Conference Center Design

By definition and design, a conference center should be a comprehensive facility dedicated to facilitating business meetings, planning sessions, day retreats, luncheons, and receptions. Normally, business firms opt for conference centers when their meeting requirements exceed their office space.

Designing a conference center to make it an ideal setting for corporate meetings or special events is not an easy task. A successful conference center design depends on two key elements such as streamlining the business meeting and aesthetic and decorative element. Conference centers should be designed according to the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC) standards. They should be designed to accommodate small to large size meetings.

Conference centers dedicated to provide a productive environment for smaller meetings should provide a meeting space to accommodate 25 to 75 people. Conference center would take 700 to 800 square feet of flat space for accommodating a maximum of 75 people. For accommodating more guests, meeting space may extend over an area of 20,000 square feet.

Typically, a conference center should provide lobby, guest rooms, meeting rooms, and conference services. Guest rooms of a conference center should have desks, wireless high-speed internet access, and appropriate lighting and seating.

To create the best meeting experience, conference rooms must be equipped with audio/visual equipments such as LCD projector, DVD player, big screen TV / VCRs, microphones, overhead projectors, slide projectors, and much more. Fax machines, printers, scanners, wireless high-speed internet access, multiple phone lines, and copy machines are also provided as meeting facilities.

For a successful conference facility, center should be furnished with ergonomic chairs, tables, appropriate lighting and acoustics, etc. According to IACC standards, conference centers should provide professional support services and specialized staff to provide assistance in meeting planning and to help customers to realize the objectives of the meeting. Leisure facilities such as swimming pools, bars, and restaurants; dining facilities and parking facilities are also regarded as the essential elements for a successful conference center design.