Post-event data analysis isn’t just about gathering feedback — it’s the key to unlocking your event’s full potential and planning for even greater future success. Key performance indicators (KPIs) combined with qualitative feedback, like you gather in surveys, help planners go beyond the numbers to uncover what truly resonates with attendees and identify ways to improve the next event by turning feedback into actionable insights.
Most importantly, data proves your event’s Return on Experience (ROE).
Why ROE is important
Calculating event ROI (Return on Investment) is easy — you compare financial outcomes to money invested. Perhaps that’s why two out of three event planners report on it. However, ROE evaluates the holistic impact of an event on attendees’ experiences and engagement. That’s harder to decode and measure.
ROE is a critical measure of event success
ROE goes beyond dollars spent or earned. It’s the value attendees gain from the education and training they receive, the inspiration they gain to operate more efficiently, and the connections made to advance their careers that drive long-term impact. Event professionals build trust and credibility with stakeholders by focusing on ROE, proving they add value far beyond the event itself. Demonstrating ROE shows the C-suite that you are more than a planner — you’re a strategic advisor.
Now that you know why ROE is worth tracking, let’s discuss how to make that process easier.
Simple ways to track ROE
1. Make goals measurable and actionable.
ROE highlights how well your event delivered on its promise, whether it’s education, professional growth, networking opportunities or unforgettable experiences. Create goals based on those opportunities. Identify baseline measurements and develop ways to gather data to show progress, including post-event survey questions.
2. Capture and evaluate every aspect of the event’s impact.
Compare post-event data with your baseline measurements to track KPIs like revenue, sales and learning comprehension. Don’t forget to look at the qualitative feedback, too. For example, a leadership conference might have a high ROE if attendees leave with actionable insights. Capture data in real-time with a digital polling and feedback tool like Chime.
3. Leverage smarter tools for smarter insights.
Generative AI tools, like Spark, can analyze KPIs and anecdotal participant feedback as well as post-event surveys and provide suggestions and insights based on that data.
How event planners use ROE metrics
Measure ROE
ROE demonstrates the value of an event to stakeholders by showing the full impact of the participant experience on a range of outcomes related to future investment, relationships, professional development, brand loyalty and more. Tracking ROE also helps planners identify event strengths and areas for improvement. When you know how to calculate, analyze and share these insights, ROE will help you justify budgets and provide background for additional resource requests.
Want to make the most of your event surveys? Download a tip-sheet of helpful ways surveys can drive ROE!
Who receives these insights?
Share ROE insights with both internal and external stakeholders.
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- Internal stakeholders may include your organization’s senior leadership, finance, marketing and/or sales teams.
- External stakeholders could include sponsors, exhibitors, partners and event participants.
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How to report ROE metrics
Sharing your successes is a must. But data storytelling is an art.
Follow these tips to craft compelling ROE reports that engage.
1. Focus on the key takeaways. Highlight insights tied to the event’s goals. For example: “85 percent of attendees said the event increased their understanding of [topic].”
2. Use clear visuals. Pie charts or bar graphs make data easier to digest.
3. Tailor the presentation to your audience. Focus on what stakeholders care about. For leadership, explain high-level insights and their connection to broader business objectives. For sponsors, emphasize attendee engagement with their brand or offerings.
4. Leverage AI for reporting. Generative AI can help you customize data visualizations and presentations while predicting future outcomes based on past event data.
5. Share actionable recommendations. Connect suggested improvements to ROE metrics. For example, if 40 percent of the survey respondents requested more networking time, recommend adding an extra hour to the agenda.
Generate ongoing ROE success
ROE metrics hold the key to future improvements, especially if you keep track of your year-over-year performance.
Analyze responses for recurring themes or standout insights to help you understand how to best meet your audience’s needs. For example, if participants consistently rate speakers highly but request more interactive content, consider adding workshops next time.
Over time, this attention to measurement, analysis and reporting will distinguish your work from your peers and position you as a strategic leader within your organization. Best of all, you’ll have the data to prove the value of your events, whether you’re in a performance review, refreshing your resume or applying for a leadership position.
We’re invested in your success. Looking for new ways to elevate your events?
Winning strategies to boost event ROI
In today’s competitive landscape, creating events that not only captivate audiences but also deliver tangible returns on investment (ROI) and experience (ROE) is crucial.
Winning Strategy #1: Streamline invitations & check-in processes
Planner challenge: A crucial part of a winning strategy in ROI is calculating the cost per attendee.
Without an automated tool, planners are left trying to make sense of this all-important number with loose, inefficient processes: sign-in sheets, manual headcounts, incomplete information from surveys, or limited estimations based on venue capacity — none of which lead to solid figures.
Industry Tip:
Simplify event invitations and check-ins for accurate attendee counts and reporting.
The hero in your toolkit: An event invite and check-in tool, like Encore RSVP. This tool gives you a precise headcount and handles the legwork for seamless guest invitations, attendee management, and efficient onsite check-ins.
Use Encore RSVP to:
- Enable a streamlined, personalized experience
- Provide attendees with clear instructions
- Reduce wait times for onsite check-ins
Automating these processes cuts down on the tasks you’d otherwise do manually, minimizes errors, and saves valuable time for both you and your attendees, leading to higher attendance rates and positive word-of-mouth referrals — all of which contribute to improved event success and ROI.
Winning Strategy #2: Leverage Data Analytics
Planner challenge:
A big item in every post-event review? The bottom line. Stakeholders expect planners to communicate:
- The total amount of revenue generated compared to total budget
- Expense allocations
- The investment that delivered the biggest impact on attendees
You may know the total dollars spent, but to confidently address any further financial questions, you’ll need reliable, easy-to-understand insights to support your responses.
Industry Tip:
Harness data insights for evidence-based post-event reporting and recommendations.
The hero in your toolkit: An event app, like Chime Live℠, gathers actionable data on attendee behavior, session engagement, and event performance.
You can check out its live analytics dashboard anytime during or post-event for a clear view of the number of attendees logged in, session participation, interactions with content, and audience feedback.
When it’s time for that big post-event debrief, you’ll have the information you need to show which sessions or activities resonated most with attendees. This empowers you to advise how to allocate resources more effectively towards high-engagement areas so your organization’s future events are primed for optimal attendance and maximized ROI.
Winning Strategy # 3: Increase Sponsorship Visibility
Planner challenge: Demonstrating a clear return on investment to sponsors is crucial for both ROI and sustaining beneficial sponsor contributions in the future.
Sponsors boost events with essential funding, enhanced resources, broader reach and increased credibility, benefiting both organizers and planners. But how do you meet sponsor expectations and engage their customer audiences to increase their sales while balancing event integrity and the attendee experience?
Industry Tip:
By leveraging dynamic digital displays, sponsors gain enhanced visibility without overshadowing your programming. Meanwhile, attendees enjoy a more engaging event experience.
The hero in your toolkit: Introduce sponsor brands in creative ways while capturing participants’ attention with digital signage.
Beyond compelling content, Encore interactive signage provides engagement metrics, enabling you to report on the effectiveness of the display advertising.
Why should you incorporate tech into your sponsor promotions? Events leveraging technology for sponsorship activations experienced a 20 percent rise in sponsor satisfaction. And satisfied sponsors are more likely to invest in future events.
Winning Strategies to Boost Event ROE
Winning Strategy #1: Increase Opportunities for Interaction
Planner challenge: Participant engagement is a top event goal for organizers, as it influences attendee satisfaction and overall event success.
With today’s shorter attention spans and higher post-pandemic expectations for in-person events, planners face the challenge of adding excitement and interaction to sessions to keep participants interested and involved.
Industry Tip:
Encourage active participation through live polling and Q&A sessions, enhancing attendee satisfaction and event ROE.
The hero in your toolkit: Integrate an event app, like our Audience Response Solutions or Chime Live℠, to facilitate audience participation, encourage interaction and foster lively discussions between participants. Do it all with the touch of a button with:
- Live Q&A/Polling: Facilitate fun icebreakers to get attendees warmed up, open up the dialogue with real-time Q&A and polls, and enable participants to respond to topics with emojis.
- Content Customization: Participants can suggest topics they want to discuss with the Emerging Themes tool. They can upvote those they find most relevant. Providing supplemental resources? Easily offer targeted content to different audience segments within the app. This personalization lets them know you see them and understand their needs to foster a sense of belonging.
- Live Chat: Enable live chat for attendees to communicate with each other and with speakers. Plus, seamlessly connect with social media platforms for sharing and interaction.
- Live Q&A/Polling: Facilitate fun icebreakers to get attendees warmed up, open up the dialogue with real-time Q&A and polls, and enable participants to respond to topics with emojis.
These features keep participants actively involved in your program and drive engagement — underpinning your event success and high ROE outcomes.
Winning Strategy #2: Engage the Senses to Enhance Learning
Planner challenge:
A key aspect of ROE is your educational impact. This may be assessed by information retention or the number of continuing education credits (CEUs) offered/registered for. To enhance these outcomes, your challenge is to ensure your educational sessions are primed for success.
If your approach to knowledge sharing doesn’t captivate participants, you run the risk of attendees’ eyes glazing over at exactly the moment you hope to intrigue them with learnings.
Industry Tip:
Why immersive experiences?
- A study found immersive learning can boost retention rates by up to 75 percent.
- 85% of planners believe that immersive experiences foster greater attendee engagement, according to Encore research.
The hero in your toolkit: Incorporate elements that engage the senses and immerse attendees in your storytelling. Your mission? Transform the experience into something truly memorable.
Need ideas for inspiration? Bring your audience along with your speakers as they deliver their message. Transport participants to exotic islands, faraway planets, or compelling emotional spaces with wrap-around LED video walls.
Another tactic? Dial up the energy or create a relaxing ambiance by creating a sound bath with overhead speakers that move music in a wave from one side of the room to another.
Interested in more immersive experience hacks? Check out ways to boost learning and engagement with multisensory experiences.
Winning Strategy #3: Leverage “Matchmaking” Networking
Planner challenge:
One of the most valuable parts of in-person experiences for attendees is the connections they make at events. Your program needs to balance structured interaction with organic connections, to ensure attendees get the most value out of your sessions. Success requires careful curation and dynamic facilitation to foster meaningful interactions.
Industry Tip:
Ensure your event strategy includes agenda time for networking and incorporate scenarios in your program that encourage attendees to mingle.
The hero in your toolkit: A robust event app, like Chime Live℠, can facilitate “matchmaking” networking opportunities, foster connections and promote collaboration among attendees.
Chime Live’s customized networking features help participants discover other attendees they’re interested in connecting with, based on industry, interests, job titles and more.
This more personalized “matchmaking” during networking sessions enhances attendee experiences, resulting in successful collaborations and enriched attendee satisfaction, thus boosting ROE and networking ROI.
The Power of Partnership
By implementing these proactive strategies, planners can unlock the full potential of their events, driving both financial success and exceptional attendee experiences.
Choosing a full-service event production partner, like Encore, can be an invaluable part of this journey. Leverage the experts to help set your event strategy and deliver the end-to-end creative, production and technology solutions that support your ROI and ROE goals.
We’d love to partner on delivering an event that resonates with both your audience and your bottom line. Click here to schedule a free consultation!
Illuminating Insights Into LED Walls
Looking to rejuvenate your event space? Vibrant LED walls offer the perfect solution for captivating content that brings the ‘WOW’ to your messaging. Whether your event is indoors or outdoors, bright or dim, deliver attention-grabbing content across screens of versatile shapes and sizes. Expand your knowledge of this popular scenic solution in our FREE LED Wall Technology Resource Guide!
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Seeking personalized guidance on impressing participants with LED walls at your next event? Request a FREE consultation! We’d love to transform your vision into an unforgettable event that sparks connections and inspiration.
Drive Connection with Immersive Experiences
Immerse yourself in the art of Immersive Event Design, focusing on human-centered principles and key frameworks like the Double Diamond method. Explore techniques such as the double diamond design process and the strategic integration of technology as a complementary tool.
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Interested in tailored advice? Book a FREE consultation when requesting your download! We’d love to transform your vision into an unforgettable event that sparks connections and inspiration.
Strengthen engagement with
tactile experiences
Ready to transform your events? Discover the power of touch when using technology to engage participants, deepen connections, and create memorable experiences by leveraging tactile sensations! It’s all in our FREE guide, Harnessing the Potential of Touch with Technology!
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Explore how to:
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- Enhance learning through tactile experiences, aiding problem-solving and collaboration
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- Elevate events with the throwable Catchbox microphone, Chime Live, Polling+ and more popular tech solutions that work for your goals
Interested in tailored advice? Book a FREE consultation when requesting your download! We’d love to transform your vision into an unforgettable event that sparks connections and inspiration.
Delight guests with a sensory feast
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Enhance interactions with
proven aromas
Did you know 75% of all emotions generated every day are related to smell? When it comes to your events, leveraging the power of scent can enhance the experience and make it even more memorable, creating a lasting impact!
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Amplify your impact through
audio excellence
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Interested in tailored advice? Book a FREE consultation when requesting your download! We’d love to transform your vision into an unforgettable event that sparks connections and inspiration.
Drive emotional resonance with
visual experiences
Did you know approximately 75% of what we learn happens through what we see?
When done effectively, leveraging the power of visuals can boost participant learning, interaction and more at your events. Explore actionable insights, expert advice, and key tips on leveraging visual experiences for these outcomes in our FREE guide, The Power of Visuals to Enhance Learning and Engagement!
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Discover how to:
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- And much more!
Interested in tailored advice? Book a FREE consultation when requesting your download! We’d love to transform your vision into an unforgettable event that sparks connections and inspiration.
Find the Perfect Blend of Technology Solutions to Transform Your
Small Meetings
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