Takes up more floor space per person than rounds.

All guests will face in the same direction if there is a speaker or entertainment.

More guests can be accommodated on the same table.

This can be overcome by removing 2 seats.

For functions that feature a guest speaker, some attendees will have their backs turned to the stage.

Avoids discomfort when legs get in the way.

Allows table partners to converse without having to strain their neck.

Rounds typically offer the largest seating capacity.

Seating with round tables will cater for up to 12 at a table. Remember you may need to provide space for a stage, dance floor, maybe a band or DJ and food stations. If you are highlighting your event with a Gala Dinner, a formal meal, then your best option will probably be a round table setup. This could mean only sitting around three of the four sides of a table.

If a projector is being used, chairs must be strategically placed to allow all guests to have a clear view.

Difficult to break-off and work in smaller groups.

Having everyone seated at the one table implies equality amongst all in attendance.

Everyone is sharing the one table space, conducive to completing shared tasks.Favourable for discussions between all attendees in the group.Often, the facilitator/presenter is seated with guests at the board table, rather than standing at the front of the room. Guests are seated around all four sides of a long, elongated table. Strategically placing aisles around the room to aid access can be tricky.Guests may associate the set up with being back at school, and therefore feel spoken to, rather than part of an open discussion.Difficult to work in groups, with guests largely confined to their seating rows.A fairly good layout for maximising conference room floor space.All seats are facing the front of the conference room.Chairs are then positioned behind the tables, facing the front. Tables are configured in rows across the conference room, perpendicular to the presenter at the front of the room. Can sometimes be an inefficient use of floor space, with seating capacity reduced by the many tables.If seats are set around all sides of a table, some guests will have their backs to the front of the room.

Using tables of different sizes allows for the layout to be customised for your event numbers and how many people you would like to a group.If set ‘cabaret’ style, all attendees are facing the front of the conference room.Great for both listening to presentations and working in teams.Tables (can be round or rectangular) are arranged purposefully around the room. Some audience members will be seated slightly side-on with the presentation.

Valuable conference room space is often lost in the centre of the ‘U’, impacting how many guests can be seated in the conference room.

Allows for open dialogue amongst attendees whilst they’re seated at the tables.

Presenters can walk through the open space within the ‘U’ to engage with attendees.

All guests are still able to easily view the front of the room.

Tables & chairs are arranged in an open ended ‘U’ shape configuration, with the audience facing inwards.

Little flexibility to move around the room, with guests largely confined to their seats.

One-to-many communication, which isn’t helpful for teamwork or dialogue.

Clear status distinction between attendees and speakers (could also be a ‘con’).

Allows for the maximum seated capacity to be achieved.Great for sessions where all of the action is at the front of the room.There is typically an aisle running from the back to the front of the room, allowing guests easier access to their seats. Involves rows of chairs facing the front of the room, with no tables. Popular conference room seating style layouts include: Theatre Style Seating the layout of your conference room matters. The seating arrangement has a direct impact on the way communication is conducted, and influences the dynamics of relationships between attendees. The way tables, chairs, and other furniture is configured in the conference room is often an afterthought for conference planners, but more importance should be placed on the meeting room layout.

Focalpoint phone confrence