Campusalam

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Several speakers are invited to speak on the same or related topics (or occasionally contrasting ones). Questions can be taken at the end of each speech, or when all have finished.

Format: It’s best not to go for more than an hour and a half without a break, occasionally two hours if you don’t mind people slipping in and out.

If you are having two speakers, it is better to encourage them to speak for half an hour or 45 minutes maximum.

You may wish to allow them first to respond to each other before taking questions from the audience.

Sample format:

- Introduction from chairperson or host (5 minutes maximum, usually less)
- Speech (30 – 45 minutes)
- [Optional short break of 5 minutes]
- Second introduction
- Second speaker (30 - 45 minutes)
- Questions to both speakers or ‘panel discussion’ (20 minutes)

Multi-person panel format: 2 to 2½ hours

Each speaker receives a brief introduction, speaks for 20 minutes or a maximum of 30, and questions and discussions happen at the end. Works best with a small break or where people can slip in and out quietly without disturbing the speakers and audience.

Pros:

- Comparatively simple and doesn’t take much imagination to organise or facilitate
- Gets quality information from high-value speakers
- Allows for some depth – suits a complex and important topic
- Gets a possible contrast or balance of views, or allows different aspects of a topic to be explored more fully
- Allows some interaction for attendees
- Gives contact and exposure to interesting figures and ideas so they can be explored
- A popular format – people know what to expect and don’t feel exposed or embarrassed

Cons:

- It can be long for some people’s attention span especially if there’s no break in between
- Some people don’t learn best this way
- Needs a little more chairing – especially if the speakers clash
- Restricts audience participation – the people asking questions will be the most extravert, not necessarily the best
- Can easily be disrupted or hijacked by people who want to create trouble; or even well-meaning people in the audience who keep the microphone and give their own little speech, annoying everyone.
- Speaker’s costs will need to be covered; the more speakers, the more expensive