The event timeline may be the most important ongoing tool when planning an event. The last item on every Events with Ginger & Co. timeline is certainly the most important tool overall – the post-event evaluation, or debrief. The definition of debrief – a series of questions about a completed mission or undertaking – is quite military-sounding. But it really does fit the bill when evaluating the event after it happens. We’ve just been “in the trenches” with the client as we worked closely together through the lead-up to and the event itself.

It is important to have a post-event evaluation as soon as possible after the event takes place. All the details remain fresh in everyone’s minds. Once all the involved parties are on a call together, we congratulate the client on a successful event. After getting everyone’s overall thoughts, we go through each of the Services relevant to the event. The Events with Ginger & Co. team has already weighed in on each subject, and those are shared with the client after the client has given their thoughts on each subject.

The questions and comments should be specific: How was the catering? Should that vendor be used again? Where was the timing off in the program? Was the crowd too big / not big enough at the silent suction tables? Was the post-race entertainment enjoyed by the majority of the participants? The post-event evaluation can set the template for future events – what worked this year and should be repeated, what didn’t have the intended impact that should be revamped for next year’s event.

Even though we were all at the same event, situations are seen differently by different people, so comparing notes on the event is always a good idea. After the post-event evaluation, all notes are compiled and given to the client for their records. Time to plan the next event with the client!