The layout of your meeting room plays a huge role in the success of your event. There are many layouts to choose from when organising your meeting, and it’s best to plan for which one will best suit your session. Some layouts are great for active learning and engaging your attendees, and others are best for independent work and focus.
Here are 5 of the most common meeting room layouts and how they can best help your meeting.
1. Boardroom
Boardroom is the classic meeting room layout and the one you’re most likely used to seeing. This simple style involves a table or number of tables in the centre of the room, surrounded by chairs on all sides. This type of layout is more suited to a smaller group of attendees, rather than a large conference of people.
Where group discussions are involved, the boardroom layout is ideal. Sitting next to or across from one another, your attendees can keep eye contact and open body language throughout your meeting. You may want to use the boardroom layout for a focus group, workshops or board meeting.
2. Horseshoe
The horseshoe involves tables laid out in a horseshoe, or U-shape, with chairs placed around the outside of the tables. This style is also suited to a smaller group of people, for example up to 30 attendees.
The horseshoe is a great layout for video conferencing, presentations, or demonstrations. All participants can face the front of the room and focus on the speaker, without having to turn around or disrupt other peoples’ view. As all attendees are facing one another, the horseshoe also aids open discussions with the wider group.
3. Theatre
Picture theatre style as it sounds – rows of seats all facing forward, whether it’s facing a stage, screen or speaker. Theatre layout is typically seen in large conferences, where there are hundreds of people involved in a session, all required to look or listen to something at the front of the room.
This layout isn’t recommended for group discussions and workshops, as it doesn’t allow participants to speak with each other face to face or engage in an interactive session. Theatre style is great for question-and-answer sessions, watching a video or presentation, watching a panel discussion or listening to a keynote speaker.
4. Banquet
Banquet style is what you’d typically expect at a wedding or catered event. This layout involves lots of individual circular or rectangular tables with chairs surrounding the table. Depending on the size of your meeting room, banquet-style can seat many people while keeping an intimate setting.
You may want to use a banquet layout if your meeting or conference involves breakout sessions or teams of people. This way, participants can engage with the speaker or presentation, and still discuss and work closely with the people on their individual table. Banquet style also allows attendees to move freely between other tables if you’re required to share work or swap groups.
5. Classroom
The classroom meeting room is exactly how you imagine it – the classic school layout. Rows of separate tables with chairs face the front of the room. This type of meeting room layout is great for presentations or workshops, where participants must take lots of notes, use their laptops or take part in other activities.
The classroom layout also allows the speaker to move between tables, while keeping attention and interacting with the audience. If you want the speaker or presentation to be the focal point of the meeting, this might be the layout for you.
Book meeting rooms in London at E10
Whichever meeting room layout you choose, E10 can take care of all your requirements. Our expert events team works closely with you to make sure your meeting or conference is set up perfectly for your participants’ arrival. We provide furniture, AV equipment and catering, so your meeting can run smoothly and successfully.
Get in touch with us to discuss your meeting requirements.
