If you're curating business conferences, you know the challenge: You've got to feature *all* important people but you've got only a given timeframe to do so and it still has to be meaningful and digestible for the audience. For a client I looked into ways to master this challenge. In the end the presentation catered for a new setup of the panel (just 4 panelists). Curious for your thoughts and comments!

1. FEATURING 7 PEOPLE IN 30 MINUTES
Evaluation of options for a short plenary session !
at a business conference put together by Anja Kantowsky !
July 2014

2. Talk
A moderator opens up the discussion and directs a question to one panelist.
The talk goes on from there, involving all panelists.

3. Talk
A moderator opens up the discussion
and directs a question to one panelist.!
The talk goes on from there, involving
all panelists.
Works with controversy around an
interesting matter of debate and
max. 4 panelists
5’
Opening of discussion
10’
Discussion
2’
Wrap-up so far
3’
Input for further "
discussion
8’
Discussion
2’
Wrap-up
+
No further means/media needed
Spontaneous
-
Dull if scripted too much
Turns to a statement-rallye with
too many panelists
Needs an experienced
moderator

4. Potpourri
A moderator opens up a limited set of topics. There is an overall narrative
and some common grounds among panelists that enable transitions from one
to the other.

5. Potpourri
A moderator opens up a limited set of
topics. There is an overall narrative &
some common grounds among
panelists that enable transitions.
Works if potpourri topics are
connected by a strong narrative.
3’
Introduction of
narrative
7’
Topic 1
7’
Topic 2
7’
Topic 3
4’
Q&A
2’
Wrap-up
+
Variety
Can be mixed with other media
(not just talking heads)
-
Can feel random if narrative
isn’t strong
Only loose connection btw.
Panelists
?
Opens up room for last-minute
changes

6. Datadriven Potpourri
Applying various “lenses” on the panelists in order to group them. E.g. those
from the region with the highest margins, the highest overall business
volume etc. They tell how they got there and how they are going to proceed.

7. Datadriven Potpourri
Applying various “lenses” on the
panelists in order to group them.
Works if there are interesting
“lenses” and no one left out
3’
Introduction
12’
Featuring 4 panelists,
3’ each
2’
Interval for overall
messages
9’
Featuring 3 panelists,
3’ each
4’
Wrap-up
+
Variety
Can be mixed with other media
-
Conflict if there’s an
overachiever in all categories
7 panelist might be a number
too high to apply the approach

8. Feature
The moderator introduces a feature topic. Panelists showcase their stake in
the topic – It’s their conversation starter and lens on everything they are
going to tell

9. Feature
The moderator introduces a feature
topic. Panelists showcase their stake
in the topic.
Works if feature topic truly fits
with all
3’
Introduction of feature
topic
21’
Exploring of various
aspects of feature
topic
(3’ each)
4’
Q&A
2’
Wrap-up
+
Memorability
Can be mixed with other media
Connection btw. panelists
-
Could leave important inputs
out if topic is too narrow
?
Moderator doesn’t have a strong
role

10. Snapshots / Tabloid
Exploration of diversity alongside of a common question e.g. how is a deal
being closed in region xyz. Question serves as a conversation starter to tell
anything panelist needs to say.

11. Snapshots / Tabloid
Exploration of diversity alongside of a
common question. Question serves as
a conversation starter to tell
anything panelist needs to say.
Works if there is real diversity and
a cheerful bunch of panelists
3’
Overview / introduction
21
Snapshots (3’ each)
4’
Q&A
2’
Wrap-up
+
Openness
Can be mixed with other media
-
Could feel shallow
Approach could not fit with all
panelists
?
Moderator doesn’t have a strong
role
Opens up room for last-minute
changes

12. Gameshow
Panelists are players in a game. A moderator is taking care of rules and flow.

13. Gameshow
Panelists are players in a game. A
moderator is taking care of rules and
flow.
Works if panelists are ok with
competition and with an
entertaining moderator
3’
Introduction of the
game
10’
Playing the game
4’
Interval (option for an
“ad break”)
10’
2nd half
3’
Finale
+
Memorability
High engagement of panelists
and audience
Each panelist is active during
the whole session
-
Could feel uncomfortable for
some panelists
Dev. of good game logics could
be a hard nut to crack
?
Unusual in the business context

14. Story
The moderator tells a story using panelists’ input as ingredients.

15. Story
The moderator tells a story using
panelists’ input as ingredients.
Works if there is a story to tell with
all inputs. Needs to apply essential
storytelling rules*
2’
Introduction
5’
Conflict
13’
Drama
5’
Resolution
5’
Wrap-up
+
Memorability
Can be mixed with other media
Good means to start change
-
Could feel uncomfortable for
some panelists
Dev. of a good story could be a
hard nut to crack
?
Unusual in the business context

16. Expert Panel
Panelists get introduced as experts in a field. They answer questions from
the public according their expertise.

17. Expert Panel
Panelists get introduced as experts in
a field. They answer questions
according to their expertise.
Works if expertise is credible and
in a field the audience is concerned
about without having it themselves
7’
Introduction of panel
1’
Explanation of where
questions derive from
and how they get asked
to panelists
10’
Answering of questions
(1,5’ per panelist)
2’
Interval (option for an
“ad break”)
7’
Answering of questions
3’
Wrap-up
+
Can be mixed with other media
Engagement of the audience
Can be prepared via internal
social media
-
Overall impression could be
bit’s ‘n pieces
Could feel shallow if expertise is
too close to the audience’s
expertise

18. Got more?
If you’ve got another idea how to feature 7 people in 30 minutes drop me a
line: https://twitter.com/kantafiore
Need input planning your business conference? Visit www.akanto.de