This hot seat challenge technique is equal parts thrilling and insightful. Watching panelists think fast and answer under pressure makes for an engaging, can’t-look-away moment. It’s a fun way to inject spontaneity while uncovering unfiltered insights at your next panel discussion.

The Pardon the Interruption format is an electrifying way to energize panel discussions, ensuring they remain compelling, engaging, and, most importantly, fun! If you’re looking for a way to captivate your audience while covering a breadth of topics, this could be the perfect format to try.

Panel moderators have a variety of tools to keep discussions engaging and lively, but not every format is perfect. Two popular options are the Hot Potato and the Lightning Round—each with strengths and weaknesses. Let’s break them down.

A good question in a panel discussion stimulates meaningful conversation, draws out valuable insights, and engages both the panelists and the audience.

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.

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.

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.

In the recently released 2024 Panel Report, we asked about panel discussion pet peeves - and the number one pet peeve should not come as a surprise.

As a panel moderator, 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.

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!

The 2024 Panel Report 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.

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.

Concluding or summarizing a panel discussion creatively or artistically can leave a lasting impression on the audience. Here are some engaging ideas.

The 2024 Panel Report reinforces the notion that audiences demand more engagement and interaction. Panels are no longer a passive "lean back and listen" format. Here's what you need to know to get your audience to lean forward and engage.

Don’t get me wrong; a compelling title is crucial. It grabs attention and draws in the audience. However, it’s important that the content lives up to the expectations set by that title. Otherwise, you risk leaving your audience feeling shortchanged or misled.

Events producer and "Chief Solutions Officer" Tim Woodring shares behind-the-scenes info on how he generates and catalyzes ideas with corporate clients to produce powerful panels. As co-sponsor of the 2024 panel report with Unbridled, he discusses how anyone, any panelist, any moderator, can influence a panel to improve.

Meetings and events professional Brian Walter shares how to make panel discussions memorable, brilliant, and buzzworthy! He's talking about strategic questions that help panelists divulge the behind-the-scenes details everyone wants to hear.

Sitting properly in a chair during a panel discussion helps you project confidence and earn the audience’s respect.  They will lean in and listen to you when you have a poised presence. 

Here are general tips on how to sit properly in a chair during a panel discussion.

The ideal duration of a panel discussion can vary depending on the goals for the event, the panel in particular, the number of panelists, and the audience's expectations. Here is what to consider.

By using these seven strategies, you can overcome writer's block and create thoughtful, engaging questions for your panel discussion.

Handling aggressive behaviors or inappropriate questions during high-tension panel discussions requires a blend of pre-planning, clear guidelines, respectful interventions, and strategic redirection. By adopting these techniques from seasoned moderators and experts, you can maintain a professional and positive atmosphere, ensuring that all voices are heard and respected.

Use this "litmus test" for speakers, moderators, and panelists to determine if they are truly inclusive and focused on the audience. 

It happens ALL THE TIME - the dreaded front-row buffer zone.

As your attendees walk into the meeting room, they settle somewhere in the middle, back rows, or even the ends of the rows of chairs.

NO ONE typically sits in the front row..which is a problem.

Here's why it's a problem, and how to fix it.

Unfortunately, this scenario can happen to a panel moderator: You ask a probing or challenging question to a panelist and .... they got nothin'. They stare at you like a deer in the headlights.

What do you do when a panelist cannot answer your question? Actually, you have several options.

The ideal duration of a panel discussion can vary depending on the goals for the event, the panel in particular, the number of panelists, and the audience's expectations.  When deciding on the duration of your next panel discussion consider these factors.