Are You Creating “Wizard of Oz” Moments in Your Panel?

Audiences have a love/hate relationship with panels.

For the most part, they don’t have very high expectations…but they still come to a session in the hope of a “Wizard of Oz” moment where the curtain will be pulled back on the topic.  They are hoping that the panelists will share their wisdom and insights with them.  That there will be an element of surprise, of diverse viewpoints and provocative thinking. That it will be spontaneous and unscripted.

It’s an “up close and personal” discussion amongst the panelists and with the audience.  It’s the part of the story that you can’t find on Google, YouTube or TED.

Are you creating the atmosphere for these Wizard of Oz moments?

For more resources on how to make panels better, make sure to check out this knowledge vault which is chock-full of customizable checklists, worksheets, templates, agendas, sample emails, video interviews and webinars with industry icons and professional moderators.

Kristin Arnold MBA, CMC, CPF, CSP, is a professional meeting facilitator and panel moderator.  She is passionate about making meetings and panel discussions more engaging, interactive and collaborative. You can read more of her work in one of her books Team Basics, Email Basics, Team Energizers, or Boring to Bravo.

Related Articles:

How Much Research Should the Moderator Do?

How to Find D.E.E.P Panelists

The Moderator’s Role in Panel Discussions

Photo source: Erica Garms