How to Moderate a Great Panel
One of the most frequently asked questions I encounter is how to moderate a compelling panel discussion. The technology landscape is rapidly evolving, and industry panels have become essential platforms for examining trends, innovations, and challenges. Whether it’s a business event, a tech conference, or a virtual webinar, a well-moderated panel can drive thought leadership, influence decision-makers, and nurture valuable industry connections. Having led over 200 discussions on subjects including AI, blockchain, and leadership, I’ve developed effective strategies to ensure a productive and engaging panel that delivers real business value.
The Role of a Moderator
The moderator’s role extends beyond simply introducing speakers and posing questions. A skilled moderator ensures the conversation remains insightful, strategic, and aligned with business objectives. Whether the goal is to educate the audience, generate leads, or shape industry policies, moderators must curate discussions that yield actionable insights. Various platforms now host panel discussions, and the format significantly influences engagement and effectiveness.
- In-person panels require a strong stage presence and effective audience interaction. A good moderator observes body language, encourages dynamic conversations, and manages the energy of the discussion.
- Virtual panels, like those on Zoom or webinar platforms, necessitate structured time management to maintain engagement. Moderators should facilitate smooth transitions, minimize technical issues, and keep panelists focused.
- Text-based panels, such as Reddit AMAs or online forums, require clear, concise responses and strong community engagement abilities. Moderators should curate top questions and provide well-articulated answers to keep discussions lively.
How to Moderate a Great Panel in Steps
1. Conduct Business-Oriented Research and Prepare Strategic Questions
Tech panels should offer real industry insights rather than superficial discussions. To achieve this, conduct thorough research on market trends, competitor strategies, and emerging innovations. By framing discussions around ROI, business impact, and industry predictions, moderators can ensure relevance for executive audiences. For instance, when moderating a panel on decentralized AI at Davos, structure questions around regulatory challenges, corporate adoption strategies, and investment trends. This ensures the discussion resonates with business leaders seeking practical applications and investment opportunities.
2. Moderate With a Pre-Panel Strategy Session with Panelists
A successful panel requires alignment among speakers. A pre-panel briefing helps ensure panelists understand the intended business impact of the discussion. It also identifies the unique value each panelist brings and establishes a narrative flow that prevents redundancies and encourages an engaging dialogue. For example, a pre-discussion allows panelists to align on interoperability challenges, enterprise adoption, and investment risks. This approach creates a strategic and solution-focused discussion. I usually create a document with all the details and then host a pre-meeting to ensure everyone’s prepared but not rehearsed.
3. Read the Room and Adjust as You Moderate for Engagement
Maintaining a dynamic and engaging panel is crucial for retaining audience interest. Moderators should observe audience reactions—are they engaged, nodding, or taking notes? Encouraging real-time interaction by allowing brief audience questions at key moments can help maintain energy and focus. For example, during a CES panel on AI and blockchain, I noticed that technical jargon was alienating some attendees. I prompted panelists to reframe their points in terms of business ROI, re-engaging the audience and ensuring key takeaways were clear and actionable.
Shyam Nagarajan, COO of Hedera, has a keen ability to read the room and adjust discussions to keep audiences engaged. During a panel on decentralized AI and blockchain, he quickly noticed when technical jargon was losing the audience and skillfully reframed the conversation into real-world applications. By observing body language and engagement cues, he redirected panelists to focus on business impact, ensuring the discussion remained accessible and valuable. He encouraged audience interaction at key moments, allowing real-time feedback to shape the conversation. Shyam’s ability to adapt and pivot in the moment ensures that his panels stay dynamic, insightful, and impactful. Reading the room does take practice. Don’t be afraid to pause or take time to see your audience faces. It will make you more successful.
4. Facilitate Seamless Conversations and Connect Key Ideas
Great panels resemble organic conversations rather than rigid Q&A sessions. The moderator should ensure smooth transitions between speakers, preventing abrupt topic shifts. Highlighting connections between the panelists’ viewpoints creates compelling discussions, and panelists should be encouraged to challenge or build on each other’s perspectives.
For instance, Ray Wang, the CEO and founder of Constellation Group, masterfully leads panels with numerous panelists. Ray Wang expertly facilitates seamless conversations, ensuring a dynamic flow while keeping discussions focused and insightful. He connects key ideas by framing questions that link emerging trends with real-world applications so that each panelist builds on the previous insights rather than delivering disjointed responses. His deep subject matter expertise allows him to translate complex topics into clear, actionable takeaways, making discussions engaging for both executives and practitioners. Ray also balances voices on the panel, drawing in quieter participants and challenging broad statements with data-driven follow-ups to create a well-rounded dialogue. His ability to synthesize diverse perspectives into a cohesive narrative ensures that every discussion leaves the audience with valuable, forward-thinking insights.
5. Drive Tangible Business Outcomes and Takeaways
The most valuable panels inform and drive action. Summarizing key insights and highlighting actionable strategies before closing ensures the discussions have a lasting impact. Encourage panelists to share practical recommendations and future forecasts, providing attendees with clear direction. If applicable, moderators should provide audience members with additional resources or follow-up opportunities to continue the conversation. As the moderator, Megan Nilsson, known as Crypto Megan, ensured the Real World Assets (RWA) and Tokenization of Finance panel delivered tangible business takeaways by keeping the conversation focused and actionable. She guided panelists beyond theory, steering discussions toward real-world applications like tokenized treasuries and institutional adoption. When answers became vague, she pressed for data-driven insights and practical strategies, ensuring every response had value. By summarizing key points throughout and closing with clear next steps for attendees, Megan made sure the audience left with a roadmap, not just ideas. Her ability to synthesize diverse perspectives into concrete takeaways transformed the session into a high-impact discussion.
Final Thoughts to Help You Moderate
Moderating a great panel is challenging, but it’s a skill that can be learned. A well-moderated tech panel has the potential to shape industry discussions, influence investment decisions, and guide business strategy. Whether you are moderating an executive roundtable at Davos, a startup panel at CES, or a virtual forum on Reddit, the key is to be prepared, stay engaged, and make sure the discussions translate into real business insights. For business leaders, investors, and technology professionals, a strong panel discussion is more than thought leadership—it’s an opportunity to navigate industry shifts, identify opportunities, and build meaningful collaborations. Moderators play a critical role in making these conversations insightful, actionable, and impactful for all participants. By moderating effectively, you transform a panel from a simple conversation into a high-impact learning experience. Make sure you share your top ways to moderate a great panel.
