Conference Room Furniture What You Need to Know

Published December

OfficeFurnitureNOW.com [email protected] Austin 512.448.3769 ● San Antonio 210.849.8330 ● National Toll-Free 888.910.3769 113 Industrial Blvd., Building B ● Austin, Texas 78745 Conference Room Furniture What You Need to Know ©2013 Office Furniture NOW!

Table of Contents Conference Room Overview ...... 1 Used Conference Tables ...... 2 Conference Table Sizes ...... 2 Conference Table Shapes ...... 2 Conference Tables Seating Capacities ...... 5 Surface Materials ...... 5 Laminate ...... 6 Wood …………………………………………………… 6 Stone …………………………………………………… 6 Power and/or Data Ports ………………………………… 8 Grommets & Wire Management ………………………… 8 Videoconferencing ...... 8 Conference Room Accessories ...... 9 Chairs...... 9 Credenzas & Hutches ...... 9 Audio-Visual Cabinets & Carts ...... 10 Serving (Hospitality) Carts ...... 10 Podiums/Lecterns ...... 10 Whiteboards/Presentation Boards ...... 11 Turnaround times...... 11 Shipping, Delivery & Installation...... 11

Conference Room Overview disperse back to their own work space are very efficient. Many your corporate environments would best be served by lots of The role of the conference table has changed in the modern little conferencing areas rather than one big one. business context. Understanding that change and how it has come about will help you choose a solution that best suits NOW! Furniture ©2013 Office your organization’s needs. ©

The conference table that most people think of, a board room conference table, is often the focal point of an organization’s decision-making process. It is frequently where important matters are decided and announced. The style and appearance of a conference table can take on a symbolic importance and play a role in a company’s brand.

However, the meaning and function of a conference table has changed for many organizations. As companies have made their organizational structures less formal and more collaborative, meetings often happen anywhere. A good conference Mobile, modular tables allow for break-out mini conferences. table is still a very useful item for fulfilling this function.

Oftentimes, the conference table in a modern context is less grand. Nowadays, people use conference rooms for mingling, eating, watching videos, and teleconferencing with people thousands of miles away. People may need to use a conference room as a “break-out” room for multiple smaller conference groups rather than one large one.

When the break-out groups have completed their work, moving mobile tables into a large table configuration facilitates group discussion

With the rise of videoconferencing, the role of the conference table has shifted even more.The shape and layout of a well- designed table designed for videoconferencing is significantly different from that of a standard conference table. Modular tables are available that can be adjusted as needed to fulfil In a modern context, conference tables are often casual, like this both roles equally well. multipurpose meeting table. Conference rooms for meetings between people in the top Maybe your limited physical space necessitates that one positions of major companies need to have a table that is room serve multiple purposes, like eating and training, video functional and sets the right tone. Conference tables can conferencing and face-to-face meetings. After a departmental range from elegant tables in high end marble, to contempo- meeting, the same “conference” room may be needed later in rary and functional systems furniture. the day for a training session requiring a different configuration of furniture or different furniture altogether. High end marble and wood topped conference tables can be extremely expensive. If you are located in Texas, and are look- Conferencing or “meeting” need not only occur in a dedicated ing for a premium, centerpiece conference table at a more af- conference room. Conferencing areas near work places where fordable price, contact us for information about our excellent people can quickly come together, discuss a problem, then inventory in used conference tables. Conference Room Furniture - What You Need to Know - Page 1 of 17 Know - Page Need to You What - Room Furniture Conference OfficeFurnitureNOW.com [email protected] Austin 512.448.3769 ● San Antonio 210.849.8330 ● National Toll-Free 888.910.3769 113 Industrial Blvd., Building B ● Austin, Texas 78745 Conference Room Furniture What You Need to Know

Used Conference Tables Used conference tables are a fantastic way to save 30-70% off the price of a new conference table. Used conference tables

may be perfect - undistinguishable from a new one - or have NOW! Furniture ©2013 Office some imperfections. The price reflects the original value © of the table and its condition. We have a great inventory of wood, marble and laminate surfaced conference tables rang- ing from casual and modern laminate selections to elegant boardroom conference tables with marble and granite surfaces. Several copnveniently located small confeence tables may suit your needs better than one big one.

