The best examples of polls for event planning feedback - 3 core examples (plus more ideas)

Core examples of polls for event planning feedback – 3 examples you can copy today

Let’s start with three core examples of polls for event planning feedback that almost every organizer can use. Think of these as your starter kit: one for before, one for during, and one for after the event.

1. Pre-event interest and format poll (before people register)

This is the “Are we planning the right thing?” poll. Use it on Instagram Stories, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), or in your email newsletter before you lock in your agenda.

You might frame it like this:

“We’re planning our next [event type]. Which format would you be most excited about?”
• A. In-person only
• B. Hybrid (in-person + virtual)
• C. Virtual only
• D. Short, monthly sessions instead

Why this works:

• It tells you if people are still comfortable and interested in in-person events, or if hybrid is the better move (a big question since 2020 and still relevant in 2024–2025).
• It helps you forecast attendance and budget more realistically.
• It makes your audience feel involved before they even buy a ticket.

You can follow up with a second poll:

“What’s the main reason you’d attend this event?”
• A. Networking
• B. Learning new skills
• C. Hearing from experts
• D. Access to recordings/resources

These two questions together are a strong example of polls for event planning feedback because they shape your entire event strategy: format, pricing, and marketing messages.

2. Live session satisfaction poll (during the event)

Once the event is happening, you don’t want to wait until it’s over to find out if people are bored, confused, or loving it. A quick live poll gives you instant feedback.

Here’s a simple example of a poll you can run in your event app, Zoom, or on social during a break:

“How useful has today’s content been so far?”
• A. Extremely useful
• B. Somewhat useful
• C. Neutral
• D. Not very useful

Then, a second follow-up poll:

“What would you like more of this afternoon?”
• A. Q&A with speakers
• B. Hands-on demos/workshops
• C. Networking time
• D. Shorter talks / more variety

This is one of the best examples of polls for event planning feedback during the event because you can change course in real time. If most people pick “more Q&A,” you can cut a long lecture and add an audience Q&A segment. That’s not just feedback; that’s live event optimization.

Platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and many event apps include built-in polling tools. For broader trends on hybrid and virtual engagement, you can browse resources from organizations like ED.gov and Harvard’s teaching and learning resources to see how live feedback is being used in learning environments.

3. Post-event “would you come back?” poll (after the event)

This one is your reality check. After the event, attention drops fast, so you need one or two sharp questions that people can answer in seconds.

You might post this on LinkedIn, Instagram, or send it in an email with one-click responses:

“Based on your experience, how likely are you to attend our next event?”
• A. Definitely
• B. Probably
• C. Not sure
• D. Probably not

Then a follow-up poll a day later:

“What’s the #1 thing we should improve for next time?”
• A. Venue/technology
• B. Speakers/content
• C. Food & refreshments
• D. Schedule/length

This is a clean, high-signal example of polls for event planning feedback. The first question gives you a quick read on loyalty. The second shows you exactly where to focus your energy for the next event.

For more structured post-event surveys, you can draw on best practices from sources like Harvard’s Program on Survey Research for question wording and bias reduction.

More real examples of polls for event planning feedback you can adapt

Those three core examples will cover most events. But let’s go deeper with more specific, real examples of polls for event planning feedback you can tailor to your audience.

Poll ideas for choosing topics and speakers

When you’re unsure which topics will actually attract people, use your social channels as a test lab.

You might ask:

“We’re finalizing our speaker lineup. Which topic are you most excited to learn about?”
• A. AI tools you can use today
• B. Career growth in a changing economy
• C. Mental health and burnout
• D. Leadership and communication

This is a great example of a poll for event planning feedback because:

• It doubles as market research and pre-event promotion.
• It helps you avoid building a program around topics people don’t care about.
• It gives speakers data about what the audience wants, so they can refine their talks.

You can also run a more direct “speaker style” poll:

“What speaker style do you prefer?”
• A. Short talks (10–15 minutes)
• B. Deep dives (30–45 minutes)
• C. Panels with multiple voices
• D. Interactive workshops

If you’re planning professional development or educational events, it can be helpful to cross-check your instincts with learning research from sources like NIH’s National Library of Medicine or teaching-focused resources on Harvard.edu, which often discuss attention spans and engagement.

Polls about food, accessibility, and comfort

Events aren’t just about content. People remember how they felt: hungry, energized, overwhelmed, comfortable.

Here’s an example of a pre-event poll that quietly improves your logistics:

“For in-person events, which food option works best for you?”
• A. Full meal (fewer options, more filling)
• B. Light snacks all day
• C. Coffee/tea only
• D. I don’t need food provided

And another, focused on accessibility:

“What would make our event more accessible for you?”
• A. Live captions
• B. Quiet space / sensory room
• C. Step-free access everywhere
• D. Virtual attendance option

These are powerful examples of polls for event planning feedback because they directly impact inclusion. For more on accessibility guidelines, you can review resources from the U.S. Access Board (Access-Board.gov) or disability inclusion organizations (.org domains) to make sure your options are thoughtful and informed.

