Be a Great Panellist – A Few Hints and Tips
Prepare Thoroughly
Know the event and audience
Work with organisers ahead of the event to understand the panel’s topic and who is attending. Are they end users, integrators, consultants, or manufacturers? What’s top of mind for them? Is it system design trends, hybrid meeting experiences, or sustainability in AV technologies?
Clarify the format
Ask how the session will flow: will there be opening remarks, audience Q&A, closing thoughts? Knowing the structure helps you prepare and stay relaxed.
Define your key points
Pick two or three insights that connect to current challenges or opportunities in the sector, such as AV-over-IP adoption, remote management, user experience design, or integration of AI in control systems.
Link them to personal experience, practical examples, or current trends. Don’t try to say everything – focus on what matters most.
Coordinate with the moderator
If there’s a prep call, join it. This will enable you to get a sense of the questions, tone, and see who else will be speaking. This helps avoid overlap and makes for a smoother conversation.
Speak Effectively
Be concise
Time is limited. Aim for clear, focused answers. Keep your points tight – 90 seconds or less is usually plenty.
Avoid jargon
Use plain language and real-world, practical AV-sector specific examples. If you must use technical terms, explain them briefly. For instance, if you talk about “networked audio” or “control protocol” straightforwardly explain them.
The goal is to make your insights clear to everyone in the room, even those who are not deeply technical.
Be yourself
Authenticity is compelling. Speak in your natural voice, and don’t worry about sounding “polished.” Clear and honest beats perfect and rehearsed.
Stay on point
Keep your answers relevant to the topic. If you wander off, loop back with a phrase like, “To bring this back to your original question…”
Support what you say
Back up your points with quick anecdotes, stats, or examples, but keep them brief and relevant.
Engage With the Panel
Listen actively
Stay engaged while other panellists are talking. Avoid thinking about your next point while they’re speaking. Don’t just wait for your turn to talk – engage with what others are saying. Reference their points, build on them, or offer a contrasting view.
Share the space
Balance airtime. If you’ve been quiet, look for a good moment to jump in. If you’ve spoken a lot, step back and invite others in.
Stay on topic
Keep your contributions relevant to the conversation. If something’s interesting but off-topic, consider saving it for after the session.
Connect With the Audience
Make it practical
Whenever possible, offer actionable advice, concrete examples, or lessons learned. The audience wants useful takeaways.
Use stories and analogies
Brief stories, analogies, or “lessons from experience” can make your points memorable and relatable. A relatable anecdote, like how you might describe how a university used usage analytics from AV control systems to optimise lecture capture rooms and reduce downtime.
Answer what’s really being asked
If there’s an audience Q&A, make sure you are addressing the actual concern behind the question. Feel free to reframe the question slightly if it helps clarify your answer.
Handle Challenges Gracefully
If you disagree
Disagreements are fine – just keep them constructive. Try, “I see it a little differently…” or “From my experience…”
If you’re interrupted
Let it go once or twice – this can happen in a live setting. If it’s frequent, make eye contact with the moderator or gently assert: “If I could just finish that thought…”
If someone dominates
Let the moderator manage it. Stay focused and be ready to jump in when invited.
End Strong
Wrap with a clear takeaway
If you’re given a chance for closing remarks, briefly restate one core insight. Keep it positive and forward-looking.
Thank everyone
A quick thank you to the audience and your fellow panellists is always a great way to close.
