I have lost count on how many panels of experts I have been on over the last 15 years. It is not a large number….I’ve just lost count.
The questions I ask every time I hear of an event having a panel of experts is…
- Are they REALLY an expert?
- and, Will what the experts have to say make any difference?
Most of the people I have been on panels with really were not experts but were someone the host of the event found to fill in because the REAL expert bailed….or they could get a Real expert to participate.
True Experts Don’t Play Games
A True expert in a particular field will seldom accept an invitation to be on a panel unless it is in front of a large group of their peers.
Over the years I have had real experts turn down being on a panel at one of my events but were very happy to sit and have drinks with me to have the same discussion.
That goes to show how much they value the information they would be giving to people who probably don’t give a crap.
Talking to Empty Mines
To have someone who is an absolute expert on something sit in front of a group of people who gathered together just to see the keynote speaker who speaks after that panel discussion is a complete waste of their valuable time.
That is when the event coordinator starts filling panels with whoever they can find on LinkedIn.
But, really, is what is going to be discussed in a panel discussion going to result in a discovery of something new or provide some information to the audience that can be relied upon as be a fact? No would be the answer to these questions?
Can’t Get Something Out of Nothing
Don’t get me wrong…I have been to a few panel discussions where all that was said was of interest.
Like when I went to a panel discussion on the subject of restaurant marketing and found that Subway sandwich was going to start heating their buns.
Yes, that is all I got out of the discussion because none of the panelists were experts in Marketing anything.
All either owned a restaurant and had a big box marketing firm handle the marketing or was the owner of a fast-food franchise where the franchisor handled all of their marketing.
Yes…it was a HUGE waste of time…but I did stop by a Subway on the way home to get a turkey and cheese with the cheese melted.
Think about it the next time you see a notice on an event being held that features a panel discussion. The event may be a good one for developing more business relationships..but you probably could just hang at the bar clearing your Twitter notification and get just as much out it.
ZOOM Panels
Don’t get me started on the panel discussion being held via a ZOOM call.
First of all, even if the panel is filled with absolute, bonafide experts, having them talk to a large number of people on ZOOM is probably the biggest insult you could give the experts.
If you are an event coordinator and you are forced into going virtual…find a video marketing firm and get into a studio and record the panel discussion…then run the video on ZOOM..or whatever virtual meeting platform that will allow you to feature a video.
It will be a better production and the outcome will at least be of more value to viewers and experts.
Just think about what you are spending your time and money on doing that probably is going to be a waste of time and good money.
And…ALL of this advice is from an expert that is not on a panel.
Let me know how I can help.
