<p>Conference and exhibition furniture works on different numbers to a wedding or dinner. Here is how to plan seating and stand furniture by delegate count and floor space.</p>
<p>Conference and exhibition furniture works on different numbers to a wedding or dinner. Here is how to plan seating and stand furniture by delegate count and floor space.</p>
A wedding planner counts guests. An exhibition organiser counts square metres, dwell time and footfall. The furniture math is different, and getting it wrong on a stand costs you conversations, not just comfort.
Theatre-style seating fits roughly one conference chair per 0.6 square metres of floor, including aisle space. For 100 delegates you need around 60 square metres plus space for a stage and AV desk. Cabaret-style seating (round tables of 8-10) needs closer to 1.5 square metres per delegate once you allow for table spacing and access.
A 3x3m shell scheme stand rarely needs more than one poseur table and two stools. Add more seating and you invite visitors to sit down and stay, which slows footfall past your stand during a busy show. Larger space-only stands (6x6m or more) can support a small meeting area: one low table, two to four chairs, positioned away from the main aisle so it does not block passing traffic.
Registration desks need one reception desk and two chairs per 200 expected delegates in the first hour, when queues peak. Breakout networking areas work well with poseur tables rather than seated tables: standing conversations turn over faster, so fewer tables serve more people across the day.
Sessions delegates sit through for an hour need proper conference chairs with back support. Areas designed for five-minute conversations, stand meetings, coffee points, only need stools or poseur height seating. Putting lounge furniture in a five-minute-dwell area wastes both budget and floor space.
Confirm your numbers early for shows with fixed build-up windows. Exhibition halls often restrict delivery to a single build day, so a late change in chair count can mean a second, chargeable delivery slot rather than an easy top-up.
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.
