39+ Pre-Event Survey Questions to Help You Crush Your Next Event

Planning an event without knowing your audience is like setting up a dinner party without asking if your guests are vegetarian. That’s where pre-event surveys come in.

By asking the right mix of questions, you’ll uncover what attendees actually want from topics and speakers to logistics and accessibility needs.

This guide provides over 39+ ready-to-use pre-event survey questions to help make your next event a success.

Attendee Information Questions

These questions help you understand who’s coming. Keep it short and simple.

Examples:

1. What’s your name?
2. Company/Organization
3. Job Title/Role
4. Contact Email

Pro Tip: If attendees are already registered with this info, don’t ask again just link your survey tool to your registration system.

Ask About Event Awareness & Experience

You want to know how they found you and if they’ve attended before.

Examples:

5. How did you hear about this event?

6. Have you attended this event before?

7. Have you attended a similar event in the past?

8. Is there anything you’d like done differently based on past experiences?

Uncover Attendee Expectations

This is gold; it tells you what they want to gain from the event.

Examples:

9. What do you hope to achieve or learn at this event?

10. What topics would you like covered?

11. Are there any speakers you’d love to see?

12. On a scale of 1–10, how excited are you about attending?

Sort Out Logistics & Timing

These questions help you nail the schedule.

Examples:

13. What time would you prefer sessions to take place? (morning, afternoon, evening)

14. How often should breaks be?

15. How many sessions per day would you prefer?

16. Do you prefer weekday or weekend events?

Plan Networking & Socializing

If your event has networking, these questions are a must.

Examples:

17. Are you interested in networking sessions?

18. Do you prefer structured networking or informal mingling?

19. Which industries/professionals are you most keen to connect with?

20. Would you join a virtual networking session if available?

Customize Content & Formats

Find out how people like to consume content.

Examples:

21. What type of content interests you most? (keynotes, panels, workshops, etc.)

22. Do you prefer interactive formats like Q&A sessions?

23. How would you rate your expertise in the subject?

24. Would you like access to recordings after the event?

Check for Accessibility & Special Needs

Inclusivity is non-negotiable.

Examples:

25. Do you require any special accommodations?

26. How would you prefer to access event materials (app, website, printed)?

27. Do you need translation or captioning services?

28. Any accessibility feedback you’d like to share?

Ask About Catering (if relevant)

If you’re serving food, don’t skip this.

Examples:

29. Do you have dietary requirements (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)?

30. Would you be interested in an evening open bar?

31. Do you have food allergies we should know about?

32. What’s your favorite type of cuisine?

Throw in Fun Icebreaker Questions

Keep things engaging with light, personal questions.

Examples:

33. What song do you blast when nobody’s watching?

34. What’s your go-to snack during events?

35. If you could choose any location for an event, where would it be?

36. Share a fun fact about yourself!

Bonus: Pre-Meeting Survey Questions

For smaller, meeting-style events, these are perfect.

Examples:

37. What do you want to achieve in this meeting?

38. Are there specific topics you’d like to discuss?

39. Will you attend physically or virtually?

40. How would you like to receive meeting follow-ups?

Conclusion

Pre-event surveys are your secret weapon to planning an event that people rave about. From attendee info to catering preferences, asking the right questions ensures you don’t just host an event, you deliver an experience.

Use these 39+ pre-event survey questions as your template, plug them into Google Forms or Supatool, and watch your event planning stress melt away.

FAQs: Pre-Event Surveys

Q1. What is a pre-event survey?

A short questionnaire sent to attendees before an event to understand their needs, preferences, and expectations.

Q2. Why are pre-event surveys important?

They help you design content, schedules, and logistics that match what attendees actually want.

Q3. When should I send a pre-event survey?

1–2 weeks before the event works best, enough time to make adjustments but close enough for responses to be fresh.

Q4. How many questions should a pre-event survey have?

Keep it to 10–15 questions max. Attendees won’t complete long forms.

Q5. Should I follow up with a post-event survey?

Absolutely, pre-event surveys help you prepare, while post-event surveys help you improve for next time.