Top 10 Trending Topics for Panel Discussions Q3, 2025

Panels Shouldn't Be a Break; They Should Be a Breakthrough

Too often, panels at conferences and events are treated as filler content. They give the audience a “break” between keynotes, or a convenient slot to...

Navigating Sponsored Panels Like a Pro Without Losing the Audience’s Trust

You’re preparing to moderate a panel only to discover it’s “sponsored.” Maybe even fully funded by one of the panelists’ companies and packed with spe...

Lean into Curiosity: The Panel Moderator’s Superpower

The most effective panel moderators aren’t just great timekeepers or expert facilitators...they’re relentlessly curious. At every stage of the panel e...

Introducing Panel Design Cards – Your Secret Weapon for Remarkable Panels

Panel Design Cards are a  powerful new tool to help you quickly and creatively design panel formats that are engaging, memorable, and fun. These cards...

Why Do We Tolerate Mediocre Panel Discussions?

If the keynote got a “not bad,” we’d reevaluate the speaker for next year. If the AV was “not bad,” we’d call a tech meeting. If the food was “not bad...

What’s Your Moderator Style? Mirror a Famous Face to Lead Your Panel

Every panel needs a moderator—but how you moderate can vary wildly depending on the topic, tone, and your personal style. Are you a steady guide, a fi...

The Red Flag Panel Discussion Technique

In a hilarious segment on The Jennifer Hudson Show featuring the cast of Netflix’s Nobody Wants This, the cast played a rapid-fire game of “dating red...

Avoid the Circle of Awesomeness During a Panel Discussion

If everyone’s agreeing, exclaiming how awesome we all are, no one’s learning. Here are six moderator-tested ways to keep your panel discussion out of...

Start Your Panel Strong: 19 Creative Ways to Welcome with Impact

A well-designed welcome is more than polite intros. It’s a strategic opportunity to spark curiosity, build rapport, and signal that this panel will be...

Start Smart: 10 Key Decisions to Build a Powerful Panel

The biggest mistake panel organizers make? Jumping straight into logistics without a clear foundation. Every effective panel discussion begins with th...

Panel Discussion Segment Starters: Launch into Each Panel Phase

Segment Starters aren't just gimmicks. When used with purpose and finesse, they act as meaningful catalysts for connection, surprise, and depth. They...

6 Essential Planning Documents for a Panel Discussion

These planning documents aren’t just paperwork—they’re your backstage blueprint to success. Use them strategically, and you’ll transform a good panel...

8 Ways to Add Visual Variety to Your Panel Discussions

Even the most riveting panel discussion can become monotonous if it’s just talking heads. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to spice things up vis...

The Five Levels of Panel Moderators

Whether you stumbled into panel moderating by accident or are now getting paid to guide conversations on big stages, one thing’s for sure: moderation...

Plan for the Worst to Deliver Your Best: The Power of a Panel Discussion Pre-Mortem

The concept of a “pre-mortem” was popularized by Gary Klein in a 2007 Harvard Business Review article. The idea? Instead of conducting a post-mortem a...

How Meeting Pros Can Convince Leadership to Invest in Better Panels

When it comes to allocating budget and resources, panel training often gets overlooked. “It’s just a panel,” they say. But you and I both know it’s ne...

How to Push Panelists Beyond Platitudes and Into Practicality

A great panel isn’t about vague concepts; it’s about concrete takeaways. As a moderator, it’s my job to make sure the audience gets value, not just ve...

How NOT to Have a Boring Panel Discussion

With a bit of intentionality, you can take a panel from ho-hum to the highlight of the conference! Whether you're the panel organizer, moderator, or p...

Turn up the Heat with the Hot Seat Challenge in a Panel Discussion

This hot seat challenge technique is equal parts thrilling and insightful. Watching panelists think fast and answer under pressure makes for an engagi...

Pardon the Interruption: A Fast-Paced Panel Format to Energize Your Discussion

The Pardon the Interruption format is an electrifying way to energize panel discussions, ensuring they remain compelling, engaging, and, most importan...

The Hot Potato vs. Lightning Round: What’s the Difference (and Which Works Better)?

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 Pot...

Key Characteristics of a Good Panel Discussion Question

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

Gamified Polling in a Panel Discussion

Gamified polling turns passive listeners into active participants by leveraging the natural appeal of games. Done well, it boosts engagement, encourag...

Seven Steps to Reward the First Questioner in a Panel Discussion

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 segm...

Pump UP the Volume The Power of Walk-Up Music for 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 s...

Your Biggest Panel Discussion Pet Peeve: 2024 Panel Report Findings

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.

What Moderators Should Never Say Avoiding the Most Common Pitfalls

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...

8 Ideas to Help You Get Asked to Be a Panelist

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 co...

How Meeting Organizers Can Actually Use Panel Feedback

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. Wh...

The GASP Litmus Test for Panel Discussion Content

Panel moderators should ask themselves, "Will anything the panelists prepare make the audience gasp with delight that they didn't know it, surprise th...

Creative Ways to Summarize a Panel Discussion

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

Panel Report Recommendation #1: Audience Engagement in a Panel Discussion

The 2024 Panel Report reinforces the notion that audiences demand more engagement and interaction. Panels are no longer a passive "lean back and liste...

Deliver on Your Panel Discussion Title Promise

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...

Powerful Panels Podcast: Producing Panels

Events producer and "Chief Solutions Officer" Tim Woodring shares behind-the-scenes info on how he generates and catalyzes ideas with corporate client...

Powerful Panels Podcast: What Makes a Panel Sticky?

Meetings and events professional Brian Walter shares how to make panel discussions memorable, brilliant, and buzzworthy! He's talking about strategic...

How to Sit Properly in a Chair During a Panel Discussion

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 y...

What's the Ideal Duration of 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 audi...

How to Overcome Writer's Block for Panel Questions

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

Effective Strategies for Moderators Navigating High-Tension Panel Discussions

Handling aggressive behaviors or inappropriate questions during high-tension panel discussions requires a blend of pre-planning, clear guidelines, res...