Marcus Richards
In a sector worth around £20bn to the UK economy, it’s no surprise that the world of corporate hospitality events is a competitive one. There are plenty of event professionals, venues, entertainment, caterers and others vying for a slice of the pie, promising to make your particular corporate event the best ever!
The same can be said when it comes to corporate event furniture hire suppliers. Event furniture is yet another element of event production, contributing to the wider list of equipment hire that is required in order to create a successful corporate event.
So, let’s have a look at the type of event furniture hire you may well need for your upcoming corporate event or occasion.
Reception area furniture
Let’s take things from the start – in other words, the entrance point to your event. You want to make your guests feel welcome from the very outset, and they also need to be pointed in the right direction. Maybe they need to collect a name badge, or simply register at a desk. Why not hire a large reception desk with stools to go behind it, which you could also brand with your company logo or a welcome message. First impressions count!
At the same time, if you want to guide people towards the entrance doors, then you could also hire posts and ropes which are those ‘barriers’ you see at red carpet events. Chrome posts with red velvet ropes provide a great, stylish and professional look, and really make your guests feel special from the word go.
Table and chair hire (and linen)
It’s fair to say that most corporate events will involve some form of dining. More often than not, it’s a formal 3 course affair at a gala dinner, awards ceremony or end-of-year meeting. If this is the case, then you’ll need table and chair hire. Usually, round banqueting tables are called for, and these are available in a range of different sizes, with 5ft and 6ft round tables the most popular, seating 8 to 10 people respectively.
There is a whole world of choice out there when it comes to chair hire, but the most popular banqueting chairs are the classic Chiavari chair or Napoleon chair. These are wooden framed, stackable banqueting chairs which you can normally hire with your choice of seat pad colour, helping you to keep your furniture consistent with your event logo or colour theme. And don’t forget the table linen such as tablecloths, table runners and napkins, which you can also colour co-ordinate. OK, so this isn’t classed as furniture, but it’s essential, nonetheless!
Temporary event bar, with accessories
No corporate event is complete without a bar! Again, we’re fortunate here in the UK to have an abundance of mobile bar hire companies who are able to provide a diverse range of temporary bars, and it’s very much up to you as to what style is going to suit best. For corporate events, modern ZIP bars are often the modular bar of choice as these are professionally styled, with chrome fittings and even LED downlighters on the front, helping to make the bar the focal point for your evening party.
At the same time, you’ll also find that you can rent LED bars, traditional bars, rustic bars and many others, all of which fit together so that you can create bars of the size you need to suit the number of guests that you are expecting. Always go larger when it comes to the bar – no one likes to queue for a drink, and so not only does your bar need to be of the right size, it also needs to be adequately staffed.
And, of course, don’t forget bar accessories such as bar fridges, ice bins, glass washers, drinks trays, and the actual beer and wine glasses themselves – all essential pieces of kit for your bar!
Bar furniture hire
Now that you’ve decided on your bar, you’ll also need to hire bar furniture, unless you are expecting everyone to be standing up all night! Comfortable and stylish bar lounges can be created by hiring poseur tables, high tables and stools, all of which are available in many designs and colours in today’s marketplace.
By the same token, you might also want to hire sofas, armchairs and other lounge furniture so that your guests can relax and socialise in comfort.
Dance floor
And finally, after your guests have enjoyed their meal, and a drink at the bar, it’s time to hit the dance floor. Temporary dance floors usually come in square panels which simply lock together without the need for screws or tools. As a result, you can make the dance floor as small or large as you like, again depending upon the number of guests you are expecting as well as the amount of available floor space at the venue. Different designs are also available, including parquet wood, white, and even black and white chequered dance floors for something different.
So, when it comes to organising your next corporate hospitality event, why not check out these furniture hire options as a starting point. Use the internet to find a company that is local to you, to save on transport fees, and a company that has everything you need, in the style and colours you need – after all, you’ll save time, money and effort in sourcing everything from one location.
All that is left to say, therefore, is good luck with your event planning!
