How to choose the right seating layout for your audience
You probably have all the details of your presentation at your fingertips and your audience has confirmed their attendance. Your venue is set and ready but have you considered the seating structure for your audience?
The success of your presentation or public speaking gig highly depends on your audiences’ seating position. You have to ensure that your audience is comfortably seated and that they will have a clear view of the presenter or you will have lost them before you start. So, how do you choose a room layout?
Seating layouts depend on different variables which include; • Room size • Size of the audience • The expected level of activity and interaction When considering the seating layout for the people who will be listening to you, you need to ask yourself these simple but important questions; a. Will everyone be able to see the presenter and the visual aids they will be using? b. Are the chairs comfortable and suitable for the length of the sessions you will be having? Is there a mechanism to hold drinks or for writing material and a laptop? c. Have you factored in special seating for people with special mobility, hearing or visual needs? Answering those questions will greatly help in determining the kind of seating that you will lay out for the audience. The other factor to consider is the size of the group you will be talking to. Here are some tips on how to arrange the audience according to the size of the group. Seating for larger audiences 1. Theatre ‘Lecture seating’ or a long line of chairs in a row facing the stage and aisles in the middle of the room and on each side of the room will do well for a large group. This is also good for non-interactive meetings where people only listen. 2. Herringbone/Chevron This style has the tables and chairs arranged in consequent rows but at a slanting gradient towards the center. The audience can use the tables to take notes or to place their gadgets and refreshments. Seating arrangement for smaller groups 1. U shape This has tables and chairs in a Ushape. The audiencefaces inwards and is ideal for group discussions where the audience can interact with one another and with the audience. 2. Hollow square The Hollow Square has the audience seating on four sides forming a square or rectangle and facing inwards. This is also perfect for panel meetings and group discussions. 3. Horse Shoe The horse shoe is quite similar to the U shaped arrangement but now without the tables. The presenter can interact with each person, and it is a good arrangement for instruction sessions and small presentations. Seating arrangement for a tiny group 1. Boardroom The boardroom arrangement is the most ideal for tiny groups. Chairs are arranged along a long table. This allows for interaction, but the presentation is restricted to one end of the table. Boardroom arrangements are ideal for team briefing, managerial meetings and client meetings. Conclusion Semi-circular arrangements work well for interactive sessions. Avoid using narrow and long rooms since they take away from the comfort of the listener. Placing seats next to the wall may make the audience feel somewhat claustrophobic. For more information about various seating structures visit http://audise.co.uk/.











