Conference Chairs
Conference chairs - which conference chair is the right choice for my needs?
Who doesn't know it? Long sessions, meetings and discussions are not only demanding on the mind and concentration, but also on the body. Our body and health are our most valuable assets, which is why ergonomics should ideally also be taken into account when sitting for long periods of time. A perfectly matching conference chair should guarantee an optimal, ergonomic sitting posture. At the end of the day, it is important that the results of the conference are optimal for all participants. Consequently, it would also be a win-win situation if the backs of all conference or meeting participants were positively impacted after longer or also shorter meeting times. Of course, this also applies to all waiting areas in your offices.
Below we will share our know how from 14 years of experience with you so that you can make the right choice for your conference chair or visitor chair.
WHAT CRITERIA SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT FOR A CONFERENCE CHAIR?
Basically, it is important to question the use and setting of the event, but time is also a relevant factor.
- Conferences (major events)
- Conferences & seminars (one-day or longer seminars)
- Events (celebrations, concerts, lectures)
- Meetings
- Short brainstorming sessions
- Waiting rooms
A visitor or conference chair should offer maximum stability and safety, depending on the use for which the chair is chosen. For large conferences and events, the focus is usually on a budget friendly version where chairs can stand next to each other in a stable way. Row seating is also usually used here, where the chairs are often additionally connected with row connectors. Ideally, the chairs should also be stackable.
Well-upholstered, mostly fabric-covered conference chairs with an upright backrest are ideal for conferences and seminars. For longer seminars or conferences, as already mentioned, it is also necessary to pay attention to an ergonomic sitting posture so that at the end, the participants can also leave the conference or seminar with a good physical feeling.
WHICH CHAIR TYPES CAN BE CONSIDERED FOR VISITOR AND CONFERENCE CHAIRS?
Essentially, a distinction is made between two types of visitor and conference chairs. In addition, there are some other specialities:
- Four-legged-chairs
- Cantilever chairs
- Active sitting
- With integrated gas lift/ automatic return mechanism
- Loungechairs
The four-legged chair
Four-legged chairs are a classic among chairs. They offer enormous stability, are usually very robust and can be used for people of different seat sizes and weights. The four-legged chair is usually covered with durable fabric. These types of chairs also usually have a low weight and are therefore quick and easy to put away. They are ideal for conferences, seminars, celebrations and events and are often available as a set of 4 visitor chairs.
Active sitting
In recent years, active sitting has also become increasingly popular. In this case, a kind of joint or cushion is usually installed under the seat, which enables easy movement in all directions.
This promotes back-friendly sitting and relieves the strain on the intervertebral discs while sitting. Conference or visitor chairs of this type are usually found in the higher price categories.
The loungechair
Last but not least, the lounge chair is the absolute premium model in the visitor chair segment. In this high-quality price segment, the lounge chair is used in exclusive surroundings, for example in airport lounges, bars or in many hotel lobbies. The lounge chair invites you to be together in a cosy atmosphere and is also used for cultivated conversations in the executive office.
The cantilever chair
Cantilever chairs are usually fitted with a frame that allows them to swing freely backwards. This form of seating usually offers a comfortable and convenient sitting posture. For this reason, visitor chairs or conference chairs that are built as cantilever chairs are usually used in smaller meeting rooms, waiting rooms or as visitor chairs in the executive office. Cantilever chairs are usually lavishly and thickly upholstered and made of leather or imitation leather.
Most cantilever chairs are used as visitor chairs for waiting rooms or conference rooms, but they are also a real eye-catcher as designer furniture in the home.
With integrated gas lift / automatic return mechanism
Automatic return means that the chair automatically returns to its original position immediately after standing up.
These chairs are usually premium products made of fine leather or with high-quality fabric upholstery. The chairs are mostly used in sophisticated law firms, practices or executive offices. These are mostly designer pieces of furniture.
WHAT KIND OF MATERIALS ARE USED FOR VISITOR OR CONFERENCE CHAIRS?
The material can usually be divided into three categories for all types of visitor or conference chairs.
- Leather
- Faux leather
- Fabric
The use of materials is usually determined by the use of the conference chair and depends on the location and the environment.
Leather and high-quality fabrics are usually found in appropriate, more exclusive surroundings. With an elegant appearance, they offer a more beautiful living and visually enhancing working environment. However, leather and high-quality fabrics require a certain amount of care and attention.
Faux leather finds its use in places where the budget is tighter, but the sublime expression of leather is still desired or a particularly easy-care solution for the visitor's chair is sought. Faux leather is generally very easy to clean and can therefore be used in places where the users change frequently. Ideal for smaller meeting rooms, but also in places with a lot of public traffic.
Visitor chairs with fabric cover are mostly to be chosen for the robust and versatile places of use. This is usually the classic four-legged chair.
Fabrics and their durability are usually classified according to abrasion cycles. The term "abrasion resistance" quickly indicates the necessary quality for your own place of use and thus the optimum safety for use.
15,000 abrasion cycles for private households in regular use
20,000 abrasion cycles for public environments with regular use
30,000 abrasion cycles for public environments with intensive use
40,000 abrasion cycles for public environments with very heavy use
(Source Wikipedia)
