Where should the moderator steer the topic of the panel discussion at a meeting, conference, or convention? Toward what the audience wants or what the meeting owner wants? Professional Panel Moderator Kristin Arnold asks Glenn Thayer, Master of Ceremonies and conference moderator to share his perspective.
Video Transcript
Kristin: Glenn, do you tend to steer the panel topic toward what the audience wants, or what the meeting owner wants?
Glenn: I am the voice of the audience when I’m onstage. That’s my job. My job is to do this on behalf of the audience. It’s not doing it on behalf of the meeting owner and going, “Well I’m the meeting owner. I’m going to give you the information that I was told to give you.” I’m looking at what’s going to be the most beneficial to the audience. I’m looking at it that way.
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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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