Tips for moderating a panel discussion: Optimum number of panelists?
4-6 sounds right, but you have to have a good moderator.
Don't let them ramble for 10 minutes, or you will burn all time on the intro.
Prepare good questions, slightly controversial or provocative is ok, but don't force them to become defensive, that's no fun, this is not &quot;The Weakest Link&quot; (a show where more and more  &quot;weak&quot; candidates are dismissed, usually condescendingly, from the selection)
You may want to try out the topic with your organizers and see how it works. Practice the moderation and the transitions and how you will handle the audience. Ramblers are not exclusively on the panel.