Professional Panel Moderator Kristin Arnold asks Warren Evans, professional speaker, futurist and member of the Canadian Speaker Hall of Fame to share his perspective on the ideal number of panelists for a panel discussion at meetings, conferences, and conventions.
Video Transcript
Kristin: Warren, what is the ideal number of panelists?
Warren: … timeframe, topic, subject matter, influence that — I’ve had great panels with three panelists; I have had great panelists with six, somewhere in there has got to be your spot. You know, four or five are a good number. I have been thrown into situations where you have eight panelists. Despite your argument and trying to do some arithmetic with the meeting planner, 60 minutes by 8, with a little bit of transference and some laughter, some introductions, some wrap-up, every panelist has got four minutes. Does that make any sense?
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Kristin Arnold, professional panel moderator, and high stakes meeting facilitator is on a crusade to make all panel discussions informative, interactive, and interesting. Specifically, she wants to help YOU become a better panel moderator. Why? Because 95% of annual meetings have panel discussions – and according to the 2014 Panel Report, it’s a fifty-fifty proposition they are any good at all! Expectations decrease dramatically when your attendees walk in and see the traditional draped head-table with microphones on short stands. There are sooooo many other ways to have a stimulating conversation! So let’s increase the probability of success for your next panel discussion with these resources.
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