A Unique Conference Design

The Missouri State University Public Affairs Conference is best defined as informed citizens sharing both their professional and personal vantage points with an audience of students, campus members and community.

This unique conference brings together professionals from diverse fields to dialogue and explore issues related to its theme, and the theme's impact on government, the arts, education, science, business, economics, medicine and much more.

As a panelist, you will share your professional and personal perspectives on your selected topic with an audience of domestic and international students, campus and community members.

How panels are designed...

Panel descriptions are written for, and addressed by panelists, in relation to the conference theme. Panels are expected to be dialogue exchanges, so no Power Point or other visual aids are allowed.

Members of the conference’s Advisory Committee will serve as Q&A moderators and session hosts for each panel.
Panel sessions are 50 minutes in duration.
Panel Host will begin the session and introduce each of the panelists - approx. 5 minutes.
Each panel will consist of 3-4 speakers. Each panelist has 5-7 minutes to comment on any aspect/perspective they choose regarding the topic.
The additional 25 minutes will be moderated Q & A facilitated by the Moderator. Not all panelists have to respond to every question posed.
Zoom Webinar platform does not allow for attendees to be seen, as in Zoom Meetings. Audience can pose questions using the Q&A Function, but only the Moderator will view and pose appropriate questions to the panelists.
Each panel ranges from 60-400 in attendance when offered in the virtual format.
The Host is your personal guide before, during and after the actual panel session. Panelists will gather in the Speaker Hospitality/Green Room 15 minutes prior to the session for introductions to each other and last-minute details. Moderators will assist panelists keep within their time limits, and generally address any issue that might assist with or impede the panel session.

How to approach your panel topic...

Unlike most other conferences, the Public Affairs Conference offers an opportunity for panelists to actually listen to and interact with each other. This is not a debate in any form.

Address the panel topic informally. We suggest developing an outline of thoughts or comments related to the panel subject for the 5-7 mintue commentary. Please do not simply read your comments to the audience. The panels are designed to be conversational and more focused on the Q & A portion between the audience and panelists.

You will have up to 5-7 minutes to present your comments. Please be courteous to the other panelists, and to the audience as a whole, by confining your comments to the allotted time. This allows for a quick perspective by each speaker and then move on to the audience questions. The moderator will indicate when each panelist’s time is almost up.

It is important that panel speakers are comfortable and confident as they prepare to participate in their assigned conference session. Please feel free to contact the conference coordinators at any time. Contact Stacey Trewatha-Bach at StaceyTrewatha@MissouriState.edu or office phone at 417-836-8832 or cell 417-860-9312.