What Are the Different Types of Seating Arrangements That Exist Today?

If you work in the event industry, you know the importance of seating arrangements when hosting events. It’s crucial to have your guests seated in a way that will be best suited to what they need to do during that time.

In this guide, we’ll go over the types of seating arrangements you might use when planning an event, so read on to find out how you can plan the perfect event with the best seating arrangements!

Auditorium-Style Seating

Auditorium seating involves many rows of chairs set up all facing the same direction, towards the speaker or the front of the room. This is best for large presentations or conventions where guests may need to get up often, and don’t need to take any notes.

Chevron seating is like the auditorium style, except that the chairs are lined up in columns that are angled toward the speaker. This makes it easier for audience members in the back to see.

Classroom Seating

Classroom-style seating is an arrangement with tables and chairs all set up facing the front of the room or main speaker. This is the best option for smaller groups, or if your guests will need to take notes.

Another style of classroom seating, known as herringbone seating, is with the tables at an angle instead of facing straight forward. This helps guests at the back and sides of the room to see the speaker more clearly.

Banquet Seating

Banquet seating is perfect for dinner parties, banquets, and other events where food will be served. Six to eight chairs are spaced evenly around round tables throughout the room. The downside to this is that if there is a speaker, many guests will need to turn their chairs around to see.

One alternative form of banquet seating is the cabaret seating arrangement. This layout has fewer chairs around each round table, all facing the front of the room in a semi-circle. This solves the problem where guests facing the other direction could not see the speaker, but maintains the closeness of sitting and talking together with others.

Board Room Style Seating

Board room style seating arrangements such as a hollow square or long VIP table get all your guests facing each other. The hollow square offers more space and less of a central speaker area, whereas the VIP table offers a commanding presence for a speaker.

U-shaped seating arrangements, either with or without tables, will allow guests can see each other while also facing the front of a room. All these arrangements are great for open group discussions.

Chair Set-up

The type of chair you’ll use for your guests will depend on the type of event you’re hosting, and how formal you want it to be. Check out this buyers guide for folding chairs to see which types of chairs will work best for your event.

Use Various Types of Seating Arrangements

When planning an event, be sure to use the types of seating arrangements that are best for different situations, and don’t be afraid to change things up between meetings to get the best results.

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