Moderation

What makes a good moderator for tech events?

A good moderator for tech events understands the topic well enough to ask the right questions, and translates technical depth so the whole room can follow. Jasmin Wölke moderates technology and AI formats in English and German, from expert conferences to product launches.

A good moderator for tech events understands the topic well enough to ask the right questions, and translates technical depth so the whole room can follow. Jasmin Wölke moderates technology and AI formats in English and German, from expert conferences to product launches.

Why tech audiences test you differently

In the rooms of technology and innovation companies sit people who built the product or are supposed to buy it tomorrow. Both groups check every statement instantly against their own knowledge. A moderation that strings buzzwords together loses this audience within minutes. What works is the opposite: terminology only when it is correct, follow up questions where an answer stays too smooth, and the confidence to ask for an abbreviation to be explained. The moderator does not have to be an engineer. She has to be prepared well enough that experts take her seriously and non experts are grateful to her.

The second job: translation

Tech events almost always have two audiences in the same room. Next to the engineers sit procurement, management, press or partners who want to follow the topic without living in the details. Good moderation builds the bridge: after a deep answer it extracts the one key message everyone takes home. Then there is the language question, because in tech teams English is often the working language. Jasmin moderates both languages in alternation, with the split fixed before the event. How that works in practice is shown on the bilingual moderation page.

An example from practice

At SAP's Tech Leadership Forum, Jasmin moderated eight expert panels and fireside chats entirely in English: two days, more than 300 executives, topic digital transformation. She led the Digital Transformation Conference as main host through three days with over 600 participants and 20 speakers. Behind this stand more than ten years at Bosch in international sales and marketing, meaning first hand experience of how technology companies talk and decide internally. More on that is on the moderator with corporate experience page.

How to choose well

Three steps help with the decision. First, check the references for real tech formats, not for show experience. Second, use the preliminary call to test whether the moderator asks questions about your product that go beyond the press release. Third, clarify the language split and the preparation of demos before the quote arrives. If you are planning a launch, the format is described on the product launch moderation page. Send your date through the contact form; briefing and a written quote follow.

Request a date

Is your date still available?

Send the date, the venue and the type of event. You will get an answer within one working day.

Frequently asked questions

Does the moderator have to come from the tech industry?
She does not need to write code. She needs enough understanding to ask the right questions and the discipline to work into product and audience. Corporate experience helps noticeably.
Does Jasmin also moderate AI conferences?
Yes, technology and artificial intelligence are among her core topics. She prepares with preliminary calls and her own research and has the team sharpen the terminology with her.
How does she prepare for a technical topic?
Through calls with speakers and the product team, studying the material and a question list the team reviews. On stage, only the resulting confidence remains visible.
Do tech events work better in English?
With international audiences often yes, many teams work in English anyway. With a mixed room Jasmin alternates between the languages without telling content twice.
What does a moderator for a tech event cost?
Scope, depth of preparation and duration set the frame. After the briefing you receive a written quote with every position listed separately and travel costs shown apart.

Related pages

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