You’ll want your event to be high quality and one-of-a-kind. What will make it so? Surely, you’ll want it to be a cut above the rest instead of just being “good”.

In this case, you should plan it accordingly. With more thought, know-how and effort. You ought to be particularly mindful of the seating arrangement- which is a make-or-break factor in a successful event.

What is the nature or the purpose of your event? The right seating arrangement should be considered, and as a corporate planner, you have to give it a priority. You’ll want your guests or attendees to be comfortable and have the best experience.

The Best Seating Arrangement For An Event: Factors To Consider

Is your event a meeting, a conference or an exhibit? You have to choose the best type of seating arrangement for it. You have to go for what’s apt and functional, and not simply what is most convenient. By all means, your attendees should get the most out of the occasion. On your part, as an event planner, you have to be more calculated pertaining to this.

What Is The Purpose Of Your Event?

The best outcomes should be obtained from your event. In that, it is fit for its purpose. This is when the right seating arrangement becomes crucial- so that it complements the objectives of the gathering.

What are your guests supposed to do? Are they expected to discuss matters with each other, or should they work in groups? Or maybe you’ll want to create merely a relaxed dining experience?

Keeping these questions in mind, you can then mull over the best type of seating arrangement for the event.

How Many Guests Are You Expecting?

To be able to prepare the right arrangement of the seats, you must be aware of the number of attendees. Take this into account along with the size and the capacity of the venue. Take note that there are apt seating arrangements for bigger groups, and there are those most suitable for smaller groups.

Get a rough attendance for the event by sending out invitations and requesting a response.

 

What Is The Size Of The Venue?

This factor is important to determine the type of seating arrangement. The number of guests that you are expecting impacts how big or small your venue should be. Along with this is the style, purpose and structure of your event. See what fits, and is most ideal.

What Are The Different Types Of Seating Arrangements For An Event?

Types Of Seating Arrangements For Exhibitions

Individual tables are prepared, where each can accommodate 4 to 8 guests. This arrangement is the same as you would see at a wedding dinner. The advantage of this is that the attendees sitting at the same table can talk to each other easily. This is beneficial in terms of establishing rapport between groups in the event.

The drawbacks? Interaction can become limited only to people sitting at one table, and fostering separate groups to form.

It is likely that food will be served on a banquet seating, that’s why it is perfect for events like an awards night.

Eating and socializing with this type of seating is communal, mainly because long banquet-style tables and chairs are arranged. The perks of this are that it looks appealing in pictures, and the atmosphere it induces is relaxed and less formal.

As for the disadvantages, it hampers opportunities for networking, and it would be a struggle to see people who are on the other end of the room or table.

The family seating arrangement has become more popular in recent years. It is suitable for weddings, especially because of its communal feel. Likewise, it is a great choice for a gala night, an awards night and similar occasions.

Although somewhat similar, the cabaret-style seating is more compact than the banquet seating arrangement. If you want to create an atmosphere that’s the same as that of the banquet seating, but you have a fewer number of attendees, then this is appropriate.

As an advantage, this seating creates a more relaxed ambience. It is a fantastic option for formal occasions as well as celebrations. The downside is that the guests are not able to socialize with people at other tables.

Since there are likely to be extra tables than chairs, you’ll be able to accommodate only a limited number of guests.

This style of seating arrangement is conducive for awards nights, workshops, and comedy nights, among others.

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This is when there are multiple rows of tables and chairs arranged horizontally. The purpose of this is to allow attendees to face a focal point in front, such as the speaker. The advantages of this preparation are that it makes meetings, seminars and workshops effective, and it is conducive to note-taking when needed.

As for disadvantages, though, attendees will not be able to naturally interact with each other, and this seating plan is only suitable and limited for use for training, seminars and meetings.

If you’re planning for an event that’s speaker-led or that is a presentation, you can utilize this seating arrangement. It is basically because all the attendees focus their attention in the front of the room. It is possible to skip placing desks (just chairs), but it will create difficulties for guests who want to take notes on paper and pencil or their laptops.

One long table is arranged in the centre of a smaller room. Guests sit on both sides of the table, with one front end of the room serving as a presentation area. As a perk, this seating is similar to that of the classroom type, but it is suitable only for a smaller room. Sharing the same table, this style encourages discussions.

The cons, however, is that longer meetings make this seating arrangement rather intense. As they share the same table, the guests may feel cramped during the event.

Presentations for a small group of people are best held in a boardroom seating-arranged room. As the speaker conducts the event, attendees can take down notes and elicit discussions, which is easier than in classroom-style seating.

Conclusion

These are the basic styles of seating arrangements for respective events, and you can choose what works best to achieve your purpose.

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