Measuring Vendor Performance After Events in Kenya: The KPIs, Scorecards, and Systems That Keep You Profitable
Behind every successful event in Kenya, vendors play a defining role. From caterers and décor teams to sound engineers and security providers, the quality of your vendors directly impacts the overall event experience. But once the event is over, how do you know if your vendors truly delivered?
This is where measuring vendor performance becomes critical. For planners and vendors alike, performance tracking ensures stronger relationships, improved service, and more value for clients.
The Kenyan events industry is dynamic but also challenging. Vendors often deal with traffic delays, last-minute changes in client needs, and unclear contract terms. Planners, on the other hand, sometimes overlook post-event evaluation because they’re already moving on to the next project. Without clear metrics, repeated issues like late setups, poor sound quality, or unmet catering standards can keep occurring unchecked.
By setting measurable KPIs, planners can hold vendors accountable while vendors gain valuable feedback to improve and stand out in a competitive market.
1. Vendor Performance Rating This is the percentage of successful deliveries against the total orders. For example, if a caterer delivers 45 out of 50 meals correctly, their rating is 90%. It’s simple, measurable, and gives you a quick overview of reliability.
2. Client Satisfaction Score After the event, gather feedback from attendees or clients through surveys. Anything above 85% is generally excellent. This helps you measure not just technical delivery but also the overall client experience.
3. On-Time Delivery Rate Time is everything in events. Was the décor set up before guests arrived? Did the AV team run sound checks before the program started? Tracking punctuality helps you avoid the dreaded “event running late” scenario.
4. Defect or Rejection Rate This measures the proportion of goods or services that didn’t meet expectations. For example, food that went to waste due to poor preparation, or chairs delivered with damage. A low rate shows consistency and attention to detail.
5. Compliance with Contracts/SLA Terms Contracts are common in Kenyan corporate events but often ignored in smaller setups. Measuring compliance ensures vendors stick to agreed service levels, preventing misunderstandings and disputes.
6. Vendor Satisfaction Score It’s not just about the planner’s view. Vendors also need to feel that the partnership was fair and professional. Asking them for feedback ensures healthier long-term relationships.
Where word-of-mouth and reputation drive business, tracking these KPIs can be the difference between thriving partnerships and constant vendor turnover. Planners get a reliable pool of trusted suppliers, and vendors earn repeat business by proving their consistency.
Evaluating vendors shouldn’t feel like policing; it’s about building a culture of accountability and excellence. The more transparent the process, the stronger the trust between planners, vendors, and clients.
Want to dive deeper into strategies like this, connect with industry experts, and access opportunities in Kenya’s events industry? Join the Eventors Community today and be part of a network shaping the future of events.