Conference Table Shapes The type of organization you are purchasing for is a big factor in choosing the specific conference table that will be ap- Here’s an example of a beautiful used conference table propriate for your needs. With regards to shape, the organi- currently for sale at Office Furniture NOW! zational structure of your business can play a surprising role Generally, it is only economical to purchase a used confer- in what you will need. For instance, if your workplace is very ence table if it can be delivered locally by truck. Otherwise, hierarchical, you may want to opt for a boat shaped or rectan- delivery costs might make an inexpensive used table cost gular shaped conference table that will have a specific head of prohibitive. However, if you get a great deal on a used confer- the table for the person at the top to occupy. If your organiza- ence table that was very expensive new, it may be worth the tion is more even in its power distribution, a round, square or shipping costs, which might be offset by your cost savings. If u-shaped conference table might be best so that everyone a tabletop is made in multiple pieces, the probability that this can face one another and the table fosters multilateral com- purchase is cost-effective increases. Shipping a huge one- munication. piece table top can be cost-prohibitive. Here is a list of the most frequently used, with their general Conference Table Sizes attributes. Once you determine what furniture you want in your con- AA Rectangular. These are the simplest tables to ference area, you must determine the maximum outside fabricate, and thus usually the most economical for a dimensions of the table as well as the number of people to given seating capacity. be accommodated at the conference table. To determine the maximum dimensions of the table that can fit in your space, first measure the room’s length and width, not count- ing obstructions such as columns and other furniture. The “clearance”, defined as the space between the table and the closest obstruction, increases with the size of the room to give AA Square. These are fairly uncommon and therefore the space the right feel. We recommend using the following there are fewer to select from. For the seating capac- dimensions to determine the largest conference table that will ity, they take up a lot more room than a rectangular comfortably fit in your space. or racetrack table and, in the middle of the table, there is space that is generally unusuable. Size of Room Minimum Recommended Clearance Clearance Up to 16 ft. long 42 in. (3.5 ft.) 48 in. (4 ft.) Up to 22 ft. long 48 in. (4 ft.) 60 in. (5 ft.) Over 22 ft. long 60 in. (5 ft.) 72 in. (6 ft.) AA Round. Round conference tables are pretty, but Conference Room Furniture - What You Need to Know- Page 2 of 17 Page Know- Need to You What - Room Furniture Conference OfficeFurnitureNOW.com [email protected] Austin 512.448.3769 ● San Antonio 210.849.8330 ● National Toll-Free 888.910.3769 113 Industrial Blvd., Building B ● Austin, Texas 78745 Conference Room Furniture What You Need to Know

inefficient. They have only 78.5% of the perimeter of AA Boatshaped. It’s commonly believed that the a square of the same length and width (and thus less curved side provides more seating capacity but this seating capacity), and you have to be careful not to isn’t so unless the curve is extreme. The perimeter of

crowd users’ feet under the table. a boatshaped table is almost identical to a rectangu- NOW! Furniture ©2013 Office lar table of the same length and width but will have © better sight lines and a more graceful appearance than a rectangular table.

A round conference tables sets participants on an equal footing, but is an inefficit use of space. Boatshaped tables are very common for boardrooms. AA Racetrack. Racetrack tables consist of a rectangular center capped with two half circle ends. They have AA Modular. Modular conference tables are usually 12.5% less perimeter than a rectangle of comparable smaller tables of various shapes that can be used in- length and width; this usually means that you lose dividually and/or placed together into a larger config- 1 or 2 people in seating capacity from a rectangular uration. They have the advantage of being extremely table of the same length and width. They are, how- flexible because you can arrange the modular ever, very common and have a more graceful look components into smaller or larger tables, depending than a rectangular table. on the group(s) you need to seat. Seating capacity is determined by how the tables are assembled and arranged. Many modular tables can also be folded up and stored, making them great for a multi-purpose room with ever-changing space requirements.

The conference table on the left is made up of flip tables like these on the right. They make for flexible meeting areas that can easily be set up whereever you need them. Racetrack tables are probably the most common conference table, despite having AA Oval (Elliptical) Tables. The shape of an oval less seating capacity than a rectangular table can vary. Like the racetrack tables, they usually table. lose seating for two people because of the shape of the ends of the table.

during a teleconference while allowing the participants unobstructed views of a screen. Many V-shaped tables allow the wide end to be closed, changing the

An oval shaped table has a smaller seating capacity than a table of the same length that is rectangular because of the narrowed ends.

AA U-Shaped. U-shaped tables seat people along three sides, and have an open center. They usually come in two varieties: squared-end and rounded- end. The seating capacity is determined by the perimeter of the outer edge and the amount of space per Nutcracker tables are great for videoconferencing user. These tables must be sized to the room and are and can be easily altered to be a regular conference table afterwards. often custom built. Send us your room plans and the desired number of users and we’ll determine what works best.

AA Custom Conference Tables. If you have special needs, a custom conference table can be built for you. Large boardroom tables are often customized to our clients’ particular image or user requirements. You can pick materials, décor, shape, inlays of logos and/or decorations, and electronic installations. Cus- tom conference tables don’t need to be expensive. Inexpensive laminate tables, for example, can be customized with a shape and laminate color of your choice.

U-Shaped tables allow easy access to the interior of the table.

