The Business Case for Investing in an Expert Panel Moderator

Panel discussions are a staple of conferences, summits, and thought leadership events, but they’re also one of the most criticised formats. There’s nothign worse than an hour of dull exchanges, disjointed conversations, and forgettable takeaways. But a good panel moderator can bring those moments to life in a very real way.

Having moderated hundreds of panels and attended countless conferences down the years, I have a few tales of the trade, but let’s have a quick gawk at some hard data about the impact of a great panel moderator.

1. Audience Engagement Skyrockets by 62% with A Skilled Panel Moderator

EventMB’s 2020 State of Panels Report found that 62% of attendees rated panels as “engaging” when led by a professional panel moderator, compared to just 28% for poorly moderated sessions. This aligns with findings from Harvard Business Review, which notes that dynamic moderation reduces “audience drift,” keeping attendees actively listening rather than scrolling (HBR, 2021).All of which results in higher satisfaction scores, longer session attendance, and more meaningful networking opportunities post-event.

2. Content Retention Jumps to 1.5x with Guided Dialogue

Brilliant panel moderators don’t just hold attention, they actively shape how audiences internalise information. By curating crisp narratives, posing incisive questions, and avoiding tangents, moderators can help audiences retain actionable insights long after the event ends.

In this 2014 study by Freeman, they found that students in active learning environments (e.g. discussions) outperformed those in passive lectures by 1.5x on exams, effectively improving retention. While this is focused on an academic setting, it is fair to assume that the same criteria apply to a discussion based corporate event. After all, isn’t every day a school day for us lifelong learners?

3. Speaker Satisfaction Soars with Professional Support

Panelists aren’t just content providers; they’re stakeholders in their own reputations. According to Bizzabo’s Event Trends Report, 71% of speakers said a professional panel moderator was “critical” to their satisfaction, citing better-prepared discussions and reduced pressure to “carry” the conversation. When moderators manage a discussion well, then the speakers are more likely to shine (and are more likely to return for future events).

4. Post-Event Content Lifespan Can be Stretched

The impact of a powerful panel discussion doesn’t end when the lights dim. It’s common practice for marketers to reuse content. For example, 60% of marketers reuse content two to five times to maximize its impact Why wouldn’t you reuse panel content in the same way for blogs, social media, or lead magnets. Sometimes someone else said it way better than you could have, so you should capture that and share it with others.

How to Identify a Master Moderator Before Your Event (The Vetting Process)

One last set of tips to help you look out for the best moderator for your next panel discussion. Consider these when you’re in search mode:

1. Past Performance: Beyond general testimonials like “Kalle was great!” look for specific feedback about their moderation techniques
2. Subject Matter Familiarity: While deep expertise isn’t always necessary, comfort with your industry’s concepts and terminology is.
3. Listening Skills: During planning calls, notice how attentively they listen and how thoughtfully they respond (if they’re interrupting you on the planning call, imagine what they’ll do to your panelists!)
4. Preparation Approach: Ask about their specific process for preparing to moderate your panel (if they say “I’ll just wing it”, run for the hills)
5. Adaptability: Inquire about instances where they’ve had to pivot when panel discussions took unexpected turns (because they will, it’s basically an unwritten law)

Hopefully you found all of that helpful. Now, go ahead and hire a great panel moderator for your next event *cough* like Kalle Ryan

If you’re interested in bringing my magical moderator skills to your next event , then clickety click the yellow box below to learn more about my live comms services. Still have questions? Book a free 30-minute consultation here or send me an email.