symposium; round-table discussion; panel discussion
A gathering where several people discuss a topic in front of an audience, often with a moderator. Common in academic, business, and media contexts.
We held a symposium on environmental issues with invited experts.
At the round-table discussion, participants freely exchanged opinions.
The publisher held a round-table discussion about the new book.
He attended the panel discussion as an expert.
They held a round-table discussion inviting a famous author.
They discussed the future of education at the round-table discussion.