AA V-Shaped. This keystone (open “V”) shape is becoming a standard for videoconferencing. The wide end of the table faces the cameras and screen, and is usually not used for seating. This configuration permits each participant to be viewed by the camera Conference Room Furniture - What You Need to Know - Page 3 of 17 Know - Page Need to You What - Room Furniture Conference 4 of 17 Know - Page Need to You What - Room Furniture Conference OfficeFurnitureNOW.com [email protected] Austin 512.448.3769 ● San Antonio 210.849.8330 ● National Toll-Free 888.910.3769 113 Industrial Blvd., Building B ● Austin, Texas 78745 Conference Room Furniture - What You Need to Know - Page 4 of 17 probably the single-most important indicator ofthestyle important probably thesingle-most The material that your conference tabletop ismadefrom is at thetable.for to beperformed thefunction use andyour preferences for how muchroom someoneneeds per person. This will, by ofcourse, thespecificchairs you vary based onanallowance of30incheswidtharound thetable seating capacitiesfor different shaped conferenceIt is tables. Capacities”Shapes &Seating whichgives you adetailedlistof a more detailedreference sheet “Conference Tables: Sizes, you willfind one oneachend).Onpage15ofthisEbook, long tablewillsitten people(foura 10ft. oneachsideand number ofpeopleifonepersonsitsat eachend. For example, sit at aconference tableis:Length oftableinfeet equalsthe A quickruleofthumbfor outhow figuring many peoplecan fieuntrNWcm [email protected] OfficeFurnitureNOW.com or practical reasons.or practical unusually-sized conference tables eitherfor aesthetic A A Other Shapes. Other Unusual tableshapesare available. However, ifyou Conference Tables: Seating Capacities can’t findwhat you want, thesky’s thelimitif you Custom ofshapes, tablescanbebuildinallkinds materials and styling to fit your particular needs. tomaterials fit andstyling your particular Austin 512.448.3769 choose acustom conference table. Surface Materials Surface Some manufacturers makesome manufacturers Some 113 Industrial Blvd.,113 Industrial Building B

● San AntonioSan 210.849.8330 practicality. upscaleyet retain theycanlookvery and/or metaltrim, their They don’t stainandcleaneasily. When mixed withwood are andcost-effective practical for tablesthatuse. getheavy fine wood evokes andstyle. Laminatea very quality surfaces effective at conveying power, prestige andstability, whereas and tone your organization issetting. andgranite Marble are able color choices are in thehundreds ofcolors and Formica, are readily available butcost more. The avail offerings.Other laminates from as Pyonitewell as Wilsonart, laminate. for pages14&15ofthisE-Book See thesestandard conference tablefor you. These areof the60Series Wilsonart laminate colors that we offer when we custom-laminate a At Office Furniture NOW! weofstandard offer aselection colors andeven stone textured surfaces. primary patterns, laminates range from tasteful off-whites, to bold oak alltheway to ebony andmahogany. faux-wood Besides myriad patterns. Wood colors range from blondemapleto red laminate optionsarerary highlydurable andare available in are agreatLaminate surfaces lower-cost option.Contempo Conference RoomFurniture ● brushed steel basesandamaplewood credenza exudes A blacklaminate whenpaired boatshaped with surface, Austin, Texas 78745 This white racetrack laminate conference tablewith maple wood bases melds modernity withtradition.maple wood basesmeldsmodernity What YouNeedtoKnow

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National Toll-Free888.910.3769 sophistication. Laminate Wood - -

Wood’s unique texture and grain character bring depth and from the flitch much like the pages of a book. nature into any environment. The beauty of wood accentu- AA Slip Matched: where the pieces are joined ates any style and adds interest to any setting. The essence of together in the order they come from the flitch, and wood is natural. Both solid wood conference tables and wood

veneer conference tables are manufactured. However, due © to expansion and contraction of solid wood - which causes AA Radial Matched: where the veneer is cut into a table top to warp - few tables are made out of solid wood. wedge shaped pieces and joined together. Most are wood veneer. AA Diamond Matched: where the pattern formed is diamond shaped. Here’s a graphic image1 of some of the above described veneers, as well as variations thereof:

Wood is beautiful and timeless. Like this conference room, if you plan well your entire office

can look cohesive. Wood veneer furniture uses less wood than the same piece Both the type of wood and how the wood is finished can give of furniture made with solid wood. Some projects built using a conference table a very different appearance, because of wood veneer would not be possible to construct using solid the wood grain, the color and the sheen. Wood colors range lumber, due to expansion and contraction caused by fluctua- from blonde to espresso and, when different wood colors tion of temperature and humidity. This is particularly true with are paired together, can give a modern look. Mahogany and large conference tables. cherry look dark and are used in traditional furniture. Some manufacturers use wood from sustainable sources. To In woodworking, veneer refers to thin slices of wood, usually qualify, the wood cannot be harvested faster than it is being thinner than 3 mm (1/8 inch), that are typically glued onto replenished. Some manufacturers offer FSC Certified Wood core panels (typically, wood, particle board or medium-densi- which is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), ty fiberboard) to produce flat panels such as doors, tops and which certifies wood to be from socially and environmentally panels for parts of furniture. The finest and rarest logs are sent responsible forestry. to companies that produce veneer. Making veneer greatly expands the amount of usable wood. While a log used for Stone solid lumber is cut into thick pieces, usually no less than 1 1/8 Stone is available in a rich variety of colors. Given that stone inches, veneers are cut as thin as 1/40 of an inch. Very little is a natural material, it is impossible to guarantee the nature wood is wasted by the saw blade thickness. Therefore, the of consistency in grains, marbling and color. Each new item yield of a rare grain pattern or wood type is greatly increased, made of stone from the same quarry will be different. The which in turn places less stress on the resource. surface feel and texture may be somewhat different as well.

