events have different definitions of success. For example, a wedding is often viewed as successful if the happy couple gets married and the guests have a good time. In contrast, a corporate networking event is usually considered a hit if it’s well-attended and helps the attendees make meaningful professional connections.

No matter what type of function you host, it’s smart to collect a combination of quantitative and qualitative data. In some cases, you might also hear quantitative data referred to as key performance indicators (KPIs).

When determining how to measure event success, examining the following areas can help:

Event attendance and participation
Engagement at the event and on social media
Revenue generated and ROI
Attendee and sponsor satisfaction

You can track this data during and after the event in the following ways:

During the Event	After the Event
Event attendance using ticket sales and check-in data.	Revenue analysis to compare revenue to expenses to determine ROI.
Event engagement is observed by observing session attendance and participation.	Long-term impact to view lead conversions, follow-up conversations, and ongoing engagement.
Sponsor engagement by reviewing sponsor booth visits and interactions.	Sponsor satisfaction is used to assess the value sponsors received from the event.
Real-time feedback using live polls and social media.	Post-event surveys are used to gather detailed feedback on attendee satisfaction.

Measuring Event Success For Different Types of Events

School Events

From dances like homecoming and prom to events like banquets and graduations, the school years have their fair share of memorable events. Whether you’re hosting at the school or a venue like a ballroom or a restaurant, it’s essential to determine how to measure event success.

Below are some quantitative and qualitative measures of school event success:

Quantitative Measures	Qualitative Measures
Event attendance - How many students came to the event?	Event engagement - Do the attendees seem to be enjoying themselves?
Revenue analysis - If tickets were sold, how much money was made? How does it compare to the expenses?	Ongoing conversations - Are students talking about the event in person and on social media? If so, what are they saying?
Post-event satisfaction surveys - These types of surveys can ask both quantitative and qualitative questions.

Corporate Events

Much like schools, the corporate world also hosts plenty of gatherings. From conferences and networking events to galas and fundraisers, there’s no shortage of events. At a networking event or conference, attendance and engagement are key. With a gala or fundraiser, it’s essential to consider how much was raised.

The following quantitative and qualitative measures can help you determine corporate event success:

Quantitative Measures	Qualitative Measures
Event attendance - How many people attended? What was the registration-to-attendance ratio?	Event engagement - What topics and speakers were the most popular? Did the attendees seem engaged?
Revenue analysis - How much revenue was generated? How much were the costs? What was the ROI?	Ongoing conversations - What are attendees saying about the event on social media?
Lead Generation and Conversions - How many qualified sales leads (QSL) were acquired? How many lead conversions were there?
Post-event satisfaction surveys - The questions might focus on the attendees’ satisfaction with the content quality, logistics, networking opportunities, and overall experience. Surveys can also be distributed to sponsors to learn about their overall experience and satisfaction.

Weddings

Wedding ceremonies and receptions are unique because their success is generally determined more subjectively. Rather than focusing on event attendance and funds raised, wedding success focuses on the enjoyment of the couple and their guests.

As a wedding venue, you can measure event success by observing the gathering and asking yourself specific questions.

Is the couple able to enjoy their wedding with as little stress as possible?
Are the wedding guests comfortable, engaged, and having fun?
Is the schedule of events proceeding as planned?

For further insight, you can look at both social media engagement and surveys after the big day. Significant engagement on social media suggests that the wedding was memorable for the right reasons. Additionally, distributing post-event surveys to the couple can help you gain insight into what went well and what you can improve upon for future ceremonies and receptions.

Private Parties

What do parties to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations, as well as class reunions and baby and wedding showers, all have in common? They’re special occasions that event venues often host.

To help each event be the best one yet, use the following quantitative and qualitative measures of success for private parties:

Quantitative Measures	Qualitative Measures
Event attendance - How many people attended the event?	Event engagement - Do the attendees seem to be enjoying themselves? Are things going as smoothly as possible for everyone?
Budget - Was it possible to stick to the budget when throwing the event?	Ongoing conversations - Are the attendees saying anything about the event on social media?
Post-event satisfaction surveys - Surveys can include both quantitative and qualitative questions to gauge how people feel about the event.

Find Wow-Worthy Event Decor at TCFLinen

Now that you know how to measure event success, turn to TCFLinen for the event essentials and extras you need to wow your guests for less. Our stunning selection includes linens, dinnerware, lighting, tabletop decor, artificial flowers, backdrops, and furniture at affordable prices.

When you join our Preferred Partner Program, you can enjoy special benefits:

Expert Guidance and Support: You’re never alone when you’re trying to select the perfect decor or place a large order because our experienced team is here to help!
High Quality and Low Prices: We have a wholesale pricing model, which means you can save more when you buy more event decor.
Speedy and Secure Shipping: You don’t need to stress about tight deadlines, thanks to our fast and reliable shipping options (including overnight delivery).
Backed by a Trusted Brand: TCFLinen is the wholesale division of Tableclothsfactory: a national leader in affordable, high-quality event decor with millions of satisfied customers.