Evaluation report of the analysis of feedback data from the Applied Improv Conference held in Chicago, October 2008

1. AIN Chicago Conference 2008
Feedback
“ This conference expands my horizons
and pushes me out of my comfort zone.”

2. 42
responses
Thanks!

3. 42?
Hey! Isn’t that the answer to
the Ultimate Question of Life, the
Universe, and Everything?
Cool.

4. Was this your first AIN Conference?
Yes
31%
No
69%

5. Where’s home?

6. 29%
67%
4%

7. How would you rate the conference
overall?
15
10
5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Urgh! Wow!

8. How would you rate the
pre-conference workshops?
Thiagi Mick Sue/Paul
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Wow!

9. Of Thiagi:
“It was great to meet The Legend”

10. How would
you rate the
Open Space
Day?

11. The Open Space Day...
“Would have liked to have seen open space
15
sessions throughout the whole conference
instead of all in one day.”
10
5
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Wow!

12. 15
Value for $£€?
“[It] was very valuable, however it
was also rather expensive...
10 especially adding in the cost of
airfares and accommodation.”
5
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

13. How would you rate
the hotel?

14. “The venue was too luxurious...could be
simpler and with more feeling.”
“The hotel was great, but why be in Chicago if you’re not *in Chicago?*”
15
10
5
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

15. Highlights

16. “Karen Dawson’s “The workshop given by On Your Feet, Matt Weinstein
workshop on coaching. and Yael Schy were superb”
Matt’s on games. The live
biz client with Paul Z.”
“The variety of workshops”
“Aleike & Iris session”
“Matt’s workshop and that
wonderful, silly James Bond
dance, and I also found terrific
value in the smaller group
“Individual experiences”
workshops with
Sue Walden
“Rock Paper Scissors in Matt’s workshop”
and Teresa
Norton. Very
practical, very
hands on, very “Andrea’s and Viv’s sessions”
informative”
“The interesting variety of sessions”
“Live client interview with Paul Jackson”

17. The Keynotes

18. N !
T IO
E C
N N
C O

19. And of course,
(drum roll please...)

20. SPONTANEITY!

21. We’d like
more...

22. Open Space...

23. Down time for
socialising...

24. Games & activities...

25. We’d like
less...

26. Speech making, talking
heads & theater-style
seating...

27. So...

28. What difference has this
conference made to you,
personally and professionally?

29. Connecting...

30. Confidence...
Courage...
Inspiration...

31. Energized...

32. New tools & ideas...
“It helps me reframe how I
might use improv games”

33. “This is my third time attending AIN. Each
year I leave more connected with the applied
improv network of practitioners and with
tools to use right away. My business benefits
directly from my time at AIN.”
“Honestly, it was all excellent. I liked that it was
smallish ‘cos there was a chance to connect with lots
of people. I also really liked having meals together.”
“This conference has allowed me to turn the corner, never to
return! I am moving forward with developing my business
around this work NOW, not later. I was waiting for something,
and I know now that it was this conference. I am inspired,
excited, energized by the experience and feel ready in a way I
have not before. I am grateful.”

34. “I am spreading
the word about
AIN!”

35. The Small Print
This slide show is a summary of the (mostly) qualitative analysis of the 2008 Applied
Improvisation Network Conference held in Chicago, 23 - 26 October.
It is based on 42 responses to an on-line survey hosted by SurveyMonkey.
The raw data, and this analysis, has been given to the Programming Committee for the 2009
Conference, including the considerable suggestions for speakers, topics and activities.
Thank you to everyone who contributed.
All quotes from Chicago 08 participants; all photos from the AIN website - Chicago 08 and
from iStockphoto.com
If you have any questions, or would like a copy of the raw data, please contact me
viv@theReef.com.au
Viv McWaters
November 19, 2008
And in the interests of balance: while some said they enjoyed my workshops (which I co-presented with Andrea
Barrett), someone else said “it was a stunning waste of time!”
Evaluation is about learning and improvement, and I can’t think of a better bunch of people to play with, take risks
with, learn from, fail with, and have fun with. See you next year in Seattle?