The slices of veneer are always kept in the order in which they Stone can come from exotic places like Italy or Brazil, which are cut from the tree, and are known as flitches. There are a has some of the most striking marbles in the world, as well as number of “patterns” common to veneered work. This refers to from United States’ quarries that produce an excellent quality the way the veneers are laid up. of stone. A key aspect to purchasing a stone surface for your AA Book Matched: where the veneers are opened conference table, whether it is marble or granite, is transport- Conference Room Furniture - What You Need to Know - Page 5 of 17 Know - Page Need to You What - Room Furniture Conference 6 of 17 Know - Page Need to You What - Room Furniture Conference OfficeFurnitureNOW.com [email protected] Austin 512.448.3769 ● San Antonio 210.849.8330 ● National Toll-Free 888.910.3769 113 Industrial Blvd., Building B ● Austin, Texas 78745 Conference Room Furniture - What You Need to Know - Page 6 of 17 table, ofyour you table, canchooseall aspects including: and function. When we helpyou design acustom conference budget conference tableto suityourneedsfor exact style Furniture NOW! candesign andbuildacustom premium or additionto hundredsIn ofstandard conference tables, Office today.the market Here’s ofallthedifferent description abrief types ofstone on logistics. topped conference table, Office Furniture NOW!handlesthe ing thematerial to your workplace. When you order astone- fieuntrNWcm [email protected] OfficeFurnitureNOW.com available ofpatterns. inagoodvariety a premium stone butitisattractive, consistent and complex patterns that andmarbling you willgetwith with granular alsowillnotgetthe structures. Radianz gives similartopolished, stones Radianz alookvery with ahard wearing polymermedium. When cutand componentsselected andthenbondedtogether ground is madefrom into 95%quartz artistically A degree ofconsistency. appearance that hasahigh withastone-like surface engineered stone willsave you moneyandgive you a thatand marbling you willgetwithapremium stone, ments. While, you willnotgetthecomplex patterns be appropriate inmany for businessenviron surfaces of plasticare attractive andhard wearing enoughto vanced over thedecadesandstone substitutes made A colors from emerald green to ochre red A semi-precious stone. emerald green (applejasper).Petrified wood isalsoa can have unusualtones (amethyst) likepurple and They runthegamutoftextures andpatterns, but that seeksto brand andexciting. itself asalluring tance –areally great differentiator for a company semi-precious stones convey glamourandimpor A subtlemarbling with eitherstraight striationsorvery A ellated patterns andcomplex marbling A also have beautifulorganic spotswithoutveining A A A A A A A A A A Samsung Radianz Samsung Engineered Quartzite Semi-Precious Travertine Onyx Marble Granite Austin 512.448.3769 – Often has striking colors, consistent hasstriking cren –Often –characterized by veins although itcan - primarily granules -primarily Custom ConferenceCustom Tables –exotic stone withsometimesvivid –generally abrown orochercolor –Plastics have become quite ad –For an ultra-premium surface, – This innovative product 113 Industrial Blvd.,113 Industrial Building B

● San AntonioSan 210.849.8330 - - - - Conference RoomFurniture dently ofthesurface. you ofbases;often canpickthebaseindepen variety most common ones. offers Eachmanufacturer a A markers! who sitsat thetablecanwrite onwithdry-erase is surfaces Oneofourfavoritelaminate andpolymersurfaces. wood, stone (granite, andmore), marble glass, A A patterns. finishes, likeshiny chrome orbrushedwith different are wood andmetal. isavailable Metal indifferent A ● A A A A Round Disc Base Round Disc TT-Base 4-Column X-Base X-Base Austin, Texas 78745 Base Shapes.Base Materials.Surface Table Size. Materials.Base What YouNeedtoKnow

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National Toll-Free888.910.3769 white isalmostthelimitwhenit The sky board (or Here are photos ofsomethe The mostcommon materials Available materials include black board) that everyone Square (Cube) Base Half-Cylinder Base Cylinder Base -

comes to table sizes, from small to huge. and round to square or U-shaped. You can pick your table size if you order a custom table. However, typical lengths ©2013 Office Furniture NOW! Furniture ©2013 Office

are increments of 2 feet, starting with 4 feet long. i.e. © 4 feet, 6 feet, 8 feet, up to 24 feet long. Typical widths are: • 36 inches

• 42 inches Even small conference tables can be ordered with data & • 48 inches power conveniently built right into the tables. • 54 inches The power/data center is best when integrated into the • 60 inches tabletop, allowing it to close when not in use, for a clean appearance. Even if you’re purchasing a used conference AA Table Shape. You can pick almost anything, from table, it can be retro-fitted with the data and/or power square to U-shaped to V-shaped to boatshaped. ports of your choice. As wireless internet becomes more AA Edge Details. See the last page of this Ebook for prevalent,dataports may not be necessary, but the need for some of the most common ones. When you’re look- power seems insatiable. Having built-in data and/or electrical ing at edge details, these are the factors that should ports obviates the presence of annoying and even hazardous play into your decision. cables. • How rough the edge will be treated? If the edges will have heavy use, it’s probably worth it to pay for a really durable edge. • Will people be leaning up to the edge? Besides making sure to choose a durable edge, you may want to consider that a rounder edge will be Power and/or data grommets can be installed in any table, new more comfortable to lean against than a sharper or used. Many grommets have covers to make them less visually edge detail obtrusive. • What will the edge detail look like with the cho- sen look? If your room is full of ornate furniture, The most common materials used to make power and/or data pick an edge that will go with the decor. ports are aluminum, other metal, and plastic. They come in many technical configurations, a multitude of finishes and • Do you want the edge to match or contrast with many different mounting positions. Here are a few more the surface and/or base? Contrasting edge details examples: will draw your eye to it more than a homogeneous look. Power and/or Data Ports Many of today’s workers spend much of the day out of their offices—in meetings, at impromptu gatherings. Intelligent conferencing solutions, like network access, are essential for productive group interactions.

