Panel discussions are still a commonly used format for conference organizers. They’re easy to program and put the kids in the show, but rarely add learning value to the paying participants. Some of the reasons panels fail to connect include: Lack of preparation and take-charge leadership in the learning design. Watered down content due to general vs. relevant topics and opinions. Low learning value equivalent to a lecture. (Instead of a monologue lecture, panels are often … [Read more...]
How To Be An Invisible, Successful Rock Star Panel Moderator
Good panel moderators wear camouflage. We’ll not really. But they blend in so much with our panel experience that we often don’t even notice them. Why? Successful moderators keep the panel focused on attendees and their problems, not the panelists. They drive the panel discussion towards solutions that meets the audiences’ needs. Five Moderator Rules For Successful Panels Smart moderators focus on five major rules for successful panels. 1. The moderator decides if the goal of the panel … [Read more...]
Are Your Conference Panels Stuck In A Time Warp?
Watch a re-run of That 70's Show and you'll notice that paneling was all the rage back then. It was affordable, easy to install and a sure sign of homeowner coolness. It was so cool, we even slapped it on the family sedan. Today, paneling is a major turnoff for home buyers. [Can you see where I'm heading with this post?] Years ago, conference organizers took a shine to panels of a different kind. The ones featuring experts perched on stools, each delivering mini-monologues. Just as wood … [Read more...]
