I agree here needs to be some seating, esp for those without such able bodies or that wear skirts!
I guess seating hundreds of people in that area could be a bit tricky - but this would be handy thing to introduce.
Even rows of benches would be a bonus, if individual seating would be too cramped.
Just some seating would be good besides the inhouse seats. Just some to fill the wall areas and have it removed after lunch. Tables I find would be a major restriction in people moving around.
After sitting in a session I'm happy to stand for lunch. Some tall stands/tables would be great as informal gathering points. Stand around and chat but still have a spot to place plate and drinking glass.
Thinking laterally, what if the conference bag had fold-out legs that turned it into one of those little camping chairs?
That's an awesome idea Kevin!
last year we gave serious consideration to inflatable seating in the schwag bag.
As with so many things, the challenge is all about cost. Separate seating for lunch for the conference would come to the same price as one or even two international speakers!
But, we'll definitely look to address this is interesting ways - keep the suggestions coming!
I don't think a seated lunch would be a good idea, but fold out chairs, inflatable chairs or Rosemary's tall tables would work well I think. Seated lunches stifle networking and conversation, I feel.
This is probably the single major drawback of this venue.
Option 1 Rent additional nearby space in the venue and have loads of tables and chairs for people to sit down. Most likely put a lot of the expo stalls in this space as well. As John says, we would have to sacrifice 3 or 4 international speakers to pay for this. Well, not *actually* sacrifice them :)
Option 2 Last year we offered an "Internet Cafe" in the area near the western doors as a sponsorship opportunity. Had someone taken this up, it would have provided seating for maybe 30 or 40 people in that area. That's a lot of people still standing up, but, probably worth doing still, if someone wants to sponsor it.
Option 3 I do like the sound of these bar tables. I will get in touch with the venue and see where we could have some of these. I think it's a really good idea. I'll also look into more seating around the walls. However, this has been discussed in the past and I have a feeling that all the places we are allowed to put seating already have seating. You're not allowed to put them in front of those paintings, for example.
Maxine - can you email me the cost of sponsoring that cafe booth? I may have some contacts that could be interested.
Would you have to pay the venue in order to place some beanbags/cushions in some of the more open areas where people were sitting last year? The beanbags/cushions could be a sponsorship opportunity also...
That's vote up for the tall standing tables from me. I felt glad to stand during the breaks and also enjoyed the social aspect of being around a table. The seating provided by a couple of the sponsor booths (beanbags ftw!) was also a good idea and could be encouraged for this year.
Another vote-up for standing tables
How about thinking laterally - if we can't get chairs and tables due to the cost, why not give away pants to those girls wearing skirts so they can comfortably sit on the ground? :)
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