A tabletop power/data center(s) provides convenient access From left to right are aluminum, plastic and metal power/data for individual users, technical presentations or video confer- grommets, showing the variety of configurations and finishes that are encing—all at the tabletop. available. Grommets & Wire Management Even if you don’t choose power and/or data ports for your conference table, make sure to consider installing well-placed grommets which serve as a conduit for cables to go from the Conference Room Furniture - What You Need to Know - Page 7 of 17 Know - Page Need to You What - Room Furniture Conference 8 of 17 Know - Page Need to You What - Room Furniture Conference OfficeFurnitureNOW.com [email protected] Austin 512.448.3769 ● San Antonio 210.849.8330 ● National Toll-Free 888.910.3769 113 Industrial Blvd., Building B ● Austin, Texas 78745 Conference Room Furniture - What You Need to Know - Page 8 of 17 ogy isalsousedfor telecommuting, inwhichemployees work especially for businesseswithwidespread offices. The technol businessmeetingswithout leaving thedesk, cost face-to-face withdesktop videoconferencingin conjunction to enablelow- time andmoneysavings. Technology suchas VoIP canbe used notice, with tant inmeetingsonshort locations to participate whiteboards. Videoconferencing canenableindividualsindis to share documents, computer-displayed information, and videoconferencingsion ofmeetingactivities, canbeused rooms at different sites.Besides theaudioandvisualtransmis several sites (multi-point) withmore thanonepersoninlarge tween two peopleinprivate offices (point-to-point) or involve Videoconferences can beassimpleaconversation be There are many ways to videoconference: of thepast. mannerthansomeofthemoreductive awkward technologies encing allows peopleto interact inamore effective andpro and onlinecollaboration, videoconferencing andteleconfer With thesolutionsavailable today for visualcommunication raled andneat fashion. top ofatable through thegrommet to apower outletinacor fieuntrNWcm [email protected] OfficeFurnitureNOW.com computer screen controlling andpostinginformation to acommon A camera A A Bottom row: AplastictabletopBottom grommet, row: anunder-table A A A wire wire management trough, &anin-the-table-letg Top Ametalgromet, row: plasticgrommets &awood In avideoorconferenceIn callwithmultipleparties abusinessmeetingwith a monitor and In TV At alaptop usingSkype Austin 512.448.3769

Videoconferencing management option. grommet. 113 Industrial Blvd.,113 Industrial Building B

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------answer afew questions. To your videoconferencing select furniture you mustfirst telepresence. your important much to support designed videoconferencing conference room tablescando viavideoconferencing businessistransacted Much andwell- of thetime” or “frequently”. the respondents withaccess to videoconferencing usedit “all corporate employees showed that, asofJune2010,54% from home. Oneresearch basedonasamplingof1,800 report or plan to use it for important communications,or planto useitfor important you may want situations. you If willbeusingvideoconferencing frequently, acteristics, you canarrive at anacceptable solutionfor most aroom that has favorablepicking lighting andacoustic char in theroom whichyou wishto work in,aswell ascarefully forethought into camera placement andsettingthestage How willyou often bevideoconferencing? With alittlebitof you might come across asdisorganized andunprofessional. thrown together withwires andspeakersvisibleonthetable, aswell.are your important If videoconferencing setupistoo scheme settherighttone you to are convey. working Tables to test whetherthecombination oflighting andpainting sending to themwhileyou makeyour isagoodidea pitch. It a moment to compose theimagethat your camera willbe orwinnewclients,level you businessdiplomacy might take youIf are goingto beusingteleconferencing high to conduct municative videoconferencing session: Here are somekeyconsiderations for aproductive andcom Conference RoomFurniture important components ofvideoconferencingimportant tables. as well asefficient wire management systems are Video, power connections andphonecablepop-up A encing tables? A A to interact with. may onlyseeanoutlineofthepersontheyare trying ontheotherend pointing at them,theparticipant or windows are behindapersonwhilethecamera is A A tor justadistraction? your imageoftheminamoni neckto catch amurky A tables needto match otherfurniture ornot? A ● A A A A A A A Austin, Texas 78745 Do you need dataports builtinto youyourDo need dataports furniture? Would ormobilevideoconfer you likestationary How many peoplewillbevideoconferencing? Is thelight travelling lights If intherightdirection? Is your room well lit? to craneCan you seetheotherpersonoristrying yourDo videoconferencing conference room What YouNeedtoKnow

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Conference Room Furniture - What You Need to Know - Page 9 of 17 ©©2013 Office Furniture NOW! Conference Room Furniture What You Need to Know to invest in some infrastructure to make your outgoing image offset by productivity gained. presentable and effectively collaborative. Aesthetics Once you have your requisite equipment – camera, TV moni- Many manufacturers make chairs specifically to match their tor and microphones, or hookup to standard speakerphones, conference tables and this can be a good option for a cohe- NOW! Furniture ©2013 Office © you’ll be surprised at how useful key furniture elements are in sive look. However, nowadays, this is not the constraint that bringing your videoconferencing setup together. Videocon- it used to be and often contrasting chairs or chairs that are ferencing has come a long way from its inception and you will ergonomic are often preferred over the visual cohesion of see that furniture has evolved to facilitate its use in almost as “matching” chairs. revolutionary a way as the technology itself. Here are a couple of key advances in design that will tremendously improve your videoconferencing setup.

