Corporate Event Hire: A Full Equipment Checklist

<p>Organising a corporate event requires precise logistical planning to maintain professional standards. This guide provides a practical checklist for corporate event hire, covering the essential equipment needed for conferences, dinners, awards ceremonies, and exhibitions.</p>

Corporate Event Hire: A Full Equipment Checklist

Organising a corporate event requires precise logistical planning to maintain professional standards. This guide provides a practical checklist for corporate event hire, covering the essential equipment needed for conferences, dinners, awards ceremonies, and exhibitions.

Conference and Meeting Setup

The layout of a conference room dictates the flow of the day. For presentations, choose furniture that allows delegates to focus on the speaker while providing enough space for laptops and notebooks.

Seating and Tables

For theatre-style setups, lightweight chairs are the standard choice. If the event involves workshops or breakout sessions, consider trestle tables or round tables to facilitate group work.

Presentation Equipment

Clear communication is the priority in any corporate setting. Ensure you have the necessary hardware to support your speakers.

  • Flipcharts for brainstorming sessions.
  • Projector screens for visual aids.
  • Lecterns for keynote speakers.

Catering Equipment for Corporate Functions

The scale of your catering operation depends on the number of attendees and the type of food served. Whether providing a simple lunch or a formal three-course dinner, the right equipment is necessary for service efficiency.

Kitchen and Service Requirements

If your venue lacks a full kitchen, you must hire equipment to keep food at the correct temperature and assist with service.

  • Hot cupboards and ovens for food storage.
  • Catering equipment hire including bain-maries for buffets.
  • Serving platters and gastronorm pans.

Coffee and Refreshments

Coffee breaks are a staple of corporate conferences. Providing high-quality coffee machines reduces queues and keeps delegates refreshed.

  • Commercial coffee machines.
  • Hot water urns for tea service.
  • Insulated beverage dispensers.

Tableware: Glassware, Crockery, and Linen

For formal dinners and awards ceremonies, the presentation of the table reflects the company brand. Consistency in your choice of tableware is vital for a professional appearance.

Glassware and Crockery

Select glassware based on the drinks menu. A standard dinner service requires water tumblers, wine glasses, and champagne flutes for toasts.

  • Glassware hire including wine, beer, and spirit glasses.
  • Crockery sets including dinner plates, side plates, and bowls.
  • Cutlery sets matching the theme of the event.

Linen and Table Presentation

Tablecloths and napkins provide a clean base for your table settings. Select colours that align with corporate branding.

Exhibition and Trade Show Equipment

Exhibitions require a different approach to furniture. The goal is to encourage interaction while maintaining a professional environment for networking.

Stand Furniture

Exhibition stands need to be functional. High-top tables and stools are effective for short meetings, while low-level seating is better for longer conversations.

  • Poseur tables for standing networking.
  • Stools that match the height of your tables.
  • Literature racks for brochures and marketing materials.

Display and Signage

Clear signage helps attendees navigate the exhibition space. Use stands and easels to display company information and directional signage.

Logistics and Delivery Planning

Corporate event hire requires strict adherence to schedules. When booking equipment, confirm delivery and collection windows with your venue.

Site Access

Check the venue for loading bays, lift dimensions, and stair access. Ensure that the delivery team has clear instructions on where to drop off the equipment.

Quantities and Buffers

Always order a small buffer of extra equipment. A few additional chairs or glasses can prevent issues if attendee numbers increase or items are damaged during setup.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I book corporate equipment?

Book as soon as your venue and dates are confirmed. Popular items, especially during peak conference seasons, can be reserved months in advance.

Do I need to wash the crockery and glassware before returning it?

No. Expo Hire provides a return-dirty service. Simply scrape food waste from plates and empty liquids from glasses before repacking them into the provided crates.

What happens if equipment is damaged during the event?

Damages or losses are charged at replacement cost. We recommend keeping an inventory list during the event to track all items delivered to the site.

Can you deliver to venues without loading bays?

Yes, but please inform us of any site constraints during the booking process. We need to know about stairs, narrow doorways, or restricted parking to ensure we send the correct transport and staffing levels.

Related guides

What our customers say
Save the Date
Enter the dates and postcode of your event to view personalised pricing and stock availability
Upcoming Events
UK Rail 2026
The NEC
13 - 14 May 2026
BIBA Conference
Manchester Central
13 - 14 May 2026
FD Show
ExCeL London
13 May 2026

Order Online Today

Choose from our vast range of catering hire, furniture hire and exhibition hire products. Select from the categories listed below or use our great search function above.

Stock levels and availability are checked real time so you can order with confidence.

x x