Panel discussions are often a go-to play in events, yet there has been very little research on this highly prevalent format. As a panel expert, I conducted two reports – one in 2014 and more recently in 2024 – to discover how effective panel discussions are at meetings, conferences, and conventions.
Is the panel format valuable? As in 2014, the data shows us, the answer is “Yes” when done well; “No” when done poorly. Do it well when you decide to put a panel on the program. Toss out the outdated traditional models and create a panel discussion that is one of the program’s highest-rated sessions.
These reports are meant to stimulate discussion among those who organize and participate in panel discussions in the corporate, association, and nonprofit worlds.
May the findings spur you to think about and rethink use of the panel format at your meetings, conferences, and conventions. We hope that every panel discussion hits the ball out of the park, is a home run, gets a standing ovation, and that your meeting attendees are talking about the takeaways in the hallways.
The 2024 Panels Report offers some of the most up-to-date information available on the effectiveness of panel discussions at meetings, conferences, and conventions.
In this panel discussion report, Over 100 executives and meeting organizers commented on:
- The effectiveness of the panel discussion format – then and now
- What has contributed to improvements and declines in panels
- What makes a panel great and relevant
- Their biggest pet peeve(s) about panels
- The future of panels
- Panel improvement recommendations from the survey respondents
Download your free copy of the 2024 panel report here.
The Panel Discussion Report: A 2014 Snapshot on the Effectiveness of Panel Discussions at Meetings, Conferences & Conventions offers a snapshot of the effectiveness of panel discussions at meetings, conferences, and conventions.
In the 2014 panel discussion report, over 500 executives and meeting organizers commented on:
- The effectiveness of the panel discussion format
- What drives them crazy about panels
- Their biggest pet peeve(s) about panels
- The 10 most common moderator mistakes
- The 10 most common panelist mistakes
Download your free copy of the 2014 Panel Discussion Report here.
It is the choices you make that will significantly improve the success of your next panel discussion. We wish you well as you continue to upgrade your panel discussions.
