The event hall creates the atmosphere, imprints a certain state of mind through its architecture and occupies an important position in the list of any event manager. The event hall is the scene where the whole creative scenario of an event organiser develops. Similar to a film director, the events manager needs to find the right event hall in order to imagine interactions, direct the „lightning”, build decorations and choose the event leading characters.

Here are some details to take into consideration when choosing an event hall:

Size: Depending on the number of guests and the nature of the event, the choice lies between a smaller event hall, a ballroom or even a club.

Access/exit routes. It is elegant to have guests enter the event hall through one side, and the administrative personnel, artists, waiters through another.

Lights. Natural or artificial, the light may highlight certain moments of the event. Being able to „play with the lights” is very useful should we desire to hide certain sections of the event hall for a while, in order to shed light on them later on.

Walls and windows. The advantage of walls is that they can be used as support for decorations and can serve as a background for artistic representations. Should the event hall have windows opening up towards  a beautiful scenery, than they should be used without curtains and operate with natural light. The atmosphere created by the natural light together with the view of a forest, lake or seaside can be very helpful, of course, if the activities planned match such a setting and the event scenario.

Ventilation is very important should a smoke show be planned or should we desire to discretely perfume the room. It is well known that a lower level of oxygen in the air leads to states of sleepiness, which is definitely how we do not want our guests to feel at our event!

Height of the ceiling. Should the event involve acrobatic moments where artists perform while hanging out from ropes attached to the ceiling, it is advisable we make sure the chosen event hall has a high enough ceiling, and pit props. A visit at the events hall together with the coordinator for these activities is recommended in order to make sure the technical requirements for the event match those of the hall.

The colour of the walls in the events hall, and the furniture available at the restaurant or hotel.  The bright colouring of the walls will allow for the creation of a warm atmosphere, while the pieces of furniture, ideally matching the hall chromatics will become the first decoration elements to be used by an inspired event manager.

Choosing the right events hall is essential in creating a successful event, and it should be done during the first stages of planning. Further on, what is important is our capacity to imagine the whole event, to integrate parts – interactions, decorations, artists – in a unitary concept, ability that brings us closer to the seventh art, cinematography.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in October 2012 and has been updated for freshness and comprehensiveness.