Seating styles simplified: Choosing the perfect layout for your meetings and events

When planning a meeting or event, whether it’s a business lunch or large-scale conference, one of the most critical decisions is selecting the right seating arrangement.

Getting it right will give you the platform to deliver your message to your audience in the most powerful way; setting the tone, facilitating interactions and ultimately helping you achieve your objectives.

We’ve supported countless meetings and events, so we’ve seen first-hand how the right setup can transform a space. To make your planning easier, we’ve created a handy guide to the most popular seating styles, their benefits, limitations, and some top tips to help you make the right choice. Plus, we’ll share how our MeetingsPro technology can streamline the process of planning and managing your bookings.

Boardroom Style

Description: One large rectangular table with attendees seated along the sides.

• ‍Benefits: Ideal for smaller meetings and team discussions. This inward-facing layout encourages open debate and discussion and ensures everyone has an equal voice, with all attendees able to get involved. Plus, this layout provides an opportunity for a focal point at the end of the table if needed.
• ‍Disadvantages: A single focal point can make it challenging for those seated further away to engage fully.
• ‍Tips: Position the leader of the meeting at the head of the table to provide greater authority and clarity to their ability to communicate with attendees.

Classroom Style

Description: Rows of tables with forward-facing chairs on one side.

• Benefits: Perfect for presentations, training sessions and lectures. With every seat facing forwards, delegates have space for note-taking and a clear view of the presenter.
• Disadvantages: Reduces seating capacity compared to theatre-style layouts and limits interaction to immediate neighbours.
• Tips: Leave plenty of space for your delegates to access their tables. Nobody wants to have to awkwardly squeeze into place.

Banquet Style

Description: Individual round or rectangular tables with guests facing inwards.

• Benefits: The perfect layout for meals. No member of a table is preferred to another, and with everyone able to see each other it is easy for all to be involved in conversation.
• Disadvantages: It’s not the best option for an event where everyone’s attention is required in a certain area of the room as guests will need to twist round or move their chairs to be able to see properly.
• Tips: Avoid large centrepieces so guests on opposite sides of the table can chat.

U-Shape Style

Description: Tables and chairs arranged in the shape of a “U” with an open space at one end.

• Benefits: The open-ended layout leaves room for a clear presentation area or focal point. The U-shape keeps audience interaction high as everyone is facing towards the centre, and the tables make it easy for delegates to take notes.
• Disadvantages: It’s quite an inefficient use of floor space and the majority of your audience will be sat side-on to the presentation area.
• Tips: If your event features a presentation, encourage your host to move inside the U as much as possible to encourage audience participation and to keep them as visible as possible.

Reception Style

Description: Standing-only arrangement with no seating.

• Benefits: Audience can network freely mingling and roaming. It also offers the maximum room capacity and most efficient use of space.
• Disadvantages: Standing only - no opportunity to sit or rest. Not suitable for formal dining but ideal for bowl food, canapes and drinks.
• Tips: Scattering a few high tables around your space with random chairs and stools encourages social interaction.

Theatre Style

Description: Rows of side-by-side seating facing a focal point, often with an aisle down the middle.

• Benefits: This is a fantastic option for when you need to fit a lot of delegates into one space. Every seat faces forwards, which makes it ideal for events that have a main focal point like a presentation or a product launch.
• Disadvantages: If you’re working with large numbers then visibility can become a problem for those sitting at the back. Theatre seating can also limit your attendees’ ability to interact with other delegates. People will also need to squeeze past each other to get out and serving food or drink is near impossible.
• Tips: Don’t fall into the trap of trying to squeeze too many people into a small space, you still want your delegates to be comfortable and for it to be easy for them to get into their seats.

Cabaret Style

Description: Similar to banquet seating, but tables are open-ended and face a focal point.

• Benefits: This is a great way to balance the ability to view a live event or presentation with the ability to talk about it with the rest of your table.
• Disadvantages: An open-ended table might be great for your guests’ live experience, but it’s an inefficient use of floor space. Plus, guests at the end of the table may feel left out of conversations.
• Tips: Make sure the gap you leave in the chairs is large enough so that no one has their back to the front of the room.

How MeetingsPro makes planning meetings and events easier

Planning seating arrangements can be time-consuming and stressful, but MeetingsPro simplifies every step. From choosing room layouts and comparing venue options to ensuring compliance with safety regulations and budgetary constraints, our technology ensures nothing gets overlooked.

Whether you’re hosting a training session, gala dinner or board meeting, MeetingsPro gives you the tools to deliver meetings and conferences that meet your objectives. Ready to see it in action? Contact our team today to book a demo and learn more!