What are the best ways to engage with panelists during a conference?

1 Prepare ahead of time

Before the conference, do some research on the panelists and their topics. Find out their backgrounds, interests, and perspectives. Read their blogs, books, or articles if they have any. Think of some questions or comments that you would like to ask or share with them. This will help you to connect with them on a personal level and show your interest and appreciation for their work.

2 Be respectful and attentive

During the panel discussion, pay attention to what the panelists are saying and how they are interacting with each other. Don't interrupt them or dominate the conversation. Be respectful of their opinions and experiences, even if you disagree with them. Avoid asking questions that are too personal, irrelevant, or offensive. Instead, ask open-ended questions that invite them to elaborate, clarify, or provide examples. Thank them for their answers and acknowledge their contributions.

4 Share your feedback and insights

Another way to engage with panelists is to share your feedback and insights with them and the conference organizers. You can fill out a survey, write a review, or post a comment on the conference website or app. You can also write a blog post, a tweet, or a LinkedIn update about your key takeaways and impressions from the panel discussion. Tag the panelists and the conference organizers and mention what you liked or learned from them. This will help you to show your appreciation and recognition for their work and also generate some visibility and engagement for yourself.

5 Apply what you learned

Finally, don't forget to apply what you learned from the panelists to your own work or projects. Review your notes and identify the main points, ideas, or tips that you can use or implement. Try to put them into practice as soon as possible and see how they work for you. You can also share your results or challenges with the panelists and ask them for feedback or advice. This will help you to improve your skills and performance and also demonstrate your interest and commitment to learning.

6 Keep learning and growing

Engaging with panelists during a conference is not only a way to learn from them, but also a way to learn from yourself. By asking questions, sharing comments, giving feedback, and applying what you learned, you can enhance your knowledge, skills, and confidence. You can also expand your network, increase your visibility, and discover new opportunities. So, don't miss the chance to engage with panelists during a conference and keep learning and growing.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?