What things do you do during a panel discussion to interact with the audience at meetings, conferences, and conventions? Professional Panel Moderator Kristin Arnold asked this question of Susan Morris, a fantasy author, editor and absurdly frequent panel moderator at GenCon.
Video Transcript
Kristin: Susan, what things do you do to interact with the audience?
Susan: As moderator, not a ton, other than beforehand I always walk the line and ask them about things. I also participate with the audience before the panel starts. I basically have the panelists and I chat with them, about why they’re there, what they’ve enjoyed, what they’re looking for, all this kind of stuff. And so by starting a conversation, they feel like they’re already a part of the panel.
And then in the Q&A, of course… And I also, afterwards, after the panel, if I ever had someone who was difficult that I had to correct, I always go out and find them and talk to them and make sure that they’re okay, because sometimes it can be really harsh to have to be cut off by a moderator, and I make sure they understood what happened.
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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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