# How to Write a Post-Event Report

A post-event report is more than a summary of a business meeting, awards ceremony or similar festivity. Instead, it analyzes the effectiveness of each element of an event. In business, post-event reports can help a company determine how well an event proceeded and whether to hold similar occasions in the future. Writing a quality post-event report requires careful consideration and fact-based reporting.

Consider the event's purpose first. Then think about whether the event met that purpose. If it was a marketing event, it should have introduced new customers to a product or service. If it was for charity, it should have raised awareness or funds for an organization. If it involved training, then the employees should have learned new information to make them perform better at work. In your report, focus on the event's effectiveness in accomplishing its purpose. If the event was ineffective, explain why you think that was and what must change to improve future events.

Evaluate all of the elements. If your event had several parts, do not focus on only the best and worst parts; consider all aspects of the day. Include your reflections on the speakers, materials and scheduling. If lunch or refreshments were served, include an evaluation of those items, too. An event is no better than the sum of its parts, so each part must be evaluated in a post-event report.

Get feedback from others. If you were in charge of the event, ask for feedback from the people you created it for. If it was an employee training seminar, ask the employees to tell you what they learned. If it was intended to be an entertaining event, ask guests to fill out a survey about how much fun they had -- or didn't have. You have to know how well your event reached its target audience to evaluate it fully.

Include both pros and cons. Some parts of your event may have gone very well; perhaps the banquet hall you rented was reasonably priced and included appropriate furnishings and appetizing refreshments. Other parts, however, may not have gone well, such as the keynote speaker arriving late or shortening his speech by 15 minutes, leaving you with time to fill. Include commentary about the good and the bad so that your company can strive to repeat the good and change the bad for the future occurrences.