Powerful Panels

Concluding or summarizing a panel discussion creatively or artistically can leave a lasting impression on the audience. Here are some engaging ideas.

The 2024 Panel Report reinforces the notion that audiences demand more engagement and interaction. Panels are no longer a passive "lean back and listen" format. Here's what you need to know to get your audience to lean forward and engage.  

Don't get me wrong; a compelling title is crucial. It grabs attention and draws in the audience. However, it's important that the content lives up to the expectations set by that title. Otherwise, you risk leaving your audience feeling shortchanged or misled.

Events producer and "Chief Solutions Officer" Tim Woodring shares behind-the-scenes info on how he generates and catalyzes ideas with corporate clients to produce powerful panels. As co-sponsor of the 2024 panel report with Unbridled, he discusses how anyone, any panelist, any moderator, can influence a panel to improve.

Meetings and events professional Brian Walter shares how to make panel discussions memorable, brilliant, and buzzworthy! He's talking about strategic questions that help panelists divulge the behind-the-scenes details everyone wants to hear.

Sitting properly in a chair during a panel discussion helps you project confidence and earn the audience's respect.  They will lean in and listen to you when you have a poised presence.  Here are general tips on how to sit properly in a chair during a panel discussion.

The ideal duration of a panel discussion can vary depending on the goals for the event, the panel in particular, the number of panelists , and the audience's expectations. Here is what to consider.

By using these seven strategies, you can overcome writer's block and create thoughtful, engaging questions for your panel discussion.

Handling aggressive behaviors or inappropriate questions during high-tension panel discussions requires a blend of pre-planning, clear guidelines, respectful interventions, and strategic redirection. By adopting these techniques from seasoned moderators and experts, you can maintain a professional and positive atmosphere, ensuring that all voices are heard and respected.

Use this "litmus test" for speakers, moderators, and panelists to determine if they are truly inclusive and focused on the audience. 

It happens ALL THE TIME - the dreaded front-row buffer zone. As your attendees walk into the meeting room, they settle somewhere in the middle, back rows, or even the ends of the rows of chairs. NO ONE typically sits in the front row..which is a problem. Here's why it's a problem, and how to fix it.

Unfortunately, this scenario can happen to a panel moderator: You ask a probing or challenging question to a panelist and .... they got nothin'. They stare at you like a deer in the headlights. What do you do when a panelist cannot answer your question? Actually, you have several options.

The ideal duration of a panel discussion can vary depending on the goals for the event, the panel in particular, the number of panelists , and the audience's expectations.  When deciding on the duration of your next panel discussion consider these factors.

Professional panel moderator Kristin Arnold interviews CPAE Speaker Hall of Famer Joe Calloway on brilliant techniques to insert a panel discussion within a speech.

I have always shied away from using little-known facts and statistics during a panel discussion because it just takes more time to prepare. But these days, all it takes is a query into an AI engine such as ChatGPT . So why not dazzle your audience with some facts that they wouldn't otherwise know?

One of your panelists is missing. The panel is about to start and either they never showed up to the venue or they are now missing in action (MIA). It's easy to freak out. What are you going to do? When a panelist is missing, you can take several steps to manage the situation effectively.

I was recently asked what to do when a panelist's opening comment is a volatile hypothesis - that they hadn't talked about during the planning session. Other than being surprised, here are some ways to respond to this verbal grenade to maintain control of the conversation and ensure it remains constructive and on track.

Having a standing-room-only crowd for your panel discussion is fabulous - especially if you manage it appropriately! Here is what you will need to keep in mind. 

Use this simple technique for panel discussions to entice your audience to lean into the Q&A segment.

After-dinner panels need to be more edutaining – educational/informational/inspirational AND entertaining. Here are best practices to ensure your after-dinner panel discussion is much more lively, informative, and engaging:

For the first quarter of 2024, these are the top ten trending topics for panel discussions at business events in priority order based on social media mentions and internet activity. These topics reflect current global concerns and interests, particularly in business, technology, and society at large.  

Here are seven reasons why these three words are the most powerful words to use in a panel discussion.

In this day and age, you may be alienating a part of your audience. Why do that? There ARE other ways to address your audience AND use more inclusive language !

A panel discussion involves more than a panel moderator and panelists. Consider involving these 10 players in a panel discussion:

Even though you tried to influence the meeting organizers to limit the number of panelists, you might have been unsuccessful. You can't change it. So what do you do when you have too many panelists? Here's my short list of what to do when you have too many panelists - and can't change the number!