Jasmin Wölke moderates panel discussions in Leipzig in English and German: expert panels at congresses in the Congress Center Leipzig, discussion rounds at the KONGRESSHALLE am Zoo, conversations on trade fair stages. She leads the round so that it ends with more than the lowest common denominator.
Where Leipzig debates
Leipzig debates in very different places. Associations and professional societies bring their panels to the Congress Center Leipzig right at the exhibition grounds, while the KONGRESSHALLE am Zoo offers a historic setting. Then there are the stages of the Leipzig trade fairs, and they could hardly be more different from each other: at OTWorld the audience is made up of international trade visitors who test every statement against their own practice. At the Book Fair a broad public listens, one that brings no jargon but a fine ear for evasive answers. And because the energy exchange EEX is based in the city and industry, logistics and the creative sector are growing side by side, Leipzig panels often carry topics with real potential for conflict: growth, energy, change. A round that only exchanges polite prepared statements disappoints both audiences.
Preparation: finding the points of friction
Jasmin prepares every round with individual calls. She asks each guest not only about their own position but also where, in their view, the others get it wrong. From these answers she builds the dramaturgy: an opening that jumps straight into the topic, blocks with clear transitions, a closing that captures results instead of generalities. On stage she watches the speaking shares, interrupts monologues in a friendly way and brings the room in at exactly the moments where a question genuinely moves the conversation forward. She regularly leads stage conversations with executives, for example at the SAP Tech Leadership Forum, a company reference where she moderated panels and Q&A sessions in English.
Casting and language
On casting, Jasmin advises on the mix: a good Leipzig round needs positions that are allowed to contradict each other, not the largest possible number of titles. Three guests with a clear edge produce more conversation than six who politely confirm one another. If the panel runs in front of an international audience, she moderates in English or in a guided mix and briefly secures key statements in the other language. For planning, a look at the city calendar pays off: in fair weeks and in December, venues and hotels are booked early.
Enquiry for your panel in Leipzig
From Ludwigsburg, Jasmin travels by ICE via Erfurt, a good four hours; for morning panels she arrives the day before. For a quote, send topic, date and planned line-up through the contact form. Practical tips are collected on moderating a panel, the format is described on panel discussion moderator, and other formats in the city on Moderatorin Leipzig.