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.

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?

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:

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.

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!

As a panelist in a panel discussion, how do you know you've done a good job? What is the ultimate litmus test of panelist success? Here is something unexpected that you want to achieve.

A few things to consider to personalize your clipboard as a panel moderator for a panel discussion that won't break the bank.

There are some unique instances where the panel moderator should dip their toe into the content to get the conversation on track and back on track. Once a contribution is made, then the moderator should resume the role of facilitator. Here's what you need to know.

Here is my favorite polling platform to use during a panel discussion.

You can also find a more comprehensive list of platforms, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each here.

Yes indeed - you can use AI/ChatGPT to prepare for a panel discussion. In this blog post, I will not only give you some ideas on how to use AI/ChatGPT to help prepare for a panel discussion, but I will also share prompts I have used to get the best results. As you query AI/ChatGPT, keep these things in mind.

During one of my coaching sessions with a panel moderator, my client asked, "Can you plan too much for a panel discussion? Seems like there is a lot to do here!"

Fair question. For a novice panel moderator that is true. As you get more comfortable with the role, there is still a bit of prep work, but not as extensive.

So my answer is this . . .

What can a panel moderator do when a panelist has an on-stage, unexpected crisis? Here is how to handle it with grace and professionalism.

When the stakes are high and you really need to hit a home run, you’ll want to hire a professional panel moderator to do the following . . .

Depending on how badly the organization wants someone to moderate a panel, you may or may not get paid to moderate a panel, but you can get compensated in some way, shape or fashion! Here's what you need to know. 

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.

What do you do if you don't have a clear vision for your panel? What if all you have known is the traditional style panel format, how would you even know what else is possible?

Here are nine factors to consider as you clarify your vision for your panel discussion.

After you have moderated panel discussions for a while, you realize it is simply a matter of time before some “incident” will occur in the middle of your panel discussion.

Everyone knows that S#!T happens – some of which you have control over (your attitude, the structure and format, your questions), and some simply you do not control (stage or technology malfunctions, external disruptions, or acts of God!)

Meeting Planners International (MPI) has done the work to identify potential issues that could happen in a meeting in their Emergency Action Plan. I don’t think you have to go overboard in your planning, you can put a little thought into how you would respond if such an incident occurred.

Just because your panel discussion is over doesn't mean you can't continue the conversation! Events and media consultant Julius Solaris reminded me how important it is to repurpose your panel discussion content.

As I coach panelists to prepare for an upcoming panel discussion, there are a dozen common misconceptions about panel discussions that I think we need to clarify. To ensure a successful panel discussion, panelists should be aware of these misconceptions and actively work to avoid them. Effective communication, collaboration, and preparation are key to making panel discussions lively and informative.

When you start talking about the vision for the panel discussion and what it might look like, you'll see the implications for your choices for the moderator, panelists, structure, format, and logistics.

Many meeting organizers select a topic, and reach out to a couple of panelists who can talk on the subject. Ask one of them to moderate it and then move on to the next item on the meeting checklist.

Whoa! Not so fast! It IS a fabulous idea to start with a pithy one to three-word "topic" that serves as the major subject of the panel. But don't stop there! Here's how to pick a strong topic, premise, and title for your panel discussion.

It does not happen too often, but you could be the last in line to speak after the other panelists have detailed all of your prepared points. Yes, it is a bit disappointing, but do not despair. Even though your main points have been covered, you still have your own unique examples and a memorable headline to share.

Rather than reiterating what has already been said, try these sentence starters to expand the conversation and provide more insight into the topic.

I was recently asked about how to create an inclusive environment during a panel discussion. It's more than being welcoming and friendly.

Here are nine things you can do to proactively create an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and valued.

Ed Bernacki, Founder of The Idea Factory, shared this unique panel format he calls The Hypothetical Panel Discussion Format. Here is his explanation of the format from his ebook Seven Rules For Designing More Innovative Conferences.

Far too many panelists DON'T critique themselves and debrief after a panel.

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

You do not need permission to “bring fun” to the panel. It is not like a lunchbox where you open the fun up and there it is. The key to having fun on the panel is all about your mindset. If you are having fun, others will have fun with you.

The thing about “planned spontaneity” during a panel discussion is that it comes across as completely spontaneous to the audience. Here's one talk-show example of how to do something different, unusual…or even spontaneous!

Congratulations!  You had a good experience being a powerful panelist and want to be invited to participate in more panels. Here are some ideas on how to be invited to participate in more panel discussions:

I like to get to the panel discussion early - at least an hour or so earlier than the panel’s start time for several reasons. What can you do during that hour? Here's what you need to know.

Having a friend or two in the room can be super helpful during a panel discussion. Here are a few ways your friends can help you be successful during a panel discussion.

The order in which panelists offer their prepared remarks is a major factor in determining how they will be perceived.  While each panelist will be speaking on the same topic, your pre-event meet-up should have ensured that your key points shed a different aspect or point of view in this segment of the program.

Here are the advantages and disadvantages to being the first, last or in the middle.

With dominating extrovert panelists, what is an introvert to do to stack the odds in their favor?

To answer this question, I called my colleague and author of Creating Introvert-Friendly Workplaces, Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, Ph.D, CSP. Here is what she had to say.

I highly recommend finishing the panel discussion on a high note with a very clear call to action.  It is this “final thought” that creates clear takeaways for the audience and positions you and your company as a resource.  Here are some things to consider.

Promoting the panel discussion is not just the responsibility of the event organizer.  As a panel moderator or as a panelist, you can help promote the panel to a wider audience, encourage them to attend, engage with the attendees, and follow up after the panel discussion is over.

At some point during a panel discussion, the panel moderator will turn to the audience and ask for questions.  Most folks call this “Audience Q&A” where the moderator takes questions from the audience via text, question card, open microphone, or Oprah-style, depending on the event.

To facilitate a meaningful audience Q&A session, try these techniques.

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.

Since ChatGPT has hit the headlines pretty hard, I thought I would use artificial intelligence to write this week's blog on "biggest panelist faux pas."

Amazingly enough, here is what ChatGPT answered:

It annoys me when panelists solely talk to the panel moderator and their fellow panelists - and never address the audience. After all, it is the audience that is benefitting from the panel's wisdom! Why not engage with the audience directly?

You may not be the panel moderator, but you still can involve the audience in small ways.

As a panel moderator, it is a best practice to use people's names. Everybody likes to hear their name AND it's a great cue for a panelist to know that a question is directed at them. But for goodness sakes, either call ALL the panelists by their first names or ALL the panelists by their official titles! Here's where things went wrong. 

Perhaps you've been asked to serve as a panelist in an upcoming panel discussion...and you may be wondering, "What do I have to do to be prepared?"

That's a GREAT question, as I have seen too many panelists do absolutely NO preparation.  Okay, they might have read the descriptive email on the flight into the city or briefly chatted with the panel moderator.  I affectionally call this the "show up and throw up strategy," where the panelists think they can get by with sheer brilliance.

Unfortunately, it rarely works that way.  A brilliant, D.E.E.P. panelist is willing to do the work.  And it's really not a huge lift, but can make a huge difference to the audience and their perceived value. Here's what you need to know.