V-Shaped Tables. Traditional conference tables can be made to work but you will notice that they are better suited to someone who is sitting in the room and can tilt their head to either side. When a traditional conference table is captured on camera from a traditional position at the head of the table, what you end up seeing onscreen is mainly just the table and Traditionally, conference chairs matchedthe table for a the profiles of the two people seated closest to the camera. cohesive look. Now, ergonomic chairs are often picked over V-shaped tables eliminate this problem by sitting the partici- “matching” chairs. pants on the outside of the V and pointing the camera in their direction from the end of the open part. Materials Depending on budget and style, there are many office chair materials to choose from, including fabric, leather, wood, metal, mesh and vinyl. Leather is often perceived as the fabric of choice for high end executive office furniture because of its soft hand and durability, but nowadays a good ergonomic chair with a mesh back and fashion forward design may carry more prestige. Vinyl provides a leather look without the high price. Wood chairs often have padding with fabric or leather seats and backs. There is a lot of metal on ergonomic chairs Contemporary designs like modular, nutcracker and V-shaped and whether it has a shiny or brushed finish can change the conference tables (pictured here) are great for video look of these chairs. For more information on chair materials, conferencing click here. Conference Room Accessories What you choose for your conference room accessories furniture is dependent upon the use to which you plan to put your conference room.

Chairs When electing conference room chairs, it is important to consider ergonomics, employee status, mobility, materials, and the aesthetics of your conference room design. Leather conference chairs are prestigous but high quality Ergonomics ergonomic chairs in other materials are also highly regarded. When selecting a chair, make sure you purchase good ergo- Mobility nomic office chairs, built for comfort. Conferences are time Most people prefer conference room chairs with casters, consuming and a good ergonomic chair will ensure the com- enabling them to move and turn easily. There is a range of fort of attendees and help keep them focused at the task at quality in casters and it is important to purchase a chair with hand. Additional costs for a good ergonomic chair are quickly high quality casters to minimize problems with them. Also, Conference Room Furniture - What You Need to Know - Page 10 of 17 Know - Page Need to You What - Room Furniture Conference OfficeFurnitureNOW.com [email protected] Austin 512.448.3769 ● San Antonio 210.849.8330 ● National Toll-Free 888.910.3769 113 Industrial Blvd., Building B ● Austin, Texas 78745 Conference Room Furniture What You Need to Know it is important that the casters match the surface on which speakers and microphones. They can be purchases to match they’ll be rolling. The harder the floor, the softer the caster your other conference room furniture or be bought as stand- and vice versa. alone items. ©2013 Office Furniture NOW! Furniture ©2013 Office ©

The humble but important caster. Most people want Audio-Visual cabinets can be ordered to match the rest of them on conference chairs and, often, on conference your conference room furniture. tables to enhance mobility. Serving (Hospitality) Carts When people are bringing food into a conference room Credenzas and Hutches and clearing dishes away, a serving cart - sometimes called Credenzas are generally used for storage and/or food service. a “hospitality cart” - is invaluable and can be purchased to A credenza can contain a filing cabinet, shelves for coffee match your other conference room furniture. It can be used cups, important papers or a TV. It also is a statement piece, for things other than food, for example, to bring in laptop holding beautiful flowers or corporate mementos. They come computers or papers to be distributed during a meeting. in many sizes and with many internal options. Hutches are often placed above a credenza and provide additional storage space. Generally, it is a good idea to buy a credenza and hutch at the same time you buy your conference table so they are of the same materials, be it wood veneer, laminate or something else. Sometimes, for aesthetic reasons, a credenza and hutch might contrast with the table rather than match it.

Serving cards can come in very handy. You can purchase one to match your other conference room furniture or go more informally with a less expensive option.

Podiums /Lecterns Iff speakers are going to be present and your conference room is large, you might want a podium or lectern. They help the speaker to stay organized and on task, and enable the speaker to convey their message to the audience. Manufacturers build all kinds of conference room furniture that matches each other - from serving cards, credenzas, and There are three main types of podiums: hutches to bookcases and media cards. It’s important to buy a whole set at one time so you don’t face being told an item has 1. Floor podiums which are free-standing, and been discontinued at a later date. require the speaker to stand behind them when they are giving a presentation Audio-Visual Cabinets & Carts Audio visual furniture, which contains audio visual equipment, can be an important part of a conference room in which there is videoconferencing or film watching. They can contain a TV, Conference Room Furniture - What You Need to Know - Page 11 of 17 Know - Page Need to You What - Room Furniture Conference OfficeFurnitureNOW.com [email protected] Austin 512.448.3769 ● San Antonio 210.849.8330 ● National Toll-Free 888.910.3769 113 Industrial Blvd., Building B ● Austin, Texas 78745 Conference Room Furniture What You Need to Know

