I highly recommend finishing the panel discussion on a high note with a very clear call to action.  It is this “final thought” that creates clear takeaways for the audience and positions you and your company as a resource.  Here are some things to consider.

Promoting the panel discussion is not just the responsibility of the event organizer.  As a panel moderator or as a panelist, you can help promote the panel to a wider audience, encourage them to attend, engage with the attendees, and follow up after the panel discussion is over.

At some point during a panel discussion, the panel moderator will turn to the audience and ask for questions.  Most folks call this “Audience Q&A” where the moderator takes questions from the audience via text, question card, open microphone, or Oprah-style, depending on the event.

To facilitate a meaningful audience Q&A session, try these techniques.