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Thank you to all of the people who completed the Post-Conference Survey. We are pleased to report that just slightly over 50% of conference attendees completed the survey indicating a high degree of engagement. Your comments are greatly appreciated and will be carefully considered as we move forward with planning for the 2021 Conference in Omaha as well as for any future virtual conferences.
Here is a summary of the data as well as the statistics for each of the questions. Overall, responses were very positive, with only between 1% to 8% of respondents selecting a Not Very or Not at All response. In addition, there were many comments submitted as well with either a clarification for the rating or a suggestion for the future. The majority of these comments were positive or were suggestions for what to include or revise for the next conference. This means that in most cases the favorable responses varied from 85% to 99% (Somewhat or Very). (NOTE: In some cases, there were a number of N/A responses which account for the difference in total percentages). The following report includes percentages and bar graphs of the data along with summaries and examples of the comments for the open-ended questions.
Q1: To what extent did you feel energized by the overall SIETAR USA conference?
The majority of attendees (99.33%) expressed a high level of energy around the conference, and several expressed how pleasantly surprised they were by this. We clearly exceeded expectations for energy and engagement in a virtual conference setting.
Responses |
Percent |
Number of Responses |
Very |
71.59% |
63 |
Somewhat |
22.73% |
20 |
Not Very |
2.27% |
2 |
Not at all |
1.14% |
1 |
N/A |
2.27% |
2 |
Q2: To what extent did you find the Remo “Ballroom” useful?
The majority (77.28%) found Remo a useful (and powerful) tool, though several expressed that they wished more attendees had taken advantage of it. Quite a few people indicated that they had work and life distractions that prevented them from utilizing Remo as much as they would have liked.
Responses |
Percent |
Number of Responses |
Very |
47.74% |
42 |
Somewhat |
29.55% |
26 |
Not Very |
6.82% |
6 |
Not at all |
0% |
0 |
N/A |
15.91% |
14 |
Q3: How satisfied were you with the registration process?
Nearly all found it very easy and straightforward and several expressed appreciations for Karen Fouts, our Administrative Director.
Responses |
Percent |
Number of Responses |
Very |
80.68% |
71 |
Somewhat |
18.18% |
16 |
Not Very |
1.14% |
1 |
Not at all |
0% |
0 |
N/A |
0% |
0 |
Q4: Now that you have experienced a SIETAR USA virtual conference, how likely are you to attend another one?
A resounding 91% indicated they are very (81.82%) or somewhat (9.09%) likely to attend another SIETAR USA virtual conference indicating a high level of satisfaction for the conference.
Responses |
Percent |
Number of Responses |
Very |
81.82% |
71 |
Somewhat |
9.09% |
8 |
Not Very |
5.68% |
5 |
Not at all |
2.27% |
2 |
N/A |
1.14% |
1 |
Q5: What attracted you to this conference? (Check all that apply)
The overall subject matter, quality, and reputation of presenters along with the price and ease of attending remotely were key among motivations to attend. Other comments indicated that they attended in order to present.
Answer Choices
|
Response |
# of respondents |
Intercultural / DEI subject matter
|
89.77% |
79 |
Price
|
54.55% |
48 |
Quality / recognition & reputation of presenters
|
53.41% |
47 |
Opportunity to explore the organization
|
25.00% |
22 |
Needed something to do
|
3.41% |
3 |
Other (please specify)
|
40.91% |
36 |
Total Respondents: 88 |
Q6: What were highlights of this year's conference for you? (Check all that apply)
Connecting with colleagues, the variety and quality of subject matter, networking with colleagues in Remo, dedicated conversations around Whiteness and antiracism, Global Storytelling, the opening keynote speaker, and the dance party were key among the highlights.
Answer Choices |
Response |
# of respondents |
Variety of subject matter |
66.28% |
57 |
Keynote speeches (Dr. Lena Crouso, Patricia Malidor-Coleman) |
29.07% |
25 |
Morning wellness sessions |
13.95% |
12 |
Margaret D. Pusch Founders Award Celebration |
22.09% |
19 |
Mongolian Cultural Video Event (Thursday) |
8.14% |
7 |
"Global Stories" Event (Saturday) |
34.88% |
30 |
Dedicated Practitioners of Color sessions |
16.28% |
14 |
Dedicated conversations on Whiteness & Anti-Racism |
47.67% |
41 |
Opportunity to connect with colleagues and friends despite the pandemic |
80.23% |
69 |
Unique networking experience in the Remo platform |
47.67% |
41 |
The final Celebration/Virtual Dance Party on Zoom |
25.58% |
22 |
Other (please specify) |
23.26% |
20 |
Total Respondents: 86
|
Q7: Were there any areas in which this year’s conference missed the mark for you? (Check all that apply)
Responses regarding duration of conference expressed a desire for the conference to have been shorter (3 days) and not to go over a weekend. Overall, there was enthusiasm for the conference but would have preferred a slight adjustment in timing. There were a few comments regarding specific speakers or sessions and a few regarding the technology and time zone issues. These are addressed more fully in the narrative of the open-ended comments at the end of this recap.
