Conference organizers often spend an enormous amount of time and resources in the execution of an event, but often forget that a good event moderator is critical for success. Often, an expert in the field is chosen to moderate the event that may seem logical, but runs the risk of making the discussion academic, disengaging and editorially skewed. Moderating an event requires the moderator to engage, improvise, and energize, with just enough domain knowledge to be able to make the discussion effective, meaningful and result oriented.
An event moderator can do important things, such as:
o Help to shape the agenda so that it is clear and has a narrative.
o Helps reinforce the significance of the event and the importance of what is being said.
o Makes the discussion lively and dynamic.
o Maintains the pace of the event
o Encourages participation from the speakers and the audience
o Draws conclusions and shapes the direction after the event.
A moderator is in a position to change the energy in the room, the flow of the session, and the content that emerges. Great moderators make the panelists better, draw out the most interesting information and keep listeners engaged.
A brief selection of conferences Chetan has moderated is listed below. Click on the Conference title to view the video for the same.