Conference Tables

Conference Tables

Second to the reception room, the conference room is the most public of company spaces. It is here where personnel gather to deliver or receive presentations and where executives and directors congregate to chart the course of the company. Because of its high visibility, a conference room should be designed to make a statement about the company. Nothing is more vocal in making this statement than the conference table.

The eye of the visitor is immediately drawn to the conference room table, almost as an unconditioned response. There is a certain mystique associated with it and what goes on around it. That is why business owners and facility managers should not approach selecting conference room tables, seating and support furniture lightly, but make decisions that reinforce the image or personality of the business.

Size and shape are key purchasing decisions when selecting conference room tables. For example, a round table suggests equality among participants and might be the correct selection for firms with informal management structures. The 48-inch diameter round conference tables by Florence and Bridgeport are examples, and they can serve double duty as conference desks. Round tables of larger diameter result in inefficient use of conference room space as the area in the middle becomes difficult to reach.

Square conference room tables such as the 55- and 60-inch models by Vetro also suggest equality but like round tables are limited in size.

More traditional are the rectangular office conference tables where the order of seating may or may not relate to a person's position in the company hierarchy. Nominal widths are 48 and 54 inches but the length of the table is limited only by the size of the conference room (or by what fits in the elevator). That is why longer tables are constructed in segments. Conference lines such as Bridgeport also offer "adders" in 6-foot increments that enable office conference tables to grow with the company.

Variations on the standard rectangular configuration are the "racetrack" with circular ends and the "boat shape" where the long dimension flairs outward.

Solid construction is an important purchasing decision as it conveys the image of a solid company. Table top finishes are typically wood grains, while other design elements include edges, slab or leg supports and table edging in matching or contrasting finishes.

Not to be overlooked is the requirement to accommodate technology in a flexible and unobtrusive manner. Power and data lines should not be in the way, either under the table or on the surface. Their ports should be easily accessed when needed but hidden when not. Teleconferencing is another technology provided for in well-designed, well-constructed conference tables.

In addition to office conference tables, other furnishing elements include credenzas, buffets, presentation boards, podiums, media walls, VCR/TV consoles and the all-important conference room executive and guest chairs.

EQA's professional space planners are available to help customers work through all of the elements involved in selecting and installing conference room furnishings.

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