Business leaders are often invited to feature on roundtables to give expert advice and discuss a specific topic with industry peers. You may have seen trade, or regional business titles covering the outcomes of roundtables, or even been invited to one yourself. But what exactly is a roundtable discussion, and why should you get involved? 

Let’s take a look at what a roundtable is, and how you can make the most of taking part in one.  

What is a roundtable discussion?

Put simply, a roundtable is a group discussion centered around one key theme or relevant industry issue discussed by a group of participants who are experts in the subject. The roundtable will have one person to lead conversation, ask questions and give prompts to those taking part.  

Compared to a panel discussion, which generally involves a much more considered presentation of ideas to an audience, a roundtable is a much smaller, intimate chance to interact and thoroughly discuss ideas. This results in a more collaborative meeting where everyone is encouraged to share knowledge and ideas to inform the discussion and its outcomes.  

What are the benefits of participating in a roundtable discussion? 

There are a number of benefits to taking part in a roundtable discussion. Roundtables offer a great opportunity to share insights, provide commentary on pressing issues, and position yourself as a thought leader in your field. They also give you the chance to network and build relationships with other participants and relevant stakeholders. 

Sharing valuable knowledge

As an expert in your field, a roundtable discussion gives you the chance to share your unique insights on a specific topic of interest. The discussion topic will be shared prior to the event so you can prepare your thoughts, and any topical issues you’d like to raise, ahead of time. Contributing your own personal insights is invaluable for industry peers as it can offer a unique perspective and create relevant talking points within the roundtable discussion.  

Position you as a thought leader

Putting yourself out there and taking part in relevant roundtables can go a long way towards establishing your personal brand, and becoming known in your industry as a thought leader. The more appearances you make, coupled with valuable and insightful contributions, the more likely people are to remember you! This in turn can naturally open up further industry-relevant PR opportunities, and also give you credibility so people will be more likely to think of you, and pick you, when needing services. Some roundtables are sponsored by a media partner, which means the insights discussed will have guaranteed coverage..  

Network with industry professionals

Another benefit of roundtable participation is that you get to meet industry professionals that you may otherwise not cross paths with. Participant numbers in a roundtable tend to be small, usually less than 10 people, so it gives you the chance to have more in-depth conversations, helping build more meaningful relationships with peers and other industry leaders. 

Our top tips for roundtable speakers

There are plenty of benefits to taking part in a roundtable but, once you’ve been invited to take part in one, what’s the next steps? Here’s our advice on how to prepare for a roundtable discussion: 

1. Plan your talking points ahead of the event 

There’s nothing more anxiety-inducing than turning up to a speaking event with nothing to say! Once you’ve confirmed attendance, use the time ahead of the roundtable to bolster your own knowledge with research. For example, try researching some evidence-driven talking points, including recent data or case studies, to bring to the roundtable and show both your skills and credibility.  

2. Get to know the other participants 

Having some background information about who your fellow roundtable participants are will help tailor your input and the outcomes of the discussion. Knowing their job role, their specialism, and what industry they work in before you start the discussion can be helpful in guiding what questions you might ask, or help you anticipate if they will have a contrasting view to you that you can then discuss during the roundtable meeting.   

3. Maximise your visibility 

Being part of a roundtable is an exciting opportunity in itself, but you can further the momentum and leverage the event to increase your brand visibility. Try writing about the event – before and after – on your LinkedIn page to let your network know you are attending or to talk about your learnings from the discussion, or creating a blog post about the discussion points featured in the roundtable. This helps boost your visibility and position yourself as an engaged thought leader beyond the event itself.  

Would you like to be involved in a roundtable discussion, or do you need help preparing for one? Get in touch with the team today on hello@pearl-comms.com and we can help!