Answer Choices |
Response
|
# of respondents
|
Duration of conference (Invited Workshops day plus 5 days of sessions) |
35.21%
|
25
|
Too complex to navigate |
4.23%
|
3
|
Topics not relevant |
5.63%
|
4
|
Concurrent sessions not relevant |
4.23%
|
3
|
Poor quality of Keynote Speakers and/or special events |
5.63%
|
4
|
Too expensive |
5.63%
|
4
|
Too many technology issues |
11.27%
|
8
|
Other (please elaborate) |
71.83%
|
51
|
Q8: Including the Pre-Conference Invited Workshops, approximately how many of the 6 days (October 7-13) did you attend the conference?
Work and life conflicts played a significant role in limiting people’s attendance that are different for a virtual conference than for an in-person conference.
Answer Choices
|
Response
|
# of respondents
|
1 Day
|
3.37%
|
3
|
2 Days
|
2.25%
|
2
|
3 Days
|
14.61%
|
13
|
4 Days
|
17.98%
|
16
|
5 Days
|
13.48%
|
12
|
All 6 Days
|
24.72%
|
22
|
Just a few hours here and there
|
13.48%
|
12
|
Other (please specify)
|
10.11%
|
9
|
Total Respondents: 89
|
Q9: Assuming next year’s conference is in-person, is there a component of this virtual conference that you’d like to see incorporated into the in-person conference?
Many respondents expressed an appreciation for the increased ability for global colleagues to participate and encouraged the option for future virtual conferences. There was also an interest in exploring ways to include some virtual aspects such as the pre-conference workshops and global storytelling prior in the in-person conference as well. These are being considered.
Q10: What other feedback about the conference would you like to share?
65 of the 89 respondents replied to questions 9 & 10. All comments have been archived and are being fully considered as planning proceeds for the 2021 Conference. Thank you all for your comments, they are most helpful as we plan how best to meet the conference needs of our constituents. More details of these comments are provided below.
Q11: Was this your very first SIETAR USA conference?
Nearly one-third (30.68%, N=27) of the 88 respondents indicated this was their first SIETAR USA conference.

Q12: If this was not your first SIETAR USA conference, when did you last attend?
By far, the majority who attended in the past had attended in the last 5 years.
Q13: Are you interested in contributing as a volunteer to the 2021 Conference Team or other SIETAR USA committees such as Mentoring, Communications, Membership, etc.?
There were 85 respondents to this question. Of those, 24.71% (N=21) indicated an interest and an additional 28.24% (N=24) said “maybe”. That’s over 50% of respondents who indicated an interest in being involved in the next conference. That’s amazing! Thank you, if you left your contact information, we will reach out to you as opportunities arise, or you may contact us at conferencechairs@sietarusa.org or conferenceoversight@sietarsa.org.

Review of additional comments to open-ended questions or in comments sections.
Comments submitted fell into three main categories: things that worked well, highlights, and areas for improvement.
Things that worked well: A great appreciation was expressed for the ability to assemble people from all over the world and to engage in meaningful discussions in concurrent sessions, breakout sessions, and networking in Remo. The overwhelming majority indicated high levels of satisfaction for the organization and management of the conference with special thanks to Brett Parry and Karen Fouts. Most respondents found the access to the conference platforms (Remo and Zoom) fairly easy to navigate, and many expressed surprise over the level of energy, engagement, and connectedness they experienced in a virtual setting. In fact, 91%of respondents said they would be likely to attend a future virtual SIETAR USA conference. Additionally, 24.71 %indicated a strong interest and an additional 28.24%said they might be interested in volunteering for future conference planning. That’s over 50%of respondents indicated an interest in being involved in the next conference. That’s amazing! Thank you, if you left your contact information, we will reach out to you as opportunities arise, or you may contact us at conferencechairs@sietarusa.org or conferenceoversight@sietarsa.org.
Highlights: Some of the highlights mentioned were the pre-conference workshops, the invited workshops, the general quality of the sessions, the opening keynote address, and networking with colleagues from around the world. A few respondents even said they thought the networking in Remo was easier than in-person and suggested trying to replicate it at the in-person conference. The global storytelling session also received a number of special mentions and requests for that to continue were made. Finally, the dance party was a big hit.
