Conferences

Hire chairs, tables, staging and catering equipment for conferences, AGMs and training days across England and Wales, with live stock online.


Start Planning Your Event Today

Conference hire needs clear seating, working tables, registration furniture, breakout support and enough refreshment equipment to keep delegates moving on schedule.

The room does not need decoration to work. It needs the right seat count, sensible routes and support furniture in the right places.


Why hire from Expo Hire

  • Sunday delivery and collection available.
  • Live order tracking on every delivery and collection.
  • Every order confirmed before payment. No substitutions and no shortfalls.
  • No security deposit. No damage deposit. Standard hires do not carry either charge.
  • Free Minor Damage Waiver on every hire. Normal accidental breakages are covered.
  • One supplier for the full event order. Chairs, tables, catering equipment, glassware and linen from one place.
  • Live chat support seven days a week, 8am to 8pm.

Equipment for Conferences

Most jobs on this page start with chairs, tables and a clear service layout. The order then grows into the support stock that keeps guests, staff and suppliers moving in the same room or on the same site.

For most orders, the core links sit in Chair Hire, Table Hire, Catering Equipment Hire, Glassware Hire and Linen Hire. Outdoor formats often add stock from Outdoor Hire.

  • Conference chairs, desks and trestles for plenary and breakout rooms.
  • Registration desks, barriers and literature tables for check-in.
  • Coffee, water and buffet furniture for break periods.
  • Flip charts, side tables and storage for workshops and speakers.
  • Clear-glass or poseur tables for sponsors and networking.

The exact mix changes with guest numbers, service style and venue access. A standing launch needs more bar surfaces and fewer seats. A dinner, exam or conference needs stronger seating counts and more disciplined aisle space.

Live examples from this category


Quantities guide

Start with the busiest point of the day, not the quietest. Count who needs a seat, who only needs a standing surface and what support stock the service team needs at the same time.

Group sizePlanning guide
50 guests50 delegates often means 50 chairs or desks, 1 registration desk and 2 break tables
100 guests100 delegates often means 100 seats, 2 arrival points and more sponsor or networking surfaces
200 guests200 delegates often means 200 seats, several check-in desks and several break-service points

Cabaret layouts need more table surface per person.

Theatre layouts need less table stock but stronger break-time support.

These figures give you a planning baseline, not a fixed rule. The venue shape, the weather, the menu and the delivery route can all change the final count.


Planning considerations

Measure the main room and the break space as one plan.

Keep the staff route out of the delegate route.

Deliver refrigeration the day before so it can pre-cool for 6 to 8 hours.

Confirm power for hot holding and coffee equipment.

Support the schedule rather than packing in extra furniture.


How hire works

Standard hire runs for 3 days: delivery day, event day and collection day. That structure suits most event jobs because it gives you time to build, trade or host, then clear the stock without forcing everything into one shift.

Expo Hire delivers across England and Wales. Delivery starts from £40 ex-VAT and is calculated by distance from the nearest depot. Equipment arrives clean and tested. The service is dry hire, so your team, venue staff or caterer place the stock in final position after delivery.

Drivers do not set equipment up, connect gas or carry items up and down stairs. If the order includes refrigeration, ask for delivery the day before so the units can pre-cool for 6 to 8 hours. LPG equipment must be connected by a competent person. Fixed installations need a Gas Safe engineer. Many commercial catering items need a 16A or 32A supply rather than a standard 13A socket.


Ordering

Build the order online at expohire.com once the dates, quantities and venue details are ready. The basket shows live stock and pricing, so you can size the job around the real guest count or room plan rather than a rough estimate.

If you need help with quantities, carriage or specialist equipment, call 0800 910 1100 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. If the order needs sign-off before payment, use the basket as the base for an internal quote.

Add access notes, room names, hall numbers, stand details or site contacts before checkout.


FAQ

What equipment do people usually hire for conferences?

Most orders start with chairs, tables and service equipment, then add the extra stock that fits the format. That can include bars, glassware, linen, refrigeration, outdoor furniture or temporary kitchen equipment. The exact mix depends on guest numbers, service style and venue access.

How many tables and chairs do I need for conferences?

Start with the real guest count, then check how much of the event is seated and how much is standing. A drinks-led event needs fewer seats and more poseur or service tables. A dinner or exam setup needs a full seat count and clearer aisle space.

Can Expo Hire deliver for conferences in England and Wales?

Yes. Expo Hire delivers across England and Wales. Carriage starts from £40 ex-VAT and is calculated by distance from the nearest depot.

What should I check before ordering catering or refrigeration equipment?

Check power, gas responsibility and access before you place the order. Fridges and coolers should arrive the day before so they can pre-cool for 6 to 8 hours. LPG equipment must be connected by a competent person, and fixed installations need a Gas Safe engineer.

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