Fan Expo Portland: When Live Panels Become Live Performance

My first job of the year was moderating panels at Fan Expo Portland, and a standout moment was hosting two nights back-to-back of The Lord of the Rings 25th anniversary experiment - an exclusive ticketed live event featuring Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd.

Working as a live event host and panel moderator across both the US and UK markets, weekends like this reinforce something I’ve learned over years of experience: the most memorable panels aren’t just conversations - they’re shows.

The best live panels combine preparation, instinct, and play. They allow space for genuine connection, audience energy, and spontaneity, while still being carefully guided. That balance is what turns standard Q&As into live experiences people actually remember.

Live events thrive when panels are treated as performances, not filler. When the focus is on serving the audience and creating something dynamic in the room, the result is content that resonates long after the lights go down.

As live entertainment continues to evolve in 2026 and beyond, connection, community, and shared experience remain the real value - and always will.