The Insider’s Playbook to Creating Impactful Panels

Panels can be tricky.

You want the audience to walk away buzzing, the panellists to feel like they’ve delivered, and the session to hit all the right notes for your event. That’s where I come in. My job is to help you create a panel that works on every level: meeting your goals, supporting your panellists, and keeping the audience engaged and off their phones.

The process starts well before anyone steps onto the stage. Here’s how it all comes together.

Understanding What You Really Want

The first step is to get clear on your goals. Every event starts with a vision, and I begin by asking key questions:

• What is the purpose of this session?
• What do you want the audience to walk away with?
• Are there any boundaries we need to be aware of, such as topics to avoid?
• What does success look like in the context of your event?

This isn’t about ticking boxes or filling a time slot. It is about creating a panel that serves the bigger picture. Whether it is showcasing expertise, elevating sponsors, or sparking bold conversations, the session is built with your vision in mind.

Preparing Your Panellists

Panellists are the heart of any session, and my role is to help them feel confident, prepared, and ready to bring their best. This starts with:

• Understanding their goals: What do they want to highlight? How do they want to come across?
• Building trust: Panellists don’t need to memorise a script to make an impact, and I help them find their natural flow while staying aligned with the session’s goals.
• Coaching with intention: This isn’t about a quick pep talk. It is about offering tailored guidance that helps them communicate effectively and connect with the audience in a way that feels authentic.

I once worked with a panellist who was sceptical about stepping away from his script. He reluctantly gave my approach a try, and afterward, he told me it was the best response he had ever received. That is the power of thoughtful preparation.

Crafting Questions That Deliver

With the panellists feeling ready, it is time to craft the questions. This is the part where everything clicks into place. A great panel is more than people talking it is a conversation that works on multiple levels:

• For you: Your key messages come across naturally and effectively.
• For your panellists: They feel empowered to share their insights in a way that feels genuine.
• For your audience: They experience a dynamic, engaging session that keeps them invested.

The result is a session that stands out for all the right reasons. No jargon, no canned responses, and definitely no “next slide, please” moments.

Why This Process Works for You

This process creates alignment between your goals, your panellists, and your audience. When those three pieces come together, the session becomes more than just a time slot it becomes an impactful moment that resonates with everyone in the room.

• Your goals stay in focus: Every question, interaction, and detail supports what you want to achieve.
• Your panellists feel empowered: Confident, authentic speakers elevate the entire session.
• Your audience stays engaged: A connected audience reflects positively on your event and keeps them coming back.

The Final Thought

People may not remember every word that was said on stage, but they will remember how the session made them feel

At the end of the day, people may not remember every word that was said on stage, but they will remember how the session made them feel. So here is something to consider: what would it take to turn your next panel into a session that stays with people long after they’ve left the room?

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