Polls to test event timing and length

If your attendance has been soft, it might not be your content—it might be your timing.

Try something like:

“When are you most likely to attend a 2-hour event?”
• A. Weekday mornings
• B. Weekday evenings
• C. Saturday daytime
• D. Sunday afternoon

And a follow-up:

“What event length do you prefer?”
• A. 60–90 minutes
• B. Half day
• C. Full day
• D. Multi-day conference

These examples of polls for event planning feedback help you stop guessing and start scheduling around your audience’s real lives. For global audiences, you can even segment polls by time zone.

How to use these examples of polls for event planning feedback on different platforms

The same question can feel very different on different platforms. Here’s how to adapt the best examples of polls for event planning feedback to where your audience actually hangs out.

On Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are perfect for quick, low-friction polls. The built-in poll and emoji slider tools make it easy.

For example:

Slide 1: “Planning our fall meetup…”
Slide 2 (poll): “Would you come to an in-person event in [city]?”
• Yes, I’m in
• Maybe, tell me more

Then a second story:

“What day works best?”
• Weeknight
• Weekend

Because Stories disappear after 24 hours, you can repeat similar examples of polls for event planning feedback every few months without feeling repetitive.

On LinkedIn

LinkedIn polls tend to attract more professional, thoughtful responses, especially for conferences, B2B events, or training programs.

You might post:

“If you attended a one-day leadership workshop, what would be your top priority?”
• Practical frameworks you can use immediately
• Networking with peers
• Coaching/feedback on your own challenges
• Access to templates and tools afterward

This is a strong example of a poll for event planning feedback because the comments often add nuance. Encourage people to explain their choice in the comments so you get both quantitative and qualitative insight.

On event platforms and apps

If you’re using an event app or webinar platform, you can run polls anonymously during sessions.

For example:

“How confident do you feel about using what you’ve learned today?”
• Very confident
• Somewhat confident
• Not very confident
• Not sure yet

This kind of poll is widely used in education and training. Organizations like ED.gov and major universities have written about using quick feedback loops to improve learning outcomes—your event is no different.

Turning poll responses into better events (the part most people skip)

Collecting feedback is easy. Using it well is where most organizers fall short.

Here’s a simple way to make these examples of polls for event planning feedback actually matter:

Group results into themes.
Instead of obsessing over every single percentage, look for patterns:

• Are people consistently asking for more Q&A and less lecture?
• Are they choosing shorter sessions and more breaks?
• Is accessibility or hybrid attendance a recurring need?

Make one or two visible changes.
Don’t try to fix everything at once. Pick the most common requests and clearly address them in your next event announcement:

“You asked for more hands-on time, so this year we’re adding live workshops and extended Q&A with each speaker.”

This closes the loop. People are more likely to answer future polls when they see you actually act on the feedback.

Watch trends over time.
In 2020–2021, most polls were about safety and virtual options. By 2024–2025, trends have shifted toward hybrid flexibility, mental health, and work-life balance. Health organizations like CDC.gov and Mayo Clinic have highlighted ongoing concerns about burnout and stress—factors that absolutely influence whether people have the energy to attend your event.

If you run similar examples of polls for event planning feedback year after year, you’ll see how your audience’s priorities are changing.

Quick FAQ about using polls for event planning feedback

Q: What’s a simple example of a poll for event planning feedback I can use this week?
A: Try this on your main social channel: “If we hosted a [topic] event next month, would you join us?” with options like “In person,” “Virtual,” “Maybe,” and “Not interested.” It’s low-pressure, but it tells you whether to move forward and in what format.

Q: How many poll questions should I ask at once?
A: On social media, keep it to one or two questions per day. In an event app or email, you can ask a few more, but shorter is better. The best examples of polls for event planning feedback are quick to answer and crystal clear.

Q: Are polls enough, or do I still need full surveys?
A: Polls are great for high-level direction and fast decisions. For deeper insight—like detailed session feedback or demographic info—you’ll still want a longer survey. You can use polls to drive people to that survey by asking a teaser question first.

Q: Should polls be anonymous?
A: For sensitive topics (accessibility, safety, pricing), anonymity usually gets more honest answers. For lighter topics (food, swag, music), it doesn’t matter as much. Many of the best examples of polls for event planning feedback mix both: anonymous in-session polls plus non-anonymous follow-up surveys for those who opt in.

Q: How often can I run these polls without annoying people?
A: If your polls are relevant and short, more often than you think. A good rhythm is: a few pre-event polls while planning, one or two live polls during the event, and one or two follow-up polls afterward. Just avoid asking the same question every week unless you’re clearly tracking a trend.

If you use even a handful of these examples of polls for event planning feedback, you’ll move from guessing to knowing—and your attendees will feel like partners in creating the experience, not just ticket buyers.