Streaming panel discussions is an effective way to involve viewers outside the trade fair. Trade fairs are meeting points for the industry. Specialists from practice and theory meet, exchange ideas and discuss trends, the direction of the industry and future developments.
In future, why not let people who are not at the trade fair take part in the discussions by organizing a livestream? A panel discussion usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes and usually consists of four or five participants. The experts typically sit at a large table, stand at a counter or sit in a furnished round table. For many entrepreneurs, it is of great interest to place their advocates in a discussion round with a wide reach. With a live broadcast, an extended target group can also follow the discussion via the Internet or take part in it live.
Technical implementation of a panel discussion in the livestream
Technically, a panel discussion via livestream can be realized with a “classic” three-camera setting. One camera films the entire setting as a long shot, while two cameras from the left and right capture the active speakers. Through the use of pan-tilt-zoom cameras it is possible to broadcast a panel discussion at a trade fair with just three technicians. While one technician is responsible for mixing the images, PowerPoint and the video clips, the second takes care of transmitting the stream and controlling the three cameras. The third colleague, on the other hand, mixes the sound for the stream and the audience on site. Explicit camera operators are required due to the use of PTZ cameras
Thanks to predefined camera angles and zoom settings, image changes can be made extremely quickly and with consistent quality. Headset microphones on the speakers ensure optimum sound and reduce the risk of incorrect operation by the speaker (e.g. if a speaker turns away from a gooseneck microphone).
Questions from the chat can be played out to the moderator of the round on a tablet so that no valuable question remains unanswered. Overlays such as belly bands and references to the speakers help viewers to follow the discussion.
Another advantage of broadcasting a discussion via livestream from a trade fair is that not all experts necessarily have to travel. Participants can be connected from their office or any other location. To do this, a large TV is set up at the edge or in the middle, depending on the setting. The expert is then shown on this screen and thus becomes part of the discussion round. As an exhibitor, you are more likely to be able to attract very busy and popular experts for your discussion. If the expert has to travel to the trade fair, much more time is required than for a pure connection, which takes around an hour.
The trade fair is an ideal starting point for a panel discussion. With a live stream, you can also reach additional viewers in your target group. The collected film material can be used for other purposes. Create short clips from it and share them on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
