What is the moderator’s goal for a successful panel discussion at meetings, conferences, and conventions? Professional panel moderator, Kristin Arnold asked this question of Kate Delaney, Emmy Award winning journalist and America’s #1 female sports commentator and talk show host.
Video Transcript
Kristin: Kate, what did you want the audience to get out of the panel discussion?
Kate: My idea was what I said at the beginning, was to not get in the way. To let the conversation flow and only…not jump in with my opinions at all because I definitely have opinions about content but not be involved in that. Just be the extractor. And I felt like I really had done that. So I felt good.
I felt like the information…I could tell by just the few times I glanced out with the note taking that was going on that okay, I think people are getting some good information and that was my goal.
You walk out, and even if you’re critical of me or, oh she could have done this, or she should have walked this way or some other general criticism. The people that leave that audience feel like, wow this was worth me investing my hour here instead of going to work out or going to grab a networking breakfast with somebody or doing whatever.
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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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