Areas for improvements: While the majority of respondents expressed high levels of satisfaction, there were areas identified for improvement. These comments are greatly appreciated as it allows concrete ways to enhance our conference offerings and better meet the needs of all of our constituents.
The most frequent comment involved the length of the conference. Many expressed a feeling that it was too long and that attending sessions over a weekend did not work in a virtual setting. Managing work and family schedules for virtual conferences are different than for an in-person conference. Duly noted.
A few people noted some technical difficulties and having experienced presenters who had technical issues. Several suggestions were made for how to address these issues through more training and guidance in advance and for alternate hosting platforms to consider. These have been compiled and shared with the 2021 conference planning team. While those who participated in the Remo networking sessions generally enjoyed them, several indicated that they were sometimes sparsely attended. We will pay particular attention to ways to familiarize people with Remo in advance and to encourage and enhance attendance in such sessions in the future. Additionally, we can enhance our pre-conference technology training for both attendees and presenters to ensure a smoother, glitch-free experience. While there are other conference platforms that may provide a more seamless experience, they may or may not be within our budgetary capacity. A goal of SIETAR USA has always been to keep our registration fees as low as possible. We will, however, continue to review technology options to provide the best possible experience at an affordable price. If anyone has specific platforms you wish us to consider, please feel free to forward those options to us at conferencechairs@sietarusa.org or conferenceoversight@sietarsa.org.
Appreciation for recorded sessions was expressed, along with some frustration that it has taken so long to make those recordings available. This process is definitely something to work on for a next virtual conference. Now that we know what some of the obstacles are for hosting all those files and making them available, we will be able to do so sooner next time.
There were a few comments regarding the relevance and fit of certain presentations for the audience. This will also be taken into consideration in future planning. With respect to concurrent sessions some felt sessions were too basic and self-congratulatory, and others felt they were too advanced. We can explore ways to address these concerns through better labeling as our conference attendees include both experienced as well as new practitioners. This year may have presented a bit of a unique situation with people being overly eager to connect with colleagues given all the lock downs of COVID-19 and tensions felt around the world that led to an emphasis on supporting and congratulating our colleagues more than is typical. While expressed by only one respondent, it is worthy of reflection and examination. Is this a trend within SIETAR USA and what is the impact if that is so?
Finally, and certainly not least, were concerns expressed regarding the POC and Antiracism group sessions. The majority of respondents expressed appreciation for these sessions and encouraged their continuation, even offering suggestions to enhance them and to add a follow-up joint session. However, there were a couple of respondents who were dismayed by what they perceived to be the exclusive nature of these meetings. They felt that an organization such as SIETAR USA, whose mission it is to bring people together and increase understanding, should not host meetings where attendance is limited. There was a feeling that other groups, such as Jewish or Native Peoples, felt excluded and that the real value is when diverse groups can share with and learn from each other. Creating an organization where our BIPOC colleagues feel welcome and represented is of paramount importance to SIETAR USA and the Board of Directors. It is a sensitive subject, though not one we wish to shy away from. As an organization we have struggled with how to navigate this issue and understand it is important that we carefully consider the language we use to describe such meetings and to be clear about our intentions with respect to them. This is a bigger issue than can properly be addressed in a post-conference survey recap, but it is one that engages the Board of Directors and that will be considered with great care.
Again, thank you to all who have provided feedback on the 2020 conference. It is greatly appreciated. We are indeed fortunate to have such engaged and enthusiastic group of colleagues.
Comments: Here is some of the feedback that we received. Thank you to everyone for sharing your insights, experiences, suggestions, feelings, and impressions.
“Based on the zoom fatigue I had been feeling, I thought I would be happy only attending a few sessions. Somehow the SIETAR community really pulled me in and I couldn't seem to get enough. I only wish I had set aside more time for networking. It was more fun in Remo then I thought it would be. Thanks to all of the planning committee for a fantastic conference experience!”
“The Invited Workshops were a highlight. I attended all 4 and appreciated that they were all so different and that they had terrific presenters who knew their stuff. Kudos!”
“It was wonderful to have SIETARians from so many parts of the world attend, something that would normally be more prohibitive in an in-person conference. It would be nice to offer this in the future for those unable to travel as it enriched the dialogue.”
“I thought it was an excellent conference! I enjoyed the opportunity to connect virtually with others in the field. I came away with many new ideas to implement in my work. It was well organized, easy to navigate and the virtual platform made it easy to attend all sessions and meet new people! Thank you!”
Thank you to Emily Kawasaki for creating such a great representation of the 2020 SIETAR Virtual Conference with words taken from the post-conference survey comments. You won't want to miss the next one!
