How can a moderator prepare great questions for the panelists to answer during a 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, once you have your list of panelists how do you then prepare for the panel?
Kate: I just looked at all their backgrounds to know more about them, to get comfortable with okay, here’s these people that are to be on this panel. I asked people about them and then I also started to develop some questions. And then I took five of my top journalist friends. Really heavy hitter people that I knew would love this panel too. And then I took five of my speaker buddies, I put them together in my crew and I sent them out an email and said, “Okay you’re in my circle. Will you all look at these questions? Would there be something you would be interested in that I’m not asking or thinking about? Do you think these questions are relevant and good? What else can I squeeze in here or should I dump some of these questions?”
So I think a good tip…I’m just kind of throwing this out here. I know I’m going down another rabbit hole but is to know the timing. Think of the timing instead of bleeding over or not having enough when you have your questions, and assemble them, think about how that’s timing out for each person on the panel.
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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.
And, you can always go back to the playlist for more Powerful Panel Discussion Tips!