Floor units are more expensive than tabletop units. If you need an audio system, the podium price will increase substan- tially. Materials used in the construction of the podium, finishes, and customizations can also cause the price of podiums

Whiteboards/Presentation Boards Whiteboards and/or more elaborate presentation boards are an essential conference room accessory. Cabinets for them, made to match your conference table, credenza and hutch, This floor podium is constructed to enhance the look and function of your conference room. easily integrate a computer and other AV equipment into it. Nowadays there are also more versatile and complex paper and presentation management tools that incorporate white 2. Stackable podiums can be placed on a tabletop. boards, tack boards, electronic presentation boards, and stor- This podium will give the speaker flexibility in where age in room-wrap panels that turn your conference room into they can give a presentation, and it allows them to a dynamic center for learning, planning and strategizing. use the audio system more freely. 3. Tabletop podiums are for panel presentations where one speaker sits next to others.

A tabletop lectern is mobile and simple. Sometimes it may be all you need! Podiums and Presentation Boards are often designed to match your other conference room furniture so the Podiums, also known as lecterns, can be made of metal, plas- office will look cohesive. tic, or wood. Wood veneer podiums are one of the most popu- lar choices because they are extremely durable and give the Turnaround Times presenter a professional look. Laminate finishes are synthetic When you’ll get your conference room furniture depends on and usually less expensive. what you order from Office Furniture NOW!

There are many features that a person should consider when AA Items we have In-Stock - Used or New. Most purchasing a podium, including items can be delivered to your office in 1-3 business days. If you have a truck and want to take any furni- A A Wheels that lock ture with you, you can! A A Adjustable heights, AA Quick-Ship Items: 1-3 weeks A A Built-in clock, and AA Special Order & Custom Items: 3-12 weeks. The AA Shelving on the inside more elaborate and/or customized your special order You should make sure that the dimensions of the wooden conference room furniture is, the longer it will take. podium fit your space requirements and that you know your Shipping & Installation audio requirements. You should examine the wattage of the speakers, whether they are wired, or wireless controls, and A key consideration in purchasing an item as large as a confer- if the podium includes a microphone. Inputs, outputs, and ence table is shipping and delivery. For an item that is too power supply must also be considered. far away from the desired destination, the cost of shipping can overtake the price of the item being shipped and render The price of a podium will depend on a number of factors. shipping impractical. A particular concern with large solid Conference Room Furniture - What You Need to Know - Page 12 of 17 Know - Page Need to You What - Room Furniture Conference OfficeFurnitureNOW.com [email protected] Austin 512.448.3769 ● San Antonio 210.849.8330 ● National Toll-Free 888.910.3769 113 Industrial Blvd., Building B ● Austin, Texas 78745 Conference Room Furniture What You Need to Know wood and stone items is whether they can be separated out a mover. into component leaves. If so, they are stackable and much Don’t let the above details keep you from buying the confer- easier to ship and deliver since, while the weight is the same, ence table of your dreams. At Office Furniture NOW!, we deal the footprint is much smaller and they are easier to pack and

with these issues day in and day out. However, be prepared NOW! Furniture ©2013 Office protect for breakage. for being asked about the building and specific office to © Some high-end marble and granite-topped conference tables which we’re delivering your conference room furniture, are carved from a single slab of marble. Moving a whole because these are the details we need to know to install your slab of stone presents challenges with shipping in a vehicle conference table! because an item that heavy must be balanced in the truck. 1 http://www.next.cc/journey/discovery/wood The shape of a table top makes this a challenge because the 2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videoconference marble generally has to be balanced on its side to fit into the cargo bay. Doing this is a delicate balancing act because the slab has to be padded at the bottom so the weight of the stone does not crack it during handling. Also, the box must be secured within the cargo bay so that it does not shift around. Here ends “Conference Room Furniture: What You Need to This means that an entire cargo bay of a truck may be needed Know.” Hopefully, it’s been informative. Attached are the fol- to ship a single-piece conference table. As a result of these lowing: considerations, the price of shipping increases dramatically. AA Office Furniture NOW’s Standard Laminate Colors Another consideration with moving large and heavy items, like conference tables, is installation. It is easy to forget that AA Conference Tables - Sizes, Shapes & Seating Ca- the furniture you are ordering must be able to fit through the pacities parts of the building it must travel through in order to get to AA Conference Table Edge Details: - Custom Options the area where it is to be installed. The primary criteria that We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this E-Book. We have more must be addressed when installing a large item are: in the works which we’d love to share with you. Just send an AA Width of doorjambs and hallways – Are they email to [email protected] requesting them. wide enough for the item to fit through? AA Elevators and freight elevators – Is the elevator large enough for the item to fit inside? Also, is the elevator rated to carry the weight of the item? AA Stairs – Will the piece have to be carried up a stairwell? AA Furniture and other office fixtures that may have to be moved in order for the item to be installed. This is frequently overlooked until the last minute but should be dealt with immediately because delays can cost you money, or, worse, require for the item to be held back until the area is prepared for installation. Factors to consider when preparing an area are:

AA What furniture items will need to be moved? AA Who in your organization will move them? AA Where will the items be stored while your delivery takes place? AA What other fixtures within your workplace might need to be temporarily taken down? These items include light fixtures, doors, or carpets that might trip

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The following suggested seating accommodations are based on the average chair width of 30”.

These figures may vary depending on the end users’ chair width, style Round and base selection. Dimensions Dimensions Seating (In Inches) (In Feet) Capacity 30” diameter 2.5’ diameter 2 36” diameter 3’ diameter 3 42” diameter 3.5’ diameter 4 48” diameter 4’ diameter 4 54” diameter 4.5’ diameter 5 60” diameter 5’ diameter 5 ‐ 6 72” diameter 6’ diameter 6 ‐ 7 Rectangular Boat Shaped Dimensions Dimensions Seating Dimensions Dimensions Seating (In Inches) (In Feet) Capacity (In Inches) (In Feet) Capacity 36” x 72” 3’ x 6’ 6 36” x 72” 3’ x 6’ 6 42” x 84” 3.5’ x 7’ 6 42” x 84” 3.5’ x 7’ 6 48” x 96” 4’ x 8’ 8 48” x 96” 4’ x 8’ 8 48” x 120” 4’ x 10’ 8 48” x 120” 4’ x 10’ 8 48” x 144” 4’ x 12’ 8-10 48” x 144” 4’ x 12’ 8-10 Square 48” x 168” 4’ x 14’ 10-12 48” x 168” 4’ x 14’ 10-12 Dimensions Seating Dimensions 48” x 192” 4’ x 16’ 12-14 48” x 192” 4’ x 16’ 12-14 (In Inches) Capacity (In Feet) 60” x 120” 5’ x 10’ 8 60” x 120” 5’ x 10’ 8 30” diameter 2.5’ diameter 2 60” x 144” 5’ x 12’ 8-10 60” x 144” 5’ x 12’ 8-10 36” diameter 3’ diameter 4 60” x 168” 5’ x 14’ 12 60” x 168” 5’ x 14’ 12 42” diameter 3.5’ diameter 4 60” x 192” 5’ x 16’ 14 60” x 192” 5’ x 16’ 14 48” diameter 4’ diameter 4 60” x 216” 5’ x 18’ 16 60” x 216” 5’ x 18’ 16 54” diameter 4.5’ diameter 4 60” x 240” 5’ x 20’ 18 60” x 240” 5’ x 20’ 18 60” diameter 5’ diameter 6 60” x 288” 5’ x 24’ 20 60” x 288” 5’ x 24’ 20

Bowed Racetrack Elliptical Dimensions Dimensions Seating Dimensions Dimensions Seating Dimensions Dimensions Seating (In Inches) (In Feet) Capacity (In Inches) (In Feet) Capacity (In Inches) (In Feet) Capacity 36” x 72” 3’ x 6’ 6 36” x 72” 3’ x 6’ 6 36” x 72” 3’ x 6’ 4-5 42” x 84” 3.5’ x 7’ 6 42” x 84” 3.5’ x 7’ 6 42” x 84” 3.5’ x 7’ 6 48” x 96” 4’ x 8’ 8 48” x 96” 4’ x 8’ 8 48” x 96” 4’ x 8’ 9 48” x 120” 4’ x 10’ 8 48” x 120” 4’ x 10’ 8 48” x 120” 4’ x 10’ 8-9 48” x 144” 4’ x 12’ 8-10 48” x 144” 4’ x 12’ 8-10 48” x 144” 4’ x 12’ 8-10 48” x 168” 4’ x 14’ 10-12 48” x 168” 4’ x 14’ 10-12 48” x 168” 4’ x 14’ 10-12 48” x 192” 4’ x 16’ 12-14 48” x 192” 4’ x 16’ 12-14 48” x 192” 4’ x 16’ 12-14 60” x 120” 5’ x 10’ 8 60” x 120” 5’ x 10’ 8 60” x 120” 5’ x 10’ 8 60” x 144” 5’ x 12’ 8-10 60” x 144” 5’ x 12’ 8-10 60” x 144” 5’ x 12’ 8 60” x 168” 5’ x 14’ 12 60” x 168” 5’ x 14’ 12 60” x 168” 5’ x 14’ 12 60” x 192” 5’ x 16’ 14 60” x 192” 5’ x 16’ 14 60” x 192” 5’ x 16’ 14 60” x 216” 5’ x 18’ 16 60” x 216” 5’ x 18’ 16 60” x 216” 5’ x 18’ 16 60” x 240” 5’ x 20’ 18 60” x 240” 5’ x 20’ 18 60” x 240” 5’ x 20’ 18 60” x 288” 5’ x 24’ 20 60” x 288” 5’ x 24’ 20 60” x 288” 5’ x 24’ 20 Conference Room Furniture - What You Need to Know - Page 16 of 17 Know - Page Need to You What - Room Furniture Conference OfficeFurnitureNOW.com [email protected] Austin 512.448.3769 ● San Antonio 210.849.8330 ● National Toll-Free 888.910.3769 113 Industrial Blvd., Building B ● Austin, Texas 78745 Conference Room Furniture - What You Need to Know - Page 16 of 17

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