12 Alternatives to Traditional Seating for Meetings and Events

It doesn't always have to be banquet chairs for meetings and events. Check out 12 alternative ideas for your next event.



EIBTM
For one of the sessions at EIBTM, the Global Meetings and Events Expo, attendees sat on large red stability balls. The event took place in November in Barcelona.

Photo: Courtesy of EIBTM



Sapphire Now
In the new networking area at Sapphire Now in June in Orlando, guests could choose from seating options such as wooden pallets, leather cubes, and cadrboard cubes, which were strong enough to sit on but light and easy to move.

Photo: Eventrix AG/SAP



Social Media Week London
At Social Media Week London in September, shipping crates became “Skypepods.” Each unit was equipped with Microsoft products and enabled with Skype so attendees could get work done or chat with colleagues online.

Photo: Dave Bird


Web Summmit
Pallet chairs from Dublin company This Is What We Do were one of the seating options in the Media Village at Web Summit in November 2014.

Photo: Naoise Culhane/Sportsfile/Web Summit


Web Summit
On Web Summit’s Pitch stages—site of the event’s start-up competitions—organizers used upcycled chairs made from chipboard.

Photo: Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile/Web Summit



TEDxSomerville
Guests reclined on large pillow chairs from Yogibo at TEDxSomerville, held at the Brooklyn Boulders indoor rock climbing facility in the Boston suburb in March 2014.

Photo: Patrick Rogers



Sibos
Inflatable chairs, beanbags, and traditional tables gave attendees seating choices at Sibos in Boston in September. The options reflected the theme of innovation for all the sessions that took place in the room.

Photo: Sean Ebsworth Barnes


C2 Montréal
At C2 Montréal in May, organizers used custom furniture pieces that were designed to facilitate conversations. Overall there were fewer chairs than people to encourage mingling.

Photo: Beth Kormanik/BizBash



C2 Montréal
The outdoor sponsor lounges at C2 Montréal were set up in shipping containers and decorated with soft, colorful seating.

Photo: Beth Kormanik/BizBash



TEDxKalamata
TEDxKalamata hosted its event in Greece’s ancient Theatre of Messini, taking advantage of the amphitheater’s unique atmosphere and seating.

Photo: Courtesy of TEDxKalamata


Cisco Live
At Cisco Live in San Francisco in May, attendees reclined on beanbag gaming chairs in the halls of the Moscone Center to watch keynotes, do work, and take breaks. Organizers said they chose this style chair as an "edgier but still functional" alternative to traditional beanbags.

Photo: Steve Maller Photography



Cisco Live
Guests had two options for lunch at Cisco Live: they could sit outside in the Yerba Buena Gardens on Cisco-branded blankets or at round tables, or they could eat inside the Moscone Center where organizers used picnic tables and Astroturf to create a park-like feel.

Photo: Mitra Sorrells/BizBash

Source: BizBash