If you have been asked to organize an event here at school, then you might feel a bit overwhelmed with everything you need to do. From selecting a venue to hiring guest speakers, the entire process is going to require that you have some project management skills.
Fortunately Berry College provides some resources that can help. You can use this link to find ongoing events in the calendar. You can also check this link to find more events to give you an idea of the possible events you can produce here. Berry also provides services that can help with your event planning goals. Here is an outline of some of the event planning process information you should also be aware of.
Here are some tips to help you plan your event the right way:
Organizing a college event with a panel discussion can be a great way to bring the campus community together to explore important topics. However, pulling off such an event requires careful planning and execution of several key steps.
Selecting the Right Venue
The venue is one of the most critical aspects to get right from the start. You'll need a space that can accommodate the expected number of attendees comfortably with appropriate seating and audio/visual capabilities. Consider rooms on campus like auditoriums or large classroom halls. Make sure to reserve the space well in advance.
Identifying an Engaging Theme
The theme will be the driving force behind the entire event, so choose wisely. Opt for a topic that is thought-provoking, relevant, and of great interest to students. A theme that ties into current events, societal issues, or hot-button debates tends to work well. Having a focused theme will help attract engaging panelists and pique attendees' interest.
Hiring Dynamic Guest Speakers
The guest speakers are the marquee element that can make or break the success of a panel discussion event. Aim to recruit 3-5 panelists who are credentialed experts, thought leaders, or individuals with unique perspectives or experiences related to the theme. Diversity in backgrounds and viewpoints among the panelists can enrich the discourse.
Don't forget to designate one individual to serve as the panel moderator to keep the discussion on track. The moderator should be well-versed in the topic and skilled at facilitation. You can hire speakers at KeynoteSpeakers.info and MotivationalSpeakerz.com
Promoting the Event
Once you've solidified the key details like venue, theme and panelists, it's time to get the word out through a multi-channel promotional campaign. Leverage your campus' communication platforms like newsletters, email blasts, social media, flyers, and more. Try to get faculty support to promote the event during class sessions as well.
Engaging the Audience
In addition to selecting compelling panelists, be sure to build in ample time for a Q&A segment during the event. Allowing the audience to engage directly helps reinforce the value of the panel and facilitates deeper dialogue on the topic. Consider having roving microphones or passing around index cards to collect questions.
With the right planning and execution, an engaging college discussion panel event can foster insightful discourse and become a marquee experience for your campus community.