You're hosting a live event with lengthy panel discussions. How do you ensure speakers stay engaged?
Dive into the art of engaging dialogue! Share your strategies for keeping speakers lively in long panel discussions.
You're hosting a live event with lengthy panel discussions. How do you ensure speakers stay engaged?
Dive into the art of engaging dialogue! Share your strategies for keeping speakers lively in long panel discussions.
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Probably shouldn’t have the panel discussion if you’re concerned about the speakers themselves staying engaged. Why is LinkedIn AI so fried…?
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Lately I’ve been trying to keep panels short - almost to a Ted Talk length. Also, instead of having speakers tell about themselves, when possible, we try to show a short one minute video and let that introduce them to the audience. Many panelists at my events enjoy the other panels because they often learn something that is outside their bubble. So picking interesting topics with a diverse group of speakers helps make the day interesting not only for attendees but for other speakers as well. I try to bring speakers with different perspectives even they might all work on the same topic, like space or energy. But even though they may work in the same industry, they might not interact with other types of experts relating to that topic.
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It’s always important to have a moderator well prepared to take the discussion in an interesting level. Also, there’s activations and segments that can be included on the script to make it more engaging as well.
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Nikki D.
Freelance Technology, Automotive & Sports Presenter & Presentation Coach @Speakology.studio
Don’t invite too many panellists! 3 is a good number - maybe 4 if absolutely necessary. Make sure chairs or stools are arranged so everyone has visibility of the moderator - and comfort is key! Sitting speakers on high uncomfy stools doesn’t work as well in my experience But number one rule - get a good moderator who finds a way to get everyone to speak at the top of the discussion - even if just a brief intro of themselves - otherwise you can have a long time before someone gets to speak and that’s just awkward
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Pick a good and unbiased moderator! Moderating skills are super underrated. If I’m on a panel my biggest fear is if the moderator is biased or just inexperienced. A good moderator will have a pulse on the conversation and will guide the conversation through the whole spectrum of entertaining, educational, productive, unbiased and temperate.
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Keep the conversation moving Brief the panellists before they start about what to expect Make it clear this is a discussion, not a platform for long monologues As the host, be ready to prod where appropriate and to use humour Always keep an eye on the clock Never forget the audience
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A skilled moderator makes the difference - someone who has done his research and knows the specialist areas of the panellists. Keep a mental note of who is getting the least “airtime” and who is taking the most. A good moderator knows how to distribute the questions evenly and has briefed the panel beforehand to try and make the conversation flow - and makes it clear to the panellists that if they wish to add something to the person currently speaking - they will be keeping a close eye on those not speaking to ensure they get to add their points.
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1. Organize as pautas de forma que os temais não se conflitem. Nada é pior a um palestrante quando alguém entra no seu conteúdo antes de sua plenária. 2. Crie dinâmicas interativas de modo a reciclar o ambiente e a motivação de todo, inclusive dos palestrantes. 3. Mude, a cada painel, o modo de interação. Isso traz ao palestrante o fato gerador novo. 4. Faça intervenções, dentro das possibilidades, sobre palestrantes que destoam e começam a carregar o ambiente com teorias e falas desgastantes. 5. Crie desafios entre uma pauta e outra causando esse viés de preparação nos próximos. Isso fará com que cada painel seja diferente 6. Seja criativo...dinâmico....haja com improviso...nada melhor do que boas para agitar o ambiente monótono
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The best panels get together prior to the event to nail down who's saying what, which directions to go, etc. The moderator is the key to staying on pace, avoiding rabbit holes. Each event has a theme, so our panels tend to stay within those lanes (cyber security, public sector, etc.). We also usually limit our panels to 20 minutes or so; this time limit avoids speakers wandering off.