The Hot Potato vs. Lightning Round: What’s the Difference (and Which Works Better)?
Powerful Panels
Panel moderators have a variety of tools to keep discussions engaging and lively, but not every format is perfect. Two popular options are the and the —each with strengths and weaknesses. Let’s break them down.
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Key Characteristics of a Good Panel Discussion Question
Powerful Panels
A good question in a panel discussion stimulates meaningful conversation, draws out valuable insights, and engages both the panelists and the audience.
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Gamified Polling in a Panel Discussion
Powerful Panels
Gamified polling turns passive listeners into active participants by leveraging the natural appeal of games. Done well, it boosts engagement, encourages lively discussion, and fosters community—making your panel the highlight of any event.
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Seven Steps to Reward the First Questioner in a Panel Discussion
Powerful Panels
The goal is to create a friendly and inviting atmosphere to kick off the audience Q&A. Rewarding the first questioner at the beginning of the Q&A segment of your panel discussion is a great way to inspire great questions for the panelists.
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Pump UP the Volume The Power of Walk-Up Music for Panels
Powerful Panels
Think back to the last time you attended a concert or sports event. Remember that electric buzz of anticipation as the music started, signaling that something exciting was about to happen? That’s the magic of walk-up music—it sets the stage, stirs up energy, and makes people feel they are part of something special. So, why not bring that spark to your panel discussions? Walk-up music is a simple yet dynamic way to kick things up a notch. Here’s everything you need to know about why, how, and when to use it effectively.
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Your Biggest Panel Discussion Pet Peeve: 2024 Panel Report Findings
Powerful Panels
In the recently released , we asked about panel discussion pet peeves - and the number one pet peeve should not come as a surprise.
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What Moderators Should Never Say Avoiding the Most Common Pitfalls
Powerful Panels
As a , your words carry a lot of weight. The audience is looking to you to set the tone, guide the discussion, and keep things engaging. But sometimes, even the best-intentioned moderators slip up and say things that can derail the panel. Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of the top things moderators should NEVER say and what to say instead.
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8 Ideas to Help You Get Asked to Be a Panelist
Powerful Panels
Serving as a panelist is a fantastic way to share your expertise, engage with your industry, and build your visibility. To get there, you’ll need a combination of strategic positioning and proactive networking. Here are some general ideas about how to increase your chances as well as some specifics for the questioner, so you can see how you can implement these ideas!
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How Meeting Organizers Can Actually Use Panel Feedback
Powerful Panels
The shows that while 70% of organizers say they collect feedback, 60% admit it rarely influences their panel design - if at all. Why does this happen? Why ask if you’re not going to act on it? here are some of the top reasons for this feedback-action gap - and a few ideas to turn it around.
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The GASP Litmus Test for Panel Discussion Content
Powerful Panels
Panel moderators should ask themselves, "Will anything the panelists prepare make the audience gasp with delight that they didn't know it, surprise that it provided a new insight, or even astonishment that they had not expected or seen it before?" Here is the G.A.S.P. acronym to help you prepare to make your audience GASP.
info_outlineI was recently asked what to do when a panelist's opening comment is a volatile hypothesis - that they hadn't talked about during the planning session.
Other than being surprised, here are some ways to respond to this verbal grenade to maintain control of the conversation and ensure it remains constructive and on track.