break-out session

[unpakwon]

What's the meaning of "break-out session" in the following?

They spent two days getting reacquainted and learning from one another. Beyond the dinners and receptions, there were keynote speakers, panels, and break-out sessions.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Anglika]

Basically sessions in which the discussion is free-ranging and brain-storming.

 

[BobK]

Basically sessions in which the discussion is free-ranging :up: and brain-storming.:up:

...and also, in my experience, they involve fewer people. In a training context, say, there might be an audience of thirty for a 20 min. presentation, and then there would be five or six break-out sessions where smaller groups discuss the issues with reference to their own experience. Then the groups all come together again, report back, share different views/perspectives.

b