5 Better Ways to Set the Stage for Presentations and Panels

We’ve all attended a conference or panel discussion before. People face a stage with the speakers seated as the main focal point. But setting the stage for presentations and panels doesn’t need to be mundane or cold. There’s no rulebook, besides rules are made to be broken! The stage for presentations and panels should never make your audience lose focus or get distracted, but these are great ways to make your event stand out.

1. Relaxed Sofas

   

   Keep it comfy. A single sofa is still different from five chairs in a line! Put your panelists on a relaxed seat to encourage the flow of conversation. Think about the comfort of your speakers.

   For Look 1: Royce Sofa, Acrylic Coffee Table, Atacama Blossom Pillows
   For Look 2: Tom Collins Sofa, Planter Coffee Table, Black Mosiac Pillow, Neutral Pillow

    

2. Branded Furniture

   

   This is a great way to use the furniture to your advantage. Show off your event on a pre-made decal you can put on side tables or a pair of walls! If you’re live streaming or taking photos, you can put your sponsors’ name front and center. Plus, you can use specific colored furniture to suit the brand or theme.

   For this look: White Walls, Savoy Couch

    

3. Lounge set up

   

   Try an even more laid-back environment by creating a lounge set up. We’ve talked about design elements you can add to your conference event and how that affects the experience for your panelists. You can design an entire living room in the middle of your stage!

   For this look: Sazerac Couch, Black Leather Paloma Chairs, Copper Hourglass Side Tables, White Shag Pillows, Neutral Pillow, Warm Reds Kilim Rug

    

4. Fireside Chats

   

   For a one on one interview or Q & A, try simple lounge chairs with a side table. Watch any talk show, like The Ellen Degeneres Show, and she always sets the atmosphere like it’s two friends chatting by a fire.

   Look 1: Gimlet Lounge Chairs, Brass Cube Side Table
   Look 2: Farnell Lounge Chair,  Copper Drum Side Table

    

5.  Change the Layout

   

   Or just change the layout of the chairs! We arrange the below with the moderator in the middle instead of the on the side. The chairs form a U-shape around the moderator and he can turn back and forth toward the speakers as they answer questions.

   For this look, we used: Mint Julep Chairs, Blue Julep Chairs, Matador Lounge Chair, Black Mirrored Side Tables