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At IMEX last week, we literally “wrapped” up the panel with a rap song! As Chloe Richardson, Ken Holsinger, Miguel Neves and I wrapped our super-data panel at #IMEX24, the incredibly talented Jonathan Martinez of Event Rap jumped in and performed a rap with a detailed summary of the key points in the session. Impressive and fun!
Concluding or summarizing a panel discussion creatively or artistically can leave a lasting impression on the audience.
Here are some engaging ideas:
- Graphic Facilitation. Collaborate with a live visual artist to create a graphic summary of the discussion. This visual can highlight key points, quotes, and ideas in a fun, engaging format. At the conclusion, showcase the artwork to the audience, allowing them to see the journey of the conversation in a visual format.
- Quotable Takeaways. Highlight the most impactful or memorable quotes from each panelist. You could pair this with projected visuals or even hand out quote cards to the audience as a keepsake.
- Audience Word Cloud. Ask the audience to share their key takeaways using an interactive tool (e.g., Mentimeter or Slido), which generates a live word cloud or short responses on-screen. This emphasizes collective insight and adds an interactive, real-time artistic element.
- Thematic Poem or Spoken Word. Craft a poem or spoken word performance based on the discussion. This could be done live by a professional artist or poet or written in advance based on expected themes – or in the moment (that takes a special skill!). It provides an emotional and creative recap of the conversation.
- Music or Soundscape. Like what happened at IMEX, summarize the discussion by connecting key points to music. If appropriate, a musician could improvise based on the tone and themes of the panel, or you could select a song that encapsulates the core messages.
- Metaphor or Symbolism. Conclude with a symbolic or metaphorical object or gesture representing the essence of the discussion. For example, a panel on sustainability could end by planting a tree or giving each panelist and attendee a seed packet to represent growth.
- Call to Action Wall. If the panel discussion centers on future action, consider setting up a dedicated wall where audience members can physically contribute. For instance, they could write their commitments or reflections on sticky notes or paper leaves, which are then added to a collaborative “commitment tree” or mural.
Each of these methods can be tailored to the tone and theme of the panel discussion, making the conclusion more engaging and memorable.
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For more information about how to moderate a lively & informative panel discussion, check out our free 7-part video series on how to moderate a panel and other resources to help you organize, moderate, or be a panel member.
