Picture this: Your event was a booming success. Attendees were engaged, speakers were insightful, and the energy was unmatched. Now, what happens when the lights go off and everyone goes home?
For membership organizations, the post-event period offers a chance to convert that energy into lasting member relationships. Failing to follow up effectively can mean losing momentum and missing a golden opportunity to drive long-term growth and boost registrations for future events.
Your events are just one step in the member journey. Instead of viewing the event’s end as a finish line, treat it as a starting block for deeper engagement.
To get started, you’ll just need a proactive plan that extends the experience and continues to prove your organization’s value. Let’s explore post-event engagement strategies that keep people interested and transform satisfied attendees into passionate advocates for your organization.
1. Launch a dedicated online community.
The conversations started at your event shouldn’t end there. Create a dedicated online space where people can continue networking, sharing ideas, and discussing session topics.
As Higher Logic’s guide to online community software puts it: “Instead of waiting for the next email campaign or annual conference, members can participate in ongoing discussions, ask questions, and connect with peers anytime they want.” An effective online community centralizes the post-event experience and provides a home for member interaction long after the closing keynote.
Networking and connecting are a big part of events. In fact, 21.1% of surveyed event planners are hoping to see improvements in the collaboration and networking tools they use to run their events. Event apps and online communities are great tools for housing and managing your online community.
To create an engaging digital space, look for a solution that includes:
- A member directory to help attendees find and connect with peers they met at your event
- Discussion forums that allow for focused conversations to continue after the event
- Polling and survey tools to quickly gather feedback and spark discussions
- A resource library where you can publish event materials
When your community platform is connected to your membership software, all of a member's activity is stored in one central profile. This provides a comprehensive view of their participation. From there, you can easily spot your most active members and see which community topics are most popular, making your future post-event communications even more engaging.
How to spark conversations in your online community
Once your platform is in place, your next step is to encourage communications. Don’t expect your online community to run itself, especially in the beginning. Here are some ideas to keep conversations going after each event:
- Post discussion prompts based on the most popular event sessions.
- Invite speakers to participate in follow-up Q&A threads or "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) sessions.
- Encourage members to share their own key takeaways or photos from the event.
- Run a contest or giveaway for the most active community participant.
An online community transforms a temporary event into a permanent asset for your organization. By providing a platform for connection and actively managing it, you empower members to build relationships and foster a year-round sense of belonging.
2. Share post-event resources.
Your event generates plenty of valuable content, from expert presentations to insightful attendee discussions. By repackaging and sharing this content with attendees, you reinforce the benefits of membership and extend the lifespan of your event's key takeaways.
Consider sharing:
- Speaker slide decks and supplementary materials
- Recordings of all sessions, allowing attendees to revisit key moments or catch presentations they couldn’t attend live
- Summary reports or eBooks that capture the event’s most important insights or action items
Position these resources as a thank-you gift for attending, not just a replay. For example, package them in a polished, easy-to-navigate hub or bundle them into an “attendee-only learning series” in your learning management system (LMS). Small touches like bonus materials that weren’t shared live can make the content feel exclusive and rewarding.
Use your membership management software to grant access and send personalized emails with direct links to these resources, so only registered attendees benefit. Exclusive access provides everyone with a compelling reason to attend your next event!
3. Survey attendees and act on feedback.
The best way to improve future events is to listen to the people who just attended your last one. Send out a post-event survey to gather feedback on everything from session topics and speaker quality to logistics and networking opportunities.
As iMIS explains in its member engagement guide, you can’t necessarily implement every suggestion. However, you can spot trends in members’ feedback to determine the most important areas to focus on. For example, let’s say multiple attendees mentioned that they had trouble finding the session schedule. For your next event, you might prioritize implementing a mobile event app that provides instant access to the schedule.
Once members’ responses are in, act on them. Show members you’re listening by sharing your responses to their feedback. This will go a long way in making your members feel heard.
4. Use member data to fuel engagement.
From the sessions a member attends to the resources they download, every action generates valuable member data. A membership management system brings all of this information together, providing a complete picture of each member’s interests in one place. A unified view helps you move beyond generic communication and create a smarter, more personalized follow-up strategy.
Here’s how you can use member data to create a better post-event experience:
- Send personalized follow-up messages. Create automated emails based on member behavior. For example, you might send a follow-up email with related articles and resources to everyone who attended a specific session.
- Tailor the web experience. Use event attendance, content downloads, and members’ other interests to personalize what they see when they visit your website. Your system may automatically highlight community forums or future events related to the topics members have shown interest in.
- Reward engagement. See which members actively engage with your events, online community, and post-event resources. In turn, you can offer them a chance to volunteer, join a committee, or speak at a future event, ultimately making them feel more valued.
Go a step further by using your member data to fuel engagement before your event, too! When preparing for your next event, you can recommend specific sessions based on members’ interests and past interactions.
Ultimately, this post-event engagement strategy depends on your membership management technology. For instance, your organization might use an engagement management system (EMS), which combines the functionalities of an association management system (AMS), content management system (CMS), and constituent relationship management system (CRM).

With it, you can track and act on member engagement across all touchpoints, including your events, communities, content, and communications. This makes it easier to nurture relationships long after your event ends!
5. Build hype for your next member event.
Use the momentum from your event to immediately start building excitement for the next one. If possible, announce the dates and location for your next gathering—better yet, offer an exclusive “early-bird” registration discount.
This rewards their loyalty and encourages members to commit early when engagement is at its peak! You’ll solidify your organization’s events as can’t-miss opportunities in your members’ calendars, helping you drive a predictable revenue stream and sustained engagement.
Start using your favorite post-event engagement strategies!
Effective post-event engagement is about shifting your mindset from hosting a single event to cultivating a year-round community. By providing opportunities for connection and delivering continuous value, you transform attendees into dedicated advocates for your organization.
Start by implementing one of these strategies after your next event. By focusing on building long-term relationships, you will not only boost member retention but also lay the groundwork for sustainable growth and a more vibrant community.
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