About the Book

Add some pizazz to the traditional panel discussion format with these tips and techniques.

Drawn from her extensive experience as a nationally recognized speaker, master facilitator, and panel moderator, Kristin Arnold provides 123 different ways to transform a traditional panel discussion into the hit of your conference!

In this 200+ page reference guide, you discover myriad ideas to punch up your panels including how to:

  • Design an inspiring panel format
  • Find and prepare your panelists
  • Curate fabulous questions
  • Set the stage and A/V tips
  • Open with pizazz!
  • Inspire spontaneous and informative conversations
  • Intervene firmly but tactfully
  • Finish with panache
  • Keep the audience at the edge of their seats
  • Shift gears periodically
  • Engage & involve the audience
  • Moderate lively audience Q&A
  • PLUS tons of tips on how to adapt these techniques to the virtual environment!

Just pull out this quick reference guide to provide a little inspiration for your live, face-to-face, virtual, and hybrid panel discussions!

and get these BONUS Gifts with purchase!

  • BONUS Chapter

    How to use these techniques during in-person, virtual, and hybrid business meetings.

  • Planning Worksheet

    Collaborate with the meeting organizer or planner to understand the starting conditions.

  • Checklists

    of the key activities you need to do and remember to ensure a conducive and positive environment.

  • Panelist Intro Slides Template

    Introduce the panelists' credentials quickly - without eating up valuable discussion time (pptx & key formats)

  • Tip Sheets

    Panelist Do's & Don'ts; How To Engage the Audience; and Virtual Variations.

  • White Papers

    Short white papers on crowdsourcing, social media, meeting apps, & Legos(r).

  • Equipment

    Links to the equipment Kristin uses when adding pizazz to the panel.

  • Tech Tools

    Links to the technology tools Kristin uses to engage the audience.

  • Kristin Arnold

    Certified Professional Facilitator | Master

    Kristin Arnold

    Kristin Arnold MBA, CSP, CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame, CPF | Master, is passionate about making all panel discussions more engaging, interactive and collaborative. She has surveyed and studied what makes panel discussions absolutely fabulous – or not.

    Since 1993, Kristin is the founder and President of Quality Process Consultants, a boutique consulting firm specializing in galvanizing leaders and their teams to think things through, make better collaborative decisions to achieve sustainable results.

    She’s a high stakes meeting facilitator, trainer, keynote speaker and panel moderator, known for her concrete approaches and practical concepts, tools and techniques her clients can apply immediately to see positive, substantive results.

    Kristin was one of the first female graduates of the United States Coast Guard Academy and the first woman stationed onboard the USCGC Buttonwood, a seagoing buoy tender.

    She parlayed her understanding of teams and teamwork with an MBA in Marketing Strategy into a specialized management consulting firm focused on building extraordinary teams in the workplace.

    She is an award-winning author and Past President of the US National Speakers Association. She divides her time between Scottsdale, Arizona and Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Dave Lutz, Managing Director, Velvet Chainsaw Consulting

These "Next" Practices Have Never Been More Timely

Dave Lutz, Managing Director, Velvet Chainsaw Consulting

When it comes to panels, Kristin Arnold is the master. She is our “go to” resource for inspiring our customers and team to raise the bar to make panels more exciting and informative. Kristin has filled the pages of this book with ideas and inspiration to help you shake things up and better deliver value to your attendees.
Wayne Cooper, Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Group & Publisher of Chief Executive magazine

Priceless

Wayne Cooper, Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Group & Publisher of Chief Executive magazine

Kristin Arnold is an expert public speaker and moderator who knows how to make meetings engaging, insightful and valuable. In this priceless bookl, she shares her expertise and wisdom to help others lead more effective and engaging panels. If you are running a conference, meeting or panel, you owe it to your audience to probe Kristin’s ideas.
Elaine Biech, Author #1 Best Seller Nonfiction, The Washington Post, The Art and Science of Training

Full of Creative Ideas!

Elaine Biech, Author #1 Best Seller Nonfiction, The Washington Post, The Art and Science of Training

I love this book! It is so full of ideas. I want to go out and get myself a panel RIGHT NOW so I can try some things out!
Shep Hyken, customer service/experience expert, award-winning keynote speaker, and New York Times bestselling author

A Must Read for All Who Moderate Panels

Shep Hyken, customer service/experience expert, award-winning keynote speaker, and New York Times bestselling author

There is nobody on the planet that has done more research on how to have a successful panel discussion. If there is a panel in your future, this is the must-read book that will ensure your success.
Chip R. Bell, Author, Inside Your Customer’s Imagination

Turn Your Panels into Partnership Forums that are Joyful for Panel Leaders, Influential for Panelists & Compelling for Attendees.

Chip R. Bell, Author, Inside Your Customer’s Imagination

This great book is THE treasure trove of panel leading and panel participating wisdom.  Chocked full of magical techniques and astute advice, it will turn all your panels into partnership forums that are joyful for panel leaders, influential for panelists, and compelling for attendees.  Kristin Arnold has left no stone unturned as she brings deep experience and expertise to the world of panels
Larry Winget, 6X NYT/WSJ Bestselling author, TV personality and Social Commentator

A Must-Read: Shows You How to Make Panels Work

Larry Winget, 6X NYT/WSJ Bestselling author, TV personality and Social Commentator

I've seen panels make a meeting as well as derail a meeting. They must be done well or you will lose the audience completely.  This book shows you how to make panels work and is a must-read for every meeting planner, speaker or expert.
Susan Stark, Retired Engineer & Manager

If I Had Only Known What You Could Do With a Panel!

Susan Stark, Retired Engineer & Manager

If I had only read this book when I was a working professional. I had no idea you could do all that with a panel!
Mark Sanborn, Leadership Strategist, Author of The Fred Factor and The Intention Imperative

Everything a Savvy Panel Moderator or Panelist Needs to Know

Mark Sanborn, Leadership Strategist, Author of The Fred Factor and The Intention Imperative

Panels can be tough to moderate and even tougher to watch if not moderated well. This book provides everything the savvy panelist and/or panel moderator needs to know to triumph.
Kate Delaney, Nationally Syndicated Talk Show host and Award winning Author

The Only Book You'll Ever Need to Moderate an Engaging Panel

Kate Delaney, Nationally Syndicated Talk Show host and Award winning Author

Kristin Arnold's, 123 Ways to Add Pizazz to a Panel Discussion, is one of a kind. If you want engaging and extraordinary panels this is the only book you'll ever need.
Jack Cohen, President & Chief Innovation Officer, Stronghill Capital

Create Panels that are Fast-Moving & Extemporaneous

Jack Cohen, President & Chief Innovation Officer, Stronghill Capital

I have had a lot of experience moderating panels, and audiences want to eavesdrop on a private conversation between expert colleagues rather than experience “sell and tell”, “show up and throw up”, narcissistic ‘I am great’ monologues. Kristin Arnold’s latest book, 123 Ways to Add Pizazz to a Panel Discussion shows creative ways to create panels that are not scripted, are fast-moving, and are extemporaneous.