How to Select the Best Event Seating Plan For Your Event

Which Event Seating Plan To Choose?

The theater style layout is used when the guests are purely an audience and little or no interaction is required. It is excellent for events with a large number of guests, but not a good selection if food is being served or if the audience will have to do extensive note taking.

When setting up for a theatre style there are a number of variations that can be applied to suit the needs of your event. Here are some options:

• Circular rows
• Semi-circular rows
• Straight rows
• Angled rows towards the events focal point
  Some other special features you can implement that can make a difference to your guests include the following:
• You can offset the rows from one another so that the guests will have a clear view of the focal point.
• Leave some room between each chair if banquet chairs are being used as these are typically narrower than the average person’s body.
• Allow for a minimum of 24 inches between the rows to make it easier for the guests to get in and get out of their rows.

You will only be able to implement these features if your venue has adequate space.

U-Shape Seating Layout – A series of conference tables are set-up to create the shape of the letter “U”. The chairs are then placed on the outside of the “U”. This is an excellent style when there are few guests and they have a focal point such as a screen or TV. This is commonly used for directors meetings, discussion groups, or other types of committee meetings.

This type of layout is excellent for groups of 25 or less and where note-taking and interaction may be required.

Classroom Style Seating – As you can see in the picture, there are rows of conference tables and the chairs that face one direction towards the front of the room.

This event seating style got its name because of its popularity in classrooms and test-taking situations. As a result, it is excellent for events in which a person will need to take notes, receive handouts, or use devises such as a laptop.

This is also a good layout if it’s a long event, such as a conference, because it allows the individual to have room for refreshments. However, this is not the best layout if interaction between guests is required.

Conference Style (also referred to as “Boardroom Style”) – Given the name, this event seating style is used a lot for board meetings and other committee meetings because it encourages interaction between the guests.

One table or a set of tables is combined to create one large table in the middle of the room with chairs around the sides and the ends. This is not a great set-up if there is a presentation because it can be difficult for the guests to have a good view.

Banquet Style Often used for weddings or gala dinners, this is an excellent option when food is being served. The caterers use round tables throughout the room with chairs around each table.

Keep in mind that some of the guests will have to turn their chairs in order to see the presentation or head table.

Festival Seating – this type of event seating allows attendees to select their own space in an open area. In these types of events, like open air theaters or music festivals, there are often no chairs provided or not enough chairs for the number of guests planning to attend.

General Admissions – often used at rock concerts, this type of event seating allows the guests to choose their seat and can be used for any of the seating styles listed above.

Reserved Seating – Here, you can either use a place card to assign guests’-their seat or you can provide the guest with a ticket to designate each chair to each of the participants or guests.<.p>

Now, I’d love to hear from you.

In the comments below, let me know which type of event seating plan you use the most and why.

I look forward to hearing from you!