Understanding Panel Discussions

• A panel discussion allows a group to hear knowledgeable people present information and discuss perspectives on a specific topic
• Panel discussions can help audiences clarify and evaluate positions on topics of discussion, improving their understanding of others' viewpoints

Key Roles in a Panel Discussion

• Panelists are experts who share knowledge, insights, and opinions
• A moderator facilitates the discussion, guiding the conversation to introduce panelists, ask questions, manage time, and engage the audience
• The audience attends to learn and provide feedback through questions
• Organizers plan and coordinate the panel, managing logistics, selecting panelists, and promoting the event

Supporting Roles in a Panel Discussion

• A/V technicians manage sound and visual equipment
• Support staff helps with logistics

Putting a Panel Together: Selecting a Topic

• Select a topic important to enough people to involve those with different interests
• Avoid topics so general that the discussion will be unfocused
• Topics do not need to be divisive; panels can offer advice or information without competing viewpoints

Putting a Panel Together: Recruiting Participants

• A panel of 3-5 people generates the most interesting discussion
• Look for well-informed people from a range of backgrounds like, a community member, somebody with business experience, or someone with research
• Panelists should vary in demographics, as personal background can influence perspective
• Invite at least four people in case somebody cancels
• Send invitations several weeks in advance

Putting a Panel Together: Inviting a Moderator

• Choose a moderator that is not participating in the panel
• The ideal moderator has prior experience moderating panels
• Skillsets for the moderator include, understanding the topic, strong social skills, keeping panelists focused on the audience, and keeping the discussion flowing

Putting a Panel Together: Physical Setup

• Use individual chairs to make the panelists seem closer to the audience, encouraging participation
• Arrange seats in a slight circle while facing the audience to facilitate discussion
• Have small tables or stands for notes and water for each participant
• Provide microphones unless the room has 30 seats or fewer
• Place the moderator in the middle of the panelists to help guide and address each panelist efficiently

Planning the Panel Discussion: Defining Goals

• Participants should know the panel's goals in advance
• Panels can present solutions, host discussions, or give information
• Determine if the panel will provide a basic introduction or cater to a knowledgeable audience seeking advanced information

Planning the Panel Discussion: Deciding on Duration

• Panels at conferences or large events should run 45-60 minutes
• Standalone events or popular topics may run 90 minutes
• Arrange for participants to stay after to allow audience members to engage in person

Planning the Panel Discussion: Individual Lectures

• If providing information is a primary goal, each panelist can do a lecture
• Each panelist should provide an explanation of the topic, or his argument, for ten minutes
• Panels may require more preparation time for panelists as a group to build off one another

Planning the Panel Discussion: Visual Presentations

• Avoid PowerPoint presentations and slides unless essential, as they stall discussion
• Use few slides, only showing information or diagrams difficult to present verbally
• Panelists can bring items to show and tell instead of doing a presentation

Planning the Panel Discussion: Preparing Questions

• Create open-ended questions that allow panelists to use their experience
• Allot specific questions to panelists, but divide these evenly
• Include questions from audience members
• Arrange the questions in order of importance

Moderating a Panel Discussion: Convincing People to Sit Up Front

• Have people sit in the front row to promote the energy of the panel
• Consider providing small "freebies" to entice people to sit up front

Moderating a Panel Discussion: Introducing the Panel and Participants

• Introduce the panel topic in 1-2 sentences because the audience is likely familiar with it
• Briefly introduce each participant, mentioning relevant facts about the topic
• Introduction of all participants should be under ten minutes

Moderating a Panel Discussion: Involving the Audience Early

• Engage the audience by polling their opinions or knowledge of the topic with a show of hands or applause
• Poll results focus the panel on topics relevant to the audience

Moderating a Panel Discussion: Asking Prepared Questions

• Following prearranged order of questions, but adjust if the discussion changes
• Divide questions among participants, but giving each person a chance to respond
• Panelists respond naturally or prompt anyone who is knowledgeable

Moderating a Panel Discussion: Following Up with Own Questions

• Deviate from questions if this will benefit the discussion
• Press a panelist if you think the answer is unsatisfying
• Rephrase questions or tie the response to another discussion point

Moderating a Panel Discussion: Timekeeping

• Refer to a clock offstage, or have a timekeeper in the back hold up signs at "10 min", "5 min", and "1 min"

Moderating a Panel Discussion: Keeping Panelists on Task

• Interrupt a panelist to return the discussion to the correct point
• Jump in with a phrase once someone pauses like, "You have an interesting point, but let's hear more about __"

Moderating a Panel Discussion: Collecting Questions From the Audience.

• Recruit questions with raised hands or by inviting people to a microphone
• Repeat the question, then refer the question to an interested panelist
• Prepare backup questions in case nobody wants to speak

Moderating a Panel Discussion: Dealing with Lengthy Audience Questions

• Interrupt excessive questions, asking "So your question is ___, is that right?"
• Let people know how much time is left for questions

Moderating a Panel Discussion: Thanking Everyone Involves

• Remember to thank, panelists, hosts, organizers, and audience members
• Share the location and topic of an upcoming event