Explori Blog

Defining success goes far beyond just a single metric. Event organizers often rely on tools like Net Promoter Score (NPS) to measure attendee satisfaction, but is that really enough to gauge the true success of an event? Success should be approached through a combination of metrics, benchmarking and long-term data analysis; all of which offer deeper insights into event performance. The Need for Data-Driven Event Success While traditional performance indicators like NPS can offer valuable insights, they represent only a snapshot of the event experience. To fully understand what works and where improvements can be made, event professionals need to look beyond surface-level data. This means using a holistic approach that includes multiple performance metrics, including: Registration-to-attendance conversion rates Event dwell time Online platform engagement Re-booking rates Attendee demographics Explori emphasizes the importance of benchmarking to not only understand this data but also to compare it against industry standards and historical performance. This allows event planners to truly assess how well their event has performed and identify areas for improvement. Benchmarking: A Critical Tool for Event Success Benchmarking offers event organizers a way to track the success of their events over time and across different contexts. Rather than focusing solely on this year’s performance, benchmarking provides long-term insight. Explori explains that looking at trends—such as a consistent decline in NPS over several years—helps planners adjust their strategy proactively. Event-level benchmarking helps measure how individual events are performing in real-time, but it’s equally important to compare these results against broader company-level data. With company-level benchmarking, event managers can assess whether their events are meeting the organization's overarching goals. Are they outperforming or underperforming compared to other events within the company portfolio? This comparison can lead to valuable lessons and help in optimizing future event strategies. Internal vs. External Benchmarking While internal benchmarking (comparing across different events within the same organization) is important, external benchmarking—comparing your events against industry standards and competitors—provides critical context. Explori points out that using external industry and sector benchmarks allows event professionals to: Evaluate performance against competitors Set realistic performance targets Identify the factors behind performance gaps Industry benchmarks can provide a broader perspective, helping planners understand whether their events are meeting, exceeding, or falling behind the expectations of the market. However, obtaining reliable external benchmarks can be challenging without a dedicated survey platform or provider. Explori’s platform is designed to provide comprehensive industry benchmarks based on years of data gathered from diverse events across the globe. Data Visualization: Making Sense of Metrics Once the necessary data is gathered through benchmarking, it’s essential to make that information accessible and understandable for key stakeholders within the organization. Explori recommends utilizing visual dashboards to display these performance metrics clearly, enabling quick insights and better decision-making. By integrating this data into an easily digestible format, everyone involved can assess event performance at a glance, fostering a deeper understanding of what works and what needs improvement. Continuous Growth and Improvement Ultimately, event success is not a static achievement—it’s a dynamic process that requires ongoing learning and adaptation. Explori’s approach stresses that success in the event world should be seen as a continuous journey, fuelled by data and actionable insights. By embracing data-driven decisions and using benchmarking as a compass for improvement, event professionals can drive consistent growth, refine their strategies, and deliver more impactful events. Conclusion To summarize, event success is a multifaceted goal that requires a blend of metrics, benchmarks, and continuous evaluation. With tools like Explori’s survey platform and benchmarking capabilities, event organizers can unlock deeper insights into their event performance, making adjustments that lead to improved results in the future. Success is not just about a number on a scorecard—it’s about using data to shape better events and more meaningful experiences for attendees. For more information and to explore the power of benchmarking, visit Explori’s detailed insights on What Does Success Mean For Your Event.

In the dynamic world of events, it’s crucial to have a measurement and insights expert that understands the varying strategic importance of each event. At Explori, we recognize that not all events are created equal. That’s why we’ve developed a four-tiered service level system, specifically designed to align with the diverse needs of your event portfolio. Why use Explori’s tiered service system? Explori’s tiered service system provides a structured way to determine the appropriate level of service for each event. By tailoring our offerings to fit the strategic importance of your events, we help you optimize outcomes, maximize ROI and make data-driven decisions that align with your overall business goals. Understanding these tiers is essential for ensuring all your events receive the best practice level of service therefore enabling effective and impactful results. Let’s walk through our four-tier system, starting from Tier 1 and moving up to Tier 4. Tier 1: Flagship Exhibits and Headline Events At the top of our tiered system is Tier 1, reserved for your flagship events—those that define your company’s presence in the industry. These are your headline proprietary events or major exhibits that feature prominently in your company’s event calendar. With investments often venturing into seven figures, these events come with high levels of publicity and significant C-Suite interest. The stakes are high, and the risk to reputation is considerable if these events do not meet expectations. Tier 1 events require the most comprehensive service level. Explori provides persona-led insights, ensuring the event or exhibit meets the needs of all key audience segments. This tier includes tailored surveys, e-surveys and onsite interviews, along with in-depth benchmarking to provide a holistic view of performance. Bespoke research is conducted to shape the future strategic direction of these events, with findings presented in person to engage stakeholders at all levels. This tier ensures that your flagship events not only meet but exceed expectations, driving long-term success. Tier 2: High-profile and key internal events Tier 2 is suited for high-profile events that play a significant role in your company’s external or internal communications strategy. These could be proprietary market-facing events, important internal events such as annual general meetings (AGMs), or high-profile exhibits. Events in this category often require a higher investment, frequently reaching six figures, and typically attract attention from the C-Suite due to their strategic importance. For these events, Explori recommends a pro insight upgrade. This service level offers insights, alongside tailored surveys that ensure specific event objectives are met. Benchmarking against company and industry standards, as well as year-on-year comparisons, provides a comprehensive view of performance. Research findings are presented virtually or in person to key stakeholders, ensuring thorough understanding and engagement. Tier 3: Standard exhibits and larger internal events Moving down the ladder, Tier 3 is designed for events that are more strategically significant than Tier 4 events. These might include standard or routine exhibits, annual kick-offs, or larger internal events such as employee celebrations. These events usually involve a moderate investment, typically in the five-figure range and are important at the management level. For Tier 3 events, we recommend using a self-service license to access detailed business intelligence tools. However, if a deeper analysis is needed—perhaps for a distressed event or a new event type—you can upgrade to a pro insight service delivery. This flexibility ensures that even routine events can be analyzed thoroughly when necessary, providing insights that can inform future planning and optimization. Tier 4: Routine internal meetings and free webinars Tier 4 is our lightest touch service level, perfect for events that are routine in nature, such as internal meetings or free webinars. For these events, Explori recommends a self-service license, allowing you to access and analyze your results via our intuitive dashboards. The strategic quadrant analysis and in-platform reports provide you with valuable insights without overwhelming resources or budget. This tier is ideal for events with minimal strategic impact but where understanding attendee feedback is still valuable. Ready to find out more? Watch our video explanation for a detailed walkthrough of each tier and how it can benefit your events. If you’re unsure which service level is right for your event or want more information, feel free to use the form below to contact our sales team. We’re here to help you make the most of your event measurement and insights

At Explori, while the post-event survey is a crucial tool for gathering feedback, it's not the solution for every insight need. Overloading this survey can lead to diminished response rates, unreliable data, and participant fatigue. In this guide, we'll explore alternative methods for data collection that complement the post-event survey, ensuring you get the most relevant insights without overwhelming your audience. Why Consider Multiple Data Collection Methods? When gathering feedback, different departments often have various, specific needs. Whether it's assessing the effectiveness of new marketing initiatives, understanding the attendee experience, or evaluating the event's operational aspects, the temptation to include everything in a single post-event survey is strong. However, this approach can backfire. Lengthy surveys not only lower response rates but also dilute the quality of the data collected. Instead, it's crucial to match the right data collection method to the right feedback need. Here are some alternative approaches to consider: When and How to Use QR Codes QR codes are an excellent tool for gathering real-time feedback, particularly for conference sessions or specific event activities. By placing a short (1-3 questions) survey behind a QR code, attendees can provide immediate feedback while their experience is still fresh. This method is more effective than trying to capture session feedback in a post-event survey, where details may be forgotten or skewed over time. When and How to Use Micro-Surveys Micro-surveys are ideal for capturing point-in-time feedback on specific interactions, such as the registration process or exhibitor support. Deploying these short surveys immediately after an event interaction ensures more accurate data and helps avoid the memory decay associated with post-event surveys. For example, following the completion of an online registration, a quick survey can appear asking about the ease of the process. When and How to Use In-Person Measurement In-person measurement is invaluable when feedback is needed from niche or hard-to-reach audiences, such as VIP attendees or specific exhibitors. This method is particularly useful in markets where online survey response rates are low. Rather than relying on traditional pen-and-paper methods, equip interviewers with tablets to collect feedback digitally, ensuring data is captured accurately and efficiently. What to Leave in the Post-Show Survey The post-event survey should focus on high-level evaluations, such as: Overall sentiment about the event Key drivers of attendee satisfaction Achievement of event objectives Likelihood of future participation To optimize response rates, distribute the post-show survey using unique links, allowing for targeted follow-ups and more detailed analysis. In some cases, distributing the survey via social media or your event website with a campaign link might be more appropriate. Talk to Us Unsure of which data collection methods are best for your project? Explori’s team of experts is here to help. Whether it's refining your post-event survey or exploring alternative methods like QR codes, micro-surveys, or in-person interviews, we're ready to provide the guidance you need. Contact your account manager to set up a meeting or reach out directly to Explori’s Head of Research at: s.vanmontfoort@explori.com. Alternatively